Sandbed depth question

Stanton · 02/05/2006, 08:55 PM

I have 150 lbs of CaribSea Seaflor Special Grade Reef Sand: 1 - 1.7mm diameter grain size and suger size combined in my 100gal I'm setting up. This tank will eventually become a reef tank. It's about three inches deep now. Is this deep enough to work as a denitrifacation or would it be considered a shallow sand bed. Whats my options?

Avi · 02/05/2006, 09:13 PM

I would say that if you want a deep sand bed, you should have at least one more inch of depth. What you'd want to assure if you want a deep sand bed is that the substrate is deep enough to have an area that would be anaerobic. I don't believe that three inches would be adequate and you wouldn't be accomplishing your intention of denitrification.

ronkent · 02/05/2006, 09:21 PM

I only have 3 inches in my 55 and it seems to work. I am currently getting ready to set up my 125 and im shooting for 6 inches. But yes...3 inches did me fine for over a year.

Stanton · 02/05/2006, 09:33 PM

Thanks for the replies. I never have really cared for the deep look. it just took up to much space too me. Would a 5" deep bed in my 20gal sump be sufficient? Then could I have a inch or so in my display?

mhhauser · 02/05/2006, 10:05 PM

I am not sure, I think it is generally different for all Aquariums, but I think a safe depth to go with is 4".

bertoni · 02/05/2006, 10:42 PM

The sump is too small to do much denitrification, IMO. You could just use a 1" sandbed for looks.

mg426 · 02/06/2006, 12:05 AM

I have always heard less than 1 inch or greater than 4 inches.<1 inch does nothing for nitrates.

mg426 · 02/06/2006, 12:07 AM

But 1 inch does look better. Sump is a bit small but it might help

02/05/2006, 08:55 PM	#1
Stanton Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Mobile AL. Posts: 312	Sandbed depth question I have 150 lbs of CaribSea Seaflor Special Grade Reef Sand: 1 - 1.7mm diameter grain size and suger size combined in my 100gal I'm setting up. This tank will eventually become a reef tank. It's about three inches deep now. Is this deep enough to work as a denitrifacation or would it be considered a shallow sand bed. Whats my options?

02/05/2006, 09:13 PM	#2
Avi Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Westchester County, NY Posts: 7,327	I would say that if you want a deep sand bed, you should have at least one more inch of depth. What you'd want to assure if you want a deep sand bed is that the substrate is deep enough to have an area that would be anaerobic. I don't believe that three inches would be adequate and you wouldn't be accomplishing your intention of denitrification. __________________ I'd keep the whole ocean if my den were big enough Current Tank Info: 120 gallon reef with 210 lbs. of live rock, Aqua-C EV180 Skimmer, Aquactinic double 250W MH with blue plus t5 support; 58 gallon freshwater planted tank using CO2 and T5s; 30-gallon cube with a few fancy goldfish; and a 110 gallon FOWLR

02/05/2006, 10:05 PM	#5
mhhauser Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 114	I am not sure, I think it is generally different for all Aquariums, but I think a safe depth to go with is 4". __________________ Next time we talk, don't say anything Current Tank Info: 5 gal Freshwater & 10gal Freshwater

02/05/2006, 10:42 PM	#6
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	The sump is too small to do much denitrification, IMO. You could just use a 1" sandbed for looks. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

02/06/2006, 12:05 AM	#7
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	I have always heard less than 1 inch or greater than 4 inches.<1 inch does nothing for nitrates. __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

02/05/2006, 09:21 PM	#3
ronkent Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: weston, WI Posts: 678	I only have 3 inches in my 55 and it seems to work. I am currently getting ready to set up my 125 and im shooting for 6 inches. But yes...3 inches did me fine for over a year.

02/05/2006, 09:33 PM	#4
Stanton Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Mobile AL. Posts: 312	Thanks for the replies. I never have really cared for the deep look. it just took up to much space too me. Would a 5" deep bed in my 20gal sump be sufficient? Then could I have a inch or so in my display?

02/06/2006, 12:07 AM	#8
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	But 1 inch does look better. Sump is a bit small but it might help __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt