Sand bed

[i have crabs]

ive also sucked the sand out of 4 of my 5 tanks with no regrets

[Moogled]

Look at all these converters.

To think of all the fights that were put up in terms of pro-DSB.

[andsoitgoes]

Ugh - This is an interesting debate, and one that I'm VERY frustrated about primarily because my tank is already set up :P

And also cuz I have some wicked nassarus (sp?) snails in there.

What are everyones thoughts on slowly taking bits out each water change until the sand is maybe 1/2" deep?

I don't want go to BB....

[DJKoop]

For those not familiar with a plenum here is an example.

To assemble the plenum follow these directions
1. The egg crate usually comes in 2' x 4' sheets and can be found in most hardware stores like Lowes and Home Depot. Cut the egg crate to size (A pair of heavy utility scissors works well.)
2. Place the Egg Crate panel on a flat surface..
3. Attach the PVC pipe rails to the egg crate using nylon tie wraps (no metal).
4. Attach the PVC pipe ends to the egg crate.
5. Space the PVC pipe supports evenly on the egg crate and attach.
6. Turn the assembly over.
7. Cut a hole in the Egg Crate large enough for the 1" riser tube to fit into. This hole can be anywhere you want it.
8. Cover the assembly with the larger piece of nylon screening and tie-wrap in place. It should hang over the sides.
9. Cut a V-shaped grove in one end of the riser tube with a small saw. This will allow the riser to sit on the bottom of the tank while water moves freely.
10. Cut the screening where the riser tube goes and insert the riser tube with the grove in first.
11. Place the plenum assembly in the tank and center it.
Cover the plenum with approximately 1 to 2 inchs of CaribSea "Seaflor special Grade Reef Sand.
12. Lay the smaller piece of screening in the tank centered. This helps keep burrowing critters from disturbing the bottom layer of sand.
Cover the screen with the rest of the CaribSea "Seaflor special Grade Reef Sand.
13. Install a Power head on the riser tube and run it until Amonia and Nitrite readings are undetectable, then remove the power head and riser tube.

Images:

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t.../PlenumTop.gif
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...PlenumSide.gif

[BCOrchidGuy]

I like sand but there is no doubt it's an area that causes a lot of debate. Right now I'm setting up a tank and I'm pretty sure I'll go BB, I was thinking of some sand in a refugium that sits beside my sump but other than that I think I'll avoid it. If you do go with sand I'd say look at building a coil denitrator and getting it going while your getting your tank settled in.

Doug

[DJKoop]

The main idea behind a plenum is that you run it with a power head in a new system to get your levels straight. After that you remove the riser tube and power head and the empty space under the sand bed is where your denitrafying bacteria live and do their job.

[albert_dao]

You're still not addressing the accumulation of detritus. Nitrate is one of the lesser evils caused by detritus buildup. Other organics/toxins (phosphates, gases) can build up in the presence of large detritus deposits, plenum or DSB notwithstanding.