dsb, or no dsb

jong101 · 04/02/2009, 09:59 PM

So i set moved tanks probably 4 months ago at this point, and when doing so, i set the tank up initially w/o a sand bed, just lined with eggcrate and about 80lbs of live rock. i have 120lbs of sand ready to be added for a deep sand bed but at this point everything seems perfect. my params are great, coral looks the best i have ever had it, and am afraid that adding the dsb is just gonna cause problems. I need some input on what to do, please anyone with experience in the bb vs dsb debate, help me out.

jong101 · 04/03/2009, 01:26 AM

anyone?

cloak · 04/03/2009, 01:45 AM

Check this out.

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...5&pagenumber=1

crvz · 04/03/2009, 05:19 AM

well, regardless of dsb vs. bb, if your tank is doing great and corals have never looked better, why are you now itching to change anything?

redfishsc · 04/03/2009, 05:50 AM

Personally, if it ain't broke, don't fix it

I would also prefer to put the DSB in a remote location, like a sump or refugium--- not the main tank.

That being said, if you aren't having nitrate problems, you'd probably be just as well by adding a refugium with macro/chaeto and some rock rubble for amphipods and such, and to provide some extra nutrient export if you think you'd need it.

jong101 · 04/03/2009, 05:03 PM

yea, i am planning on adding a chaeto grow area, but that answers my question, i guess if its not broke dont fix it.

Anemonebuff · 04/03/2009, 05:11 PM

I had a DSB in the main tank and it was a pain to stop the sugar sized sand from going all over, usually ending up in my sump. It also became a nutrient sink. I have been removing it over the last 5 months and the tank is reacting beautifully. In the future I will add one on as a remote DSB.

Like stated above, if it ain't broke do not fix it.

jong101 · 04/03/2009, 05:13 PM

well, setting up a remote dsb is beneficial from what i have read, but would you do it inline from your overflow, or from a pump?

Alaskan Reefer · 04/04/2009, 01:02 AM

I've been BB for about 3 months and have had the same experience with coral (looks best ever) and parameters (easy to maintain and so clean). The tank as a whole is not quite as pretty as when I've had sand, but I barely notice the Starboard my eyes are on my colored sticks and fish -- which are doing awesome. The amount of flow you can pump through a BB does wonders for a tank. Eggcrate is what I had under my sand as well, with just that I'd just caution about it being a trap for detritus -- for the long run clear it out and go straight on the glass or on some HDPE.

madadi · 04/04/2009, 01:53 AM

when done right, a DSB should not be a detritus trap. i have a huge DSB in my sump and the sand is always clean but full of life. i don't use sump socks. its just a matter of getting the right amount of flow. i hate the look of DSB in a main tank though. i just have an inch or two of sand in the there.

hottuna · 04/04/2009, 04:32 AM

look in the "advanced" topics section ...discusses new nitrate theory and says a medium depth bed is better..

04/02/2009, 09:59 PM	#1
jong101 user Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: huntington, ny Posts: 379	dsb, or no dsb So i set moved tanks probably 4 months ago at this point, and when doing so, i set the tank up initially w/o a sand bed, just lined with eggcrate and about 80lbs of live rock. i have 120lbs of sand ready to be added for a deep sand bed but at this point everything seems perfect. my params are great, coral looks the best i have ever had it, and am afraid that adding the dsb is just gonna cause problems. I need some input on what to do, please anyone with experience in the bb vs dsb debate, help me out.

04/03/2009, 01:26 AM	#2
jong101 user Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: huntington, ny Posts: 379	anyone? __________________ Jon G. Current Tank Info: 144 half circle, 40g sump, 2x250 lumen brite's, np biopellets. 20x20x9.5 frag tank w/ dual 1" overflows

04/03/2009, 05:19 AM	#4
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	well, regardless of dsb vs. bb, if your tank is doing great and corals have never looked better, why are you now itching to change anything? __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

04/03/2009, 05:50 AM	#5
redfishsc Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 3,696	Personally, if it ain't broke, don't fix it I would also prefer to put the DSB in a remote location, like a sump or refugium--- not the main tank. That being said, if you aren't having nitrate problems, you'd probably be just as well by adding a refugium with macro/chaeto and some rock rubble for amphipods and such, and to provide some extra nutrient export if you think you'd need it. __________________ "The measure of a life is not its duration but its donation." Corrie Ten Boom “The tyrant dies and his rule is over, the martyr dies and his rule begins” -- Søren Kierkegaard Current Tank Info: ghetto grad school reef.....11g rimless tank, 36X9X9, lit by Cree and Rebels scobbled together. Stocked mostly with free stuff I got from panhandling my fellow reefers.

04/03/2009, 05:03 PM	#6
jong101 user Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: huntington, ny Posts: 379	yea, i am planning on adding a chaeto grow area, but that answers my question, i guess if its not broke dont fix it. __________________ Jon G. Current Tank Info: 144 half circle, 40g sump, 2x250 lumen brite's, np biopellets. 20x20x9.5 frag tank w/ dual 1" overflows

04/03/2009, 01:45 AM	#3
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	Check this out. http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...5&pagenumber=1

04/03/2009, 05:11 PM	#7
Anemonebuff Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: LI,NY Posts: 3,877	I had a DSB in the main tank and it was a pain to stop the sugar sized sand from going all over, usually ending up in my sump. It also became a nutrient sink. I have been removing it over the last 5 months and the tank is reacting beautifully. In the future I will add one on as a remote DSB. Like stated above, if it ain't broke do not fix it.

04/03/2009, 05:13 PM	#8
jong101 user Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: huntington, ny Posts: 379	well, setting up a remote dsb is beneficial from what i have read, but would you do it inline from your overflow, or from a pump? __________________ Jon G. Current Tank Info: 144 half circle, 40g sump, 2x250 lumen brite's, np biopellets. 20x20x9.5 frag tank w/ dual 1" overflows

04/04/2009, 01:02 AM	#9
Alaskan Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,360	I've been BB for about 3 months and have had the same experience with coral (looks best ever) and parameters (easy to maintain and so clean). The tank as a whole is not quite as pretty as when I've had sand, but I barely notice the Starboard my eyes are on my colored sticks and fish -- which are doing awesome. The amount of flow you can pump through a BB does wonders for a tank. Eggcrate is what I had under my sand as well, with just that I'd just caution about it being a trap for detritus -- for the long run clear it out and go straight on the glass or on some HDPE. __________________ Unattended children will be given double shot espresso and a free puppy. Current Tank Info: 125g FOWLR -- Conversion Back To SPS In Progress

04/04/2009, 01:53 AM	#10
madadi ReefOG Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Morton grove, IL Posts: 3,976	when done right, a DSB should not be a detritus trap. i have a huge DSB in my sump and the sand is always clean but full of life. i don't use sump socks. its just a matter of getting the right amount of flow. i hate the look of DSB in a main tank though. i just have an inch or two of sand in the there. __________________ -~adrian~- LETS TRADE YUMAS Current Tank Info: Glass box.

04/04/2009, 04:32 AM	#11
hottuna Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,248	look in the "advanced" topics section ...discusses new nitrate theory and says a medium depth bed is better.. __________________ HotTuna