Remot DSB inside sump

SuperNemo · 02/01/2011, 07:35 PM

hi, i have been reading up on a RDSB, which is essentially a DSB thats not inside the sump, such as the 5 gallon method.

my idea is instead of adding a 5 gallon bucket with sand and have it plumbed to the sump. why can't I just but a 1-2 gallon bucket inside the fuge area of the sump. it's currently empty and i am still decide on whether to use cheato or DSB.

My idea is to take 4 medium size containers, maybe 1-2 gallons each and put it inside the fuge. each container (mini RDSB) can be removed and cleaned every 3 months. So each RDSB will remain in the water for one year.

Does anyone think this is a good idea. you get the benefit of a RSBD without having to plumb it externally from your sump. you do lose a little room, but you can stack them together. my fuge is 15" tall, so 6" container and then use eggcrate to build a shelf and put the another 6" container.

what's everyone's though on this idea. Good - Bad. why?

I have some extra Carib Special Grade sand which I beleive is the 1-2mm size sand. Will this size work? i see a lot of talk about oolite, which is sugar size, but not much on the special grade sand.

chimmike · 02/01/2011, 07:59 PM

cleaning them every 3 months will get rid of all the beneficial bactera and start you from scratch again, and could very likely start a new cycle in your tank.

If you do the rdsb, the idea is to leave it alone.

mnavick · 02/01/2011, 08:06 PM

I have a 4" bed in my 55g fuge. Granted it's not a 5g bucket full of sand however it is full of life and have had no issues in 3+yrs (no cleaning or stirring). Used Marco sand when setting up. Just an idea where as I believe DSB are on the "out".

SuperNemo · 02/01/2011, 09:06 PM

okay, then how oftern should the DSB be cleaned out.

why would cleaning 1/4 of the DSB cause a cycle?

Gary Majchrzak · 02/01/2011, 09:09 PM

I sunk a 10 gallon aquarium inside my 75 gallon sump. I only feed it clean water so it doesn't get dirty. Very easy and low maint.

SuperNemo · 02/01/2011, 09:18 PM

gary, thats the same concept for me, but i want multiple ones so that i can remove on to clean while the other are still working. this way i will always have 3/4 of the dsb working and only 1/4 clean.

Gary Majchrzak · 02/01/2011, 09:23 PM

you shouldn't need to clean a rdsb every 3 months or every 3 years for that matter. Set it up so you rarely (if ever) need to clean it.....

SuperNemo · 02/01/2011, 09:34 PM

maybe i should change the schedule to every year.

02/01/2011, 07:35 PM	#1
SuperNemo Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 524	Remot DSB inside sump hi, i have been reading up on a RDSB, which is essentially a DSB thats not inside the sump, such as the 5 gallon method. my idea is instead of adding a 5 gallon bucket with sand and have it plumbed to the sump. why can't I just but a 1-2 gallon bucket inside the fuge area of the sump. it's currently empty and i am still decide on whether to use cheato or DSB. My idea is to take 4 medium size containers, maybe 1-2 gallons each and put it inside the fuge. each container (mini RDSB) can be removed and cleaned every 3 months. So each RDSB will remain in the water for one year. Does anyone think this is a good idea. you get the benefit of a RSBD without having to plumb it externally from your sump. you do lose a little room, but you can stack them together. my fuge is 15" tall, so 6" container and then use eggcrate to build a shelf and put the another 6" container. what's everyone's though on this idea. Good - Bad. why? I have some extra Carib Special Grade sand which I beleive is the 1-2mm size sand. Will this size work? i see a lot of talk about oolite, which is sugar size, but not much on the special grade sand.

02/01/2011, 07:59 PM	#2
chimmike oxygen abuser Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Parrish, FL Posts: 5,089 Blog Entries: 2	cleaning them every 3 months will get rid of all the beneficial bactera and start you from scratch again, and could very likely start a new cycle in your tank. If you do the rdsb, the idea is to leave it alone. __________________ -Mike Tankless wonder Geaux Noles!

02/01/2011, 08:06 PM	#3
mnavick Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Spencer,MA Posts: 176	I have a 4" bed in my 55g fuge. Granted it's not a 5g bucket full of sand however it is full of life and have had no issues in 3+yrs (no cleaning or stirring). Used Marco sand when setting up. Just an idea where as I believe DSB are on the "out". __________________ Mike N. 150g Mixed Reef with 90g&55g Sump/Fuge

02/01/2011, 09:09 PM	#5
Gary Majchrzak Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 41,560	to create a rdsb I sunk a 10 gallon aquarium inside my 75 gallon sump. I only feed it clean water so it doesn't get dirty. Very easy and low maint. __________________ over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors

02/01/2011, 09:23 PM	#7
Gary Majchrzak Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 41,560	you shouldn't need to clean a rdsb every 3 months or every 3 years for that matter. Set it up so you rarely (if ever) need to clean it..... __________________ over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors

02/01/2011, 09:06 PM	#4
SuperNemo Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 524	okay, then how oftern should the DSB be cleaned out. why would cleaning 1/4 of the DSB cause a cycle?

02/01/2011, 09:18 PM	#6
SuperNemo Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 524	gary, thats the same concept for me, but i want multiple ones so that i can remove on to clean while the other are still working. this way i will always have 3/4 of the dsb working and only 1/4 clean.

02/01/2011, 09:34 PM	#8
SuperNemo Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 524	maybe i should change the schedule to every year.

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