why are we running DSB and is it for the right reasons

[powerreef]

Stircrasy this is they way it works. The bacteria that consume nitrate also consume oxygen. They will only consume nitrates once the oxygen is depleted, so for that you could say it need to be anoxic, BUT, they aer also the first in line and inhabit the zone that lies between aerobic and anoxic. A zone we call anerobic. So as this relates to the DSB thingy we have a 1 to 1 1/2 of sand for the aerobic and then 1/2 inch for the anerobic then 4 inches of anoxic dead zone. So to answer your question nope the nitrogen off gassing does not occur at the bottom of the anoxic zone, it occurs in the anerobic zone.

I have been running a DSB in my fresh water tank for 3 years now but I also have a ton of plants in there which help take the nasties out of the sand bed, could we set up a salt water plant remote bed that would work the same way?

Well most folks call that a refugium and it does do a pretty good job at nutrient removal. However algae cells are very leaky and for every percentage they absorb they leak out a good quantity right back in to the water again. Seagrasses are alot less leaking but also have some light reuqiring needs, but If I was given a choice it would be the grass for sure.

Ryan it all boils down to maintence. If you simply remove the detritus from your tank with a simple Syphoning you dont have to deal with it. Poof its gone, nada, no cycles no problems just gone.


Mike