Sand bed thoughts

[Aquattro]

Troy, the problem is there isn't a lot of long term DSBs to evaluate. So far it's a good thing, with only suspicions of bad things

[SuperFudge]

Originally Posted by reef_raf

Troy, the problem is there isn't a lot of long term DSBs to evaluate. So far it's a good thing, with only suspicions of bad things

Heh, this is exactly why it should make people wonder whats so good about a DSB and the recommendation for one by our peers in using one for the long term.

Its a good thing compared to what though ?

If vs a shallow sand bed, i would think the question vica-versa.....overall, a reward of a just as healthy system with no sandbed, and suspicions of bad things to happen with a continuously degrading DSB...

Some good thoughts here.

[Troy F]

Troy, the problem is there isn't a lot of long term DSBs to evaluate. So far it's a good thing, with only suspicions of bad things

Good point Brad. The reason I hesitated on setting up my DSB was just common sense; eventually a critical mass has to be reached doesn't it? I never doubted the denitrifying effect, I just worried about the long term success. I'm told that there will be information released in the near future that will be very informative and when you see the theory behind it you'll laugh at the simplicity.

Dr. Shimek himself has stated that the best place for one is apart from the main display and also, he recommends recharging your sandbed with detrivore kits yearly. These are two things few of us have the space or capital for.

[Aquattro]

I still think the contribution of a sand bed, as far as plankton goes, is a good thing. I'm not sure how to replace that without a remote DSB. I also don't know that a DSB acts as a sink.....does it? Got proof? Does it reach critical mass? These questions are way over my head, so acting as a sheep is the safest way to go. Certainly, given the time, money and space, it would be great to experiment. But since I have 1 tank that must work, I must follow what works for others. Of course, when all others fail, I fail too, but pioneering isn't my thing.
So, is a DSB bad, good, or indifferent? Really, we don't know.

[stephane]

I have convert my self to DSB last years after many years of keeping my tank bare bottom and I haven't found any real positive effect of it till then
but some negative one so my next reef will be bare botom

[Aquattro]

Stephane, what type of negative effects?

[stephane]

-It take a lot of space in the tank
-look dirty on the glass with all sort of color from green black brown.......
-I realy can't have the flow I want or it made sandstorm and dig hole everywere
-My 10 years old blue damesel play all daylong diging in the sand and splach it everywere on coral (I can't get rid of him he is the first fish I cycle the tank 10 years ago and It'a love story between him and me )
-I have to be realy more carefull when I clean the glass to not scrach it in the bottom
those are the main one It's not big drawback but enought to ask my self why in the world I have put money,and time in this. At least it give me experience

[Michael]

Well...this is one discussion I can't stay away from.
For those people planning to have just a thin layer of sand rather than a thick sand bed...you will get the same problem. Meaning that the ugly red coloring on the sand, and it looking ugly will still happen.
Currently my sandbed is thin, only a half inch, and I still have had the problems mentioned here. I was about to go to a thick sandbed...but now an re-thinking the idea.

-I guess without a sandbed there are certain animals you can't keep...ie cucumbers, brittle stars (although mine stays on the LR, so maybe you coud keep one). For the people having a clear glass bottom, are there any animals you haven't been able to keep (that you wanted to keep)

-If a livesand bed was crawling with animal life, then wouldn't it accomplish its goal of converting harmful substance to less harmful? But I guess it would be like using a canister filter...the less harmful substance would still be in the water, not removed.

-Well, that's all my thought/questions for now. I guess I'll be like a lot of us now and re-thinking the usefulness of sandbeds

Michael

[MitchM]

Originally Posted by stephane

(I can't get rid of him he is the first fish I cycle the tank 10 years ago and It'a love story between him and me )

I know what you mean!

I prefer having a DSB because it more closely replicates the natural reef.
The problems and issues that come along with it teach me more about the limitations of our little glass boxes.

But pratically speaking, I think that a DSB reduces regular maintenance in a reef tank. I too had a Berlin style bare bottom for a few years, and my observation was that the bottom of the tank accumulated detritus and chewed up LR that needed to be vacuumed out. Vacuuming a reef tank isn't what happens in nature. The buildup beneath the rocks was out of proportion, too - WAY more detritus than chewed up rock.

If a DSB is still having detritus build-up, then perhaps the bioload in the tank is too much for the DSB to handle. Deeper isn't the solution. More surface area is. All those DSB critters have to come up for "air" sometime. Get a separate sump/refugium going with nothing but a DSB in it.

Mitch

[MitchM]

Oh yeah....and without DSB's, Em would have to go out and buy a CA reactor!

Mitch