Help!

MTF7 · 04/21/2013, 10:11 PM

Ok I just started my tank it's been running for about 24 hours now but I was planning on doing a deep sand bed I have about 2.5in in my biocube is that okay or will it cause problems I saw that 1-2 is a shallow and 3 or 4- above is deep sand bed and anything between that is bad I have extra sand and like I said my tank has only been running for about 24 hours so I think if I act quick and put sand in now it won't hurt the established stuff, I also have some egg crate in the sand bed and I plan on getting a BSJ is the crate Ok or does that need to go?

Please answer with you honest opinion as fast as possible!

MARINECRITTERS · 04/21/2013, 10:19 PM

Deep sand beds will ultimately turn into nitrate factories with time, they collect detritus over time and will cause nitrate issues.
I would aim for a one inch sand bed, no issues there. You can remove it as your tank is not established.
Not too sure about the eggcrate though.

MTF7 · 04/21/2013, 10:27 PM

How long would you say until the DSB becomes a nitrate factory and what about like sand sifting critters ( I know critters isn't the right term just many of them and I haven't decided yet)

MTF7 · 04/21/2013, 10:27 PM

Oh and what about the blue spotted jawfish?

stingythingy45 · 04/22/2013, 06:46 AM

Your tank is only 24 hrs. old.It still needs to cycle.So adding more sand will not hurt anything.
BTW,I have a DSB in my 90 now for over 5 years now with no "nitrate factory".
Now if it was crushed coral,I would have a problem.

Oh,also have egg crate under the sand as well.

kismetsh · 04/22/2013, 06:52 AM

There isn't a tremendous amount of long term success with BSJ kept at typical reef tank temps. They come from cooler waters and tend to do better at lower temps.

If you really want a jawfish a yellowhead may be a better choice.

reef1906 · 04/22/2013, 06:56 AM

just leave your sand bed where it is. let your tank cycle and have fun. don't stress over particulars like this. Its only been 24 hrs !!!!!!! Remember, have fun.

thegrun · 04/22/2013, 06:57 AM

A deep sand bed will not increase your nitrates, just the opposite lower them. That said the minimum depth of a deep sand bed is 4", but I would strongly recommend 5"-6". There is maintenance and some small risks associated with a deep sand bed, I would read up on them before deciding if a DSB is right for you. As posted above adding more sand now is not an issue.

MARINECRITTERS · 04/22/2013, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegrun

A deep sand bed will not increase your nitrates, just the opposite lower them. That said the minimum depth of a deep sand bed is 4", but I would strongly recommend 5"-6". There is maintenance and some small risks associated with a deep sand bed, I would read up on them before deciding if a DSB is right for you. As posted above adding more sand now is not an issue.

They do have draw backs though.

MTF7 · 02/10/2014, 06:38 PM

It's going to be a year after my tank has started with my DSB, and there has been no problems at all the only thing close to a nitrate factory (not actually real) is when I rearranged my rock my nitrates shot wayyyy up but were actually pretty quickly consumed within 2 hours of my disturbing the sandbed it went from ( low range) 5.0- 10 all the way back down to in between 0-2.5 so I was relived but still changed the water the next day ( I was stupid and took water out then moved my rock rather than move rock then change water but it's all good now!

04/21/2013, 10:11 PM	#1
MTF7 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Illinois Posts: 285	Help! Ok I just started my tank it's been running for about 24 hours now but I was planning on doing a deep sand bed I have about 2.5in in my biocube is that okay or will it cause problems I saw that 1-2 is a shallow and 3 or 4- above is deep sand bed and anything between that is bad I have extra sand and like I said my tank has only been running for about 24 hours so I think if I act quick and put sand in now it won't hurt the established stuff, I also have some egg crate in the sand bed and I plan on getting a BSJ is the crate Ok or does that need to go? Please answer with you honest opinion as fast as possible!

04/21/2013, 10:19 PM	#2
MARINECRITTERS Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 1,525	Deep sand beds will ultimately turn into nitrate factories with time, they collect detritus over time and will cause nitrate issues. I would aim for a one inch sand bed, no issues there. You can remove it as your tank is not established. Not too sure about the eggcrate though. __________________ MarineCritters, life in the sea is superb Current Tank Info: 91 Gallon Reef

04/22/2013, 06:46 AM	#5
stingythingy45 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: MA Posts: 3,296	Your tank is only 24 hrs. old.It still needs to cycle.So adding more sand will not hurt anything. BTW,I have a DSB in my 90 now for over 5 years now with no "nitrate factory". Now if it was crushed coral,I would have a problem. Oh,also have egg crate under the sand as well. __________________ Bob Current Tank Info: 90 gallon,mixed Reef,2-250 watt Optix 3 pendants(Phoenix 14K)2-54 watt T5 Super actnics ,ASM G-2 Gate/recirc mods,70 gal. basement sump,20L ref

04/22/2013, 06:52 AM	#6
kismetsh Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NC Posts: 169	There isn't a tremendous amount of long term success with BSJ kept at typical reef tank temps. They come from cooler waters and tend to do better at lower temps. If you really want a jawfish a yellowhead may be a better choice. __________________ KC Current Tank Info: 29g, attached 20g display refugium/macro tank

04/22/2013, 06:56 AM	#7
reef1906 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Saint Cloud, FL. Posts: 72	just leave your sand bed where it is. let your tank cycle and have fun. don't stress over particulars like this. Its only been 24 hrs !!!!!!! Remember, have fun. __________________ Marcus Current Tank Info: garage reef with chiller

04/21/2013, 10:27 PM	#3
MTF7 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Illinois Posts: 285	How long would you say until the DSB becomes a nitrate factory and what about like sand sifting critters ( I know critters isn't the right term just many of them and I haven't decided yet)

04/22/2013, 06:57 AM	#8
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	A deep sand bed will not increase your nitrates, just the opposite lower them. That said the minimum depth of a deep sand bed is 4", but I would strongly recommend 5"-6". There is maintenance and some small risks associated with a deep sand bed, I would read up on them before deciding if a DSB is right for you. As posted above adding more sand now is not an issue.

02/10/2014, 06:38 PM	#10
MTF7 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Illinois Posts: 285	It's going to be a year after my tank has started with my DSB, and there has been no problems at all the only thing close to a nitrate factory (not actually real) is when I rearranged my rock my nitrates shot wayyyy up but were actually pretty quickly consumed within 2 hours of my disturbing the sandbed it went from ( low range) 5.0- 10 all the way back down to in between 0-2.5 so I was relived but still changed the water the next day ( I was stupid and took water out then moved my rock rather than move rock then change water but it's all good now!