should I use a power head in salt water bucket

virginiadiver69 · 03/04/2007, 11:54 AM

I will be storing about 40 gals at a time in a brute trash can. After initial mixing, will it stay in suspension without constant circulation or should I use a power head for it?

Krazy · 03/04/2007, 11:57 AM

I'd use a powerhead for sure with the airline connected maybe as well

WaterKeeper · 03/04/2007, 12:05 PM

I too use one for both mixing and aeration.

virginiadiver69 · 03/04/2007, 12:05 PM

Will the air bubbles raise the pH too much?

WaterKeeper · 03/04/2007, 12:31 PM

Not at all and they might even drop it slightly in a closed up room that is high in carbon dioxide.

virginiadiver69 · 03/04/2007, 12:34 PM

Thanks waterkeeper.
Can I PM you a question about a DSB

WaterKeeper · 03/04/2007, 12:38 PM

Why don't you ask away here, unless the question will violate the RC User Agreement.

Folks, there are many questions asked on this board and 10 to 1 someone else has almost the same question as you. Just post it for all to see as it is always better to share information. That is the whole idea behind discussion boards.

virginiadiver69 · 03/04/2007, 12:48 PM

Well it is off the subject of my thread but here goes. I have talked with you in the past about setting up a DSB in my new tank, which I have done. I'm now putting together a stocking list. I really like gobies and jaw fish and know that they burrow. In your opinion will this disturb the DSB to the point of releasing "the bad stuff" that will be at the lower levels of the substrate? And what about sand sifters for the top level of thr bed?

WaterKeeper · 03/04/2007, 01:07 PM

I had a Mandy for years in the 30 gallon seahorse tank. Dragonets, like Gobies, like to dig but if the tank is large, like yours, it can support a couple. Since they only dig in a limited area in the course of time they really do not disrupt the bed to the degree needed to really mess up the bed and impede its function.

The real problem is us. Some reefers just can't resist the urge to vacuum and clean the bed all the time. This creates constant flux in the bed and can ruin its functionality.

virginiadiver69 · 03/04/2007, 01:23 PM

Thanks,
What about sand sifters, are they akin to "vacuuming and cleaning the bed all the time" and therefor a no no?

WaterKeeper · 03/04/2007, 02:31 PM

Not at all; if you read the literature on a DSB then you will find that bed movement is welcome and good for the bed, It is just wholesale disruptions that hurt.

virginiadiver69 · 03/04/2007, 02:49 PM

Thanks, you cleared up my last questions on a DSB.

03/04/2007, 11:54 AM	#1
virginiadiver69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Va. Posts: 4,400	should I use a power head in salt water bucket I will be storing about 40 gals at a time in a brute trash can. After initial mixing, will it stay in suspension without constant circulation or should I use a power head for it? __________________ Semi-aggressive mixed reef w/ shallow sand bed 96x30x27 310gal custom acrylic w/ ext. "fail safe" overflow 125gal sump/cryptic fuge w/ 6" DSB 3 400w Plus Rite 20k MH in Lumembrights 2 250w Plus Rite 20k MH in spider reflectors VHO actinic supplementation 2 Tunze wave boxes 2 Tunze 6060 in Tunze Rocks 2 Tunze 6125 Reeflo 250 skimmer Hammerhead return on OM 4 way Aqua controller lll Leviton power panel Deltec Eco-Cooler Randy's Two part 6.5 kw generator

03/04/2007, 12:05 PM	#3
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	I too use one for both mixing and aeration. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

03/04/2007, 12:05 PM	#4
virginiadiver69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Va. Posts: 4,400	Will the air bubbles raise the pH too much? __________________ Semi-aggressive mixed reef w/ shallow sand bed 96x30x27 310gal custom acrylic w/ ext. "fail safe" overflow 125gal sump/cryptic fuge w/ 6" DSB 3 400w Plus Rite 20k MH in Lumembrights 2 250w Plus Rite 20k MH in spider reflectors VHO actinic supplementation 2 Tunze wave boxes 2 Tunze 6060 in Tunze Rocks 2 Tunze 6125 Reeflo 250 skimmer Hammerhead return on OM 4 way Aqua controller lll Leviton power panel Deltec Eco-Cooler Randy's Two part 6.5 kw generator

03/04/2007, 12:31 PM	#5
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	Not at all and they might even drop it slightly in a closed up room that is high in carbon dioxide. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

03/04/2007, 12:34 PM	#6
virginiadiver69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Va. Posts: 4,400	Thanks waterkeeper. Can I PM you a question about a DSB __________________ Semi-aggressive mixed reef w/ shallow sand bed 96x30x27 310gal custom acrylic w/ ext. "fail safe" overflow 125gal sump/cryptic fuge w/ 6" DSB 3 400w Plus Rite 20k MH in Lumembrights 2 250w Plus Rite 20k MH in spider reflectors VHO actinic supplementation 2 Tunze wave boxes 2 Tunze 6060 in Tunze Rocks 2 Tunze 6125 Reeflo 250 skimmer Hammerhead return on OM 4 way Aqua controller lll Leviton power panel Deltec Eco-Cooler Randy's Two part 6.5 kw generator

03/04/2007, 11:57 AM	#2
Krazy Registered Member. Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 2,941	I'd use a powerhead for sure with the airline connected maybe as well

03/04/2007, 12:38 PM	#7
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	Why don't you ask away here, unless the question will violate the RC User Agreement. Folks, there are many questions asked on this board and 10 to 1 someone else has almost the same question as you. Just post it for all to see as it is always better to share information. That is the whole idea behind discussion boards. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

03/04/2007, 12:48 PM	#8
virginiadiver69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Va. Posts: 4,400	Well it is off the subject of my thread but here goes. I have talked with you in the past about setting up a DSB in my new tank, which I have done. I'm now putting together a stocking list. I really like gobies and jaw fish and know that they burrow. In your opinion will this disturb the DSB to the point of releasing "the bad stuff" that will be at the lower levels of the substrate? And what about sand sifters for the top level of thr bed? __________________ Semi-aggressive mixed reef w/ shallow sand bed 96x30x27 310gal custom acrylic w/ ext. "fail safe" overflow 125gal sump/cryptic fuge w/ 6" DSB 3 400w Plus Rite 20k MH in Lumembrights 2 250w Plus Rite 20k MH in spider reflectors VHO actinic supplementation 2 Tunze wave boxes 2 Tunze 6060 in Tunze Rocks 2 Tunze 6125 Reeflo 250 skimmer Hammerhead return on OM 4 way Aqua controller lll Leviton power panel Deltec Eco-Cooler Randy's Two part 6.5 kw generator

03/04/2007, 01:07 PM	#9
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	I had a Mandy for years in the 30 gallon seahorse tank. Dragonets, like Gobies, like to dig but if the tank is large, like yours, it can support a couple. Since they only dig in a limited area in the course of time they really do not disrupt the bed to the degree needed to really mess up the bed and impede its function. The real problem is us. Some reefers just can't resist the urge to vacuum and clean the bed all the time. This creates constant flux in the bed and can ruin its functionality. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

03/04/2007, 01:23 PM	#10
virginiadiver69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Va. Posts: 4,400	Thanks, What about sand sifters, are they akin to "vacuuming and cleaning the bed all the time" and therefor a no no? __________________ Semi-aggressive mixed reef w/ shallow sand bed 96x30x27 310gal custom acrylic w/ ext. "fail safe" overflow 125gal sump/cryptic fuge w/ 6" DSB 3 400w Plus Rite 20k MH in Lumembrights 2 250w Plus Rite 20k MH in spider reflectors VHO actinic supplementation 2 Tunze wave boxes 2 Tunze 6060 in Tunze Rocks 2 Tunze 6125 Reeflo 250 skimmer Hammerhead return on OM 4 way Aqua controller lll Leviton power panel Deltec Eco-Cooler Randy's Two part 6.5 kw generator

03/04/2007, 02:31 PM	#11
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	Not at all; if you read the literature on a DSB then you will find that bed movement is welcome and good for the bed, It is just wholesale disruptions that hurt. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

03/04/2007, 02:49 PM	#12
virginiadiver69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Va. Posts: 4,400	Thanks, you cleared up my last questions on a DSB. __________________ Semi-aggressive mixed reef w/ shallow sand bed 96x30x27 310gal custom acrylic w/ ext. "fail safe" overflow 125gal sump/cryptic fuge w/ 6" DSB 3 400w Plus Rite 20k MH in Lumembrights 2 250w Plus Rite 20k MH in spider reflectors VHO actinic supplementation 2 Tunze wave boxes 2 Tunze 6060 in Tunze Rocks 2 Tunze 6125 Reeflo 250 skimmer Hammerhead return on OM 4 way Aqua controller lll Leviton power panel Deltec Eco-Cooler Randy's Two part 6.5 kw generator