Sand bed depth preferation or requirement?

Chronicj7 · 01/02/2010, 06:42 PM

When I started my tank I liked the look of a shallow sand bed. Now that I've gotten my hands wet, I've been thinking of making it deeper. It's only about 1' deep now. My question is how would I go about adding more? I don't want to cover the existing bed and I do have livestock in my tank. I will also be moving within a year and am kind of scared about moving my tank. Maybe I should hold off until then to add the new sand? Any suggestions?

arrowheadpuffer · 01/02/2010, 07:00 PM

I would wait, you dont want to cover your existing bed. Also, personally, I would not put a DSB in the display tank, too much solid waste from the fish collecting. Consider a remote DSB in a fuge or bucket.

just my $0.02

sedor · 01/02/2010, 07:02 PM

+1 on the remote sand bed. Basically just plumb a 5G bucket with 10" or so of sand in it into the system. This way it can be removed and cleaned etc and it doesn't look ugly in your tank.

Chronicj7 · 01/03/2010, 02:45 AM

So the sand is just there to help with filtration. You guys aren't saying it is exactly required though, correct? My water parameters look terrific right now with my shallow bed. /shrug.

fox2589 · 01/03/2010, 02:48 AM

correct(not required there are many barebottom systems),most everyone has it for looks..but it does help with filtration as well..most people with barebottom systems have some sort of remote fuge or DSB as well..-drew

magnificentpeon · 01/03/2010, 03:30 AM

if your water parameters are excellent now i absolutely would wait until you move before adding any sand to the display. also i wouldnt make the bed too deep either as was previously mentioned, organics can accumulate in it creating more of a mess. i wouldnt make it any deeper than 2"-2 1/2". having a fuge with a dsb is a different ballgame though. either way with your water being good, theres no rush.

01/02/2010, 06:42 PM	#1
Chronicj7 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 353	Sand bed depth preferation or requirement? When I started my tank I liked the look of a shallow sand bed. Now that I've gotten my hands wet, I've been thinking of making it deeper. It's only about 1' deep now. My question is how would I go about adding more? I don't want to cover the existing bed and I do have livestock in my tank. I will also be moving within a year and am kind of scared about moving my tank. Maybe I should hold off until then to add the new sand? Any suggestions?

01/02/2010, 07:00 PM	#2
arrowheadpuffer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: CA Posts: 396	I would wait, you dont want to cover your existing bed. Also, personally, I would not put a DSB in the display tank, too much solid waste from the fish collecting. Consider a remote DSB in a fuge or bucket. just my $0.02 __________________ -arrowhead Current Tank Info: 90g

01/02/2010, 07:02 PM	#3
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	+1 on the remote sand bed. Basically just plumb a 5G bucket with 10" or so of sand in it into the system. This way it can be removed and cleaned etc and it doesn't look ugly in your tank. __________________ Ryan

01/03/2010, 02:48 AM	#5
fox2589 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Indiana Posts: 557	correct(not required there are many barebottom systems),most everyone has it for looks..but it does help with filtration as well..most people with barebottom systems have some sort of remote fuge or DSB as well..-drew __________________ Back in the game.and no its not the first time haha. Current Tank Info: 40 breeder,20 gallon sump,bubble magus nac 6,eheim 1250 return,175 halide on lumenarc mini.

01/03/2010, 03:30 AM	#6
magnificentpeon Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: milwaukee Posts: 5	if your water parameters are excellent now i absolutely would wait until you move before adding any sand to the display. also i wouldnt make the bed too deep either as was previously mentioned, organics can accumulate in it creating more of a mess. i wouldnt make it any deeper than 2"-2 1/2". having a fuge with a dsb is a different ballgame though. either way with your water being good, theres no rush. __________________ half man, half amazing. Current Tank Info: 75 mixed reef, metal halide/vho lighting, etss skimming, fuge.

01/03/2010, 02:45 AM	#4
Chronicj7 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 353	So the sand is just there to help with filtration. You guys aren't saying it is exactly required though, correct? My water parameters look terrific right now with my shallow bed. /shrug.