How deep is too deep?

MikePowell · 09/22/2007, 02:45 PM

What would the benificial limit of depth on a sand bed. I know some people go with up to 6 inches, but would deeper be better or worse?

seastar12 · 09/22/2007, 02:53 PM

I've heard that deeper is worse. I think it harbors nitrates. Of course the bigger the tank the deeper the sand bed can be. For example, you could go much deeper on a 500 gallon than a 12 gallon nano cube.

wrott · 09/22/2007, 03:20 PM

Isn't the purpose of "depth" to create an anaerobic zone to harbor bacteria to convert nitrate to nitrogen? The worry comes from saturation of bed w/ phosphate, sulfur,..
To answer your question, the deeper the better=less oxygen.

m2434 · 09/22/2007, 06:28 PM

My main worry with DSB's is that anaerobic areas can go bad and produce hydrogen sulfide. If there are just small anaerobic pockets, this would not be a big worry, but the more anaerobic area, the more chance for HS. If you get any significant amount of HS in you tank everything could die.... Don't get me wrong, I think there is something to be said for the denitrification that goes on in DSB, but be CAREFULL! I don't know any exact number, but under 6 inches is probably safe (I like 4" myself).

Roger928 · 09/22/2007, 06:28 PM

Great reading here:

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/deepsandbeds.htm

09/22/2007, 02:45 PM	#1
MikePowell Moved On Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Miami,FL Posts: 1,141	How deep is too deep? What would the benificial limit of depth on a sand bed. I know some people go with up to 6 inches, but would deeper be better or worse?

09/22/2007, 03:20 PM	#3
wrott Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,912	Isn't the purpose of "depth" to create an anaerobic zone to harbor bacteria to convert nitrate to nitrogen? The worry comes from saturation of bed w/ phosphate, sulfur,.. To answer your question, the deeper the better=less oxygen. __________________ OK, but where does the meat go! ------------------------------------------------ 120g SPS, 125g mix, 56g FOWLR, 20g qt

09/22/2007, 06:28 PM	#5
Roger928 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Prescott Valley, AZ Posts: 296	Great reading here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/deepsandbeds.htm __________________ Always quarantine. You never know where that fish has been. Current Tank Info: 90 and 120 mixed reef

09/22/2007, 02:53 PM	#2
seastar12 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 245	I've heard that deeper is worse. I think it harbors nitrates. Of course the bigger the tank the deeper the sand bed can be. For example, you could go much deeper on a 500 gallon than a 12 gallon nano cube.

09/22/2007, 06:28 PM	#4
m2434 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 2,171	My main worry with DSB's is that anaerobic areas can go bad and produce hydrogen sulfide. If there are just small anaerobic pockets, this would not be a big worry, but the more anaerobic area, the more chance for HS. If you get any significant amount of HS in you tank everything could die.... Don't get me wrong, I think there is something to be said for the denitrification that goes on in DSB, but be CAREFULL! I don't know any exact number, but under 6 inches is probably safe (I like 4" myself).