Disposable DSB?

iwishtofish · 01/01/2010, 08:49 AM

Has anyone ever put a "disposable" DSB in their fuge? I'm wondering if placing a tub of sand directly in the fuge would be a worthwhile idea, as it could be removed easily when it either gets old or is suspected of causing problems. I'm thinking it might be better than siphoning out an old sand bed, which could potentially release nasties during that process.

Has anyone gone this route?

theyammieguy · 01/01/2010, 09:57 AM

I think if you had ball valves and unions on the drain and return lines, you could isolate the sump and siphon out the sand with no ill effects. An acrylic tub made to slide between the baffles in the sump seems like it would work.

sedor · 01/01/2010, 10:03 AM

A better way of doing this would be to use a 5G bucket basically plumbed into the system. The sand does not need to be constantly stirred like a filter because with a DSB in the DT it sits pretty still as well. So really all you need is a way for the water to come in and then go back out. Doing this will allow you to simply remove the bucket from the system and add a new one, or clean the sand etc whenever you want. Gives you the benefit of a DSB without the risk of it going nuclear on your DT

theyammieguy · 01/01/2010, 10:05 AM

Is there anything in a DSB that requires light?

elegance coral · 01/01/2010, 10:19 AM

What are you wanting the DSB to do for you?

iwishtofish · 01/01/2010, 10:27 AM

Thanks for the great suggestions, everyone!

Quote:

Originally Posted by elegance coral

What are you wanting the DSB to do for you?

I'd like to use it for nitrate reduction.

elegance coral · 01/01/2010, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iwishtofish

Thanks for the great suggestions, everyone!

I'd like to use it for nitrate reduction.

If that's your only goal, the DSB doesn't have to be disposable. You can keep it as long as you like. You just have to keep it clean. It's not the sand (the tiny particles of calcium carbonate) that goes bad. It's the accumulation of rotting organic matter (detritus) in the sand that causes it to go bad. If you use a gravel vac and clean a portion of the sand on occasion, detritus doesn't have a chance to build up to problem causing levels, and the sand remains functional until it simply dissolves away.

GlassReef · 01/01/2010, 10:55 AM

I just set up a frag tank, a couple of days ago, with a removeable DSB divider made of acrylic:

iwishtofish · 01/01/2010, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elegance coral

If that's your only goal, the DSB doesn't have to be disposable. You can keep it as long as you like. You just have to keep it clean. It's not the sand (the tiny particles of calcium carbonate) that goes bad. It's the accumulation of rotting organic matter (detritus) in the sand that causes it to go bad. If you use a gravel vac and clean a portion of the sand on occasion, detritus doesn't have a chance to build up to problem causing levels, and the sand remains functional until it simply dissolves away.

elegance coral, to what depth might the sand bed become fouled with detritus and need to be cleaned?

iwishtofish · 01/01/2010, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlassReef

I just set up a frag tank, a couple of days ago, with a removeable DSB divider made of acrylic:

That's a clever setup, GlassReef! Thanks for sharing.

lordofthereef · 01/01/2010, 11:22 AM

I know plenty of people use buckets. Same concept really, if I am understanding your goals correctly.

elegance coral · 01/01/2010, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iwishtofish

elegance coral, to what depth might the sand bed become fouled with detritus and need to be cleaned?

It depends on several factors like, grain size, time between cleaning, amount of detritus produced by the system........... I simply stick the gravel vac all the way to the bottom, pull it up, and let the sand fall out while the detritus leaves the system through the hose. Then I move over a little and do it again. If you do this when you do water changes, the sand will remain clean and white for years on end. If you have a large sand bed, you may only be able to clean a small portion at a time. Just clean a different section at the next water change and you should be good.

gws76 · 01/01/2010, 11:49 AM

Here's an example of how I did my DSB's in the sump. Just an example, take it for what it is.
There are two DSB's with mangroves and they are 6 inches deep. Pic is from when I first set the tank up. Those mangroves are about two foot tall now and healthy.

Here are the other 3 DSB's in the bottom of the sump. I cut down 5 gallon pails to 8-9 inches tall them filled them with a mixture of sugar fine, medium, and course sand.

I like the way each DSB is set up in my tank. If I ever need to move them for some unknown reason, it will be simple.

widmer · 01/01/2010, 12:49 PM

You may be interested in my thread:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1759856

iwishtofish · 01/01/2010, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elegance coral

It depends on several factors like, grain size, time between cleaning, amount of detritus produced by the system........... I simply stick the gravel vac all the way to the bottom, pull it up, and let the sand fall out while the detritus leaves the system through the hose. Then I move over a little and do it again. If you do this when you do water changes, the sand will remain clean and white for years on end. If you have a large sand bed, you may only be able to clean a small portion at a time. Just clean a different section at the next water change and you should be good.

Thank you, elegance coral.

iwishtofish · 01/01/2010, 07:38 PM

gws76, that's a handy way of doing things. Everything is like a removable unit, it seems to me. Very nice!

widmer, I enjoyed reading that - very helpful.

01/01/2010, 08:49 AM	#1
iwishtofish Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 4,949	Disposable DSB? Has anyone ever put a "disposable" DSB in their fuge? I'm wondering if placing a tub of sand directly in the fuge would be a worthwhile idea, as it could be removed easily when it either gets old or is suspected of causing problems. I'm thinking it might be better than siphoning out an old sand bed, which could potentially release nasties during that process. Has anyone gone this route?

01/01/2010, 09:57 AM	#2
theyammieguy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 1,691	I think if you had ball valves and unions on the drain and return lines, you could isolate the sump and siphon out the sand with no ill effects. An acrylic tub made to slide between the baffles in the sump seems like it would work. __________________ "Ya'll can go to hell, I'm going to Texas". David Crockett. 12g JBJ deluxe JBJ viper 70w, maxi jet 900, Koralia nano, two false percs, softies, LPS, and SPS, about 25# LR and 2"-3" SB. Running since 3/22/07. Soon to add sump with skimmer Click my home page for pictures. 40g breeder upgrade in progress. Planning a 60g cube FOWLR.

01/01/2010, 10:03 AM	#3
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	A better way of doing this would be to use a 5G bucket basically plumbed into the system. The sand does not need to be constantly stirred like a filter because with a DSB in the DT it sits pretty still as well. So really all you need is a way for the water to come in and then go back out. Doing this will allow you to simply remove the bucket from the system and add a new one, or clean the sand etc whenever you want. Gives you the benefit of a DSB without the risk of it going nuclear on your DT __________________ Ryan

01/01/2010, 10:05 AM	#4
theyammieguy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 1,691	Is there anything in a DSB that requires light? __________________ "Ya'll can go to hell, I'm going to Texas". David Crockett. 12g JBJ deluxe JBJ viper 70w, maxi jet 900, Koralia nano, two false percs, softies, LPS, and SPS, about 25# LR and 2"-3" SB. Running since 3/22/07. Soon to add sump with skimmer Click my home page for pictures. 40g breeder upgrade in progress. Planning a 60g cube FOWLR.

01/01/2010, 10:55 AM	#8
GlassReef Got Reef Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Weeki Wachee, Florida Posts: 2,501	I just set up a frag tank, a couple of days ago, with a removeable DSB divider made of acrylic: __________________ Tom No matter how much you try to push the envelope, it remains stationary.

01/01/2010, 10:19 AM	#5
elegance coral They call me EC Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: central Florida Posts: 6,208	What are you wanting the DSB to do for you?

01/01/2010, 11:22 AM	#11
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	I know plenty of people use buckets. Same concept really, if I am understanding your goals correctly. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

01/01/2010, 11:49 AM	#13
gws76 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: El Reno, OK Posts: 1,691 Blog Entries: 2	Here's an example of how I did my DSB's in the sump. Just an example, take it for what it is. There are two DSB's with mangroves and they are 6 inches deep. Pic is from when I first set the tank up. Those mangroves are about two foot tall now and healthy. Here are the other 3 DSB's in the bottom of the sump. I cut down 5 gallon pails to 8-9 inches tall them filled them with a mixture of sugar fine, medium, and course sand. I like the way each DSB is set up in my tank. If I ever need to move them for some unknown reason, it will be simple. __________________ "Let there be Rock!" ~ Bon Scott 2010-2011 COMAS POTM Chairman Current Tank Info: 150 gal. Starphire Mixed Reef

01/01/2010, 12:49 PM	#14
widmer Drug Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Rochester, MN Posts: 2,958	You may be interested in my thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1759856

01/01/2010, 07:38 PM	#16
iwishtofish Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 4,949	gws76, that's a handy way of doing things. Everything is like a removable unit, it seems to me. Very nice! widmer, I enjoyed reading that - very helpful.