Should I run deep sand bed in fuge???

seaduck · 03/23/2007, 12:16 PM

I have 3 partitions in my 29 gal sump. Middle one is a fuge with 20 lbs live rock and cheato morpha and caulerpa w/60 watts no flor growlights. Downdraft skimmer in 1st one and mag 7 in last one. My nitrates are stuck at 15. Do u think adding 4 inches of live sand in the fuge will help bring down my nitrates to 5 or lower?

Rhodesholar · 03/23/2007, 07:29 PM

I think no one has responded because this topic always causes a malay but I like abuse.

I run a 4 inch bed in my fuge. My NO3 used to be 20ppm. It now runs zero.

The secret is to have lots of sand stirring critters and microfauna. Keep good flow through it and it will be fine. Here is an article on the matter by an expert if your interested.

http://www.ronshimek.com/Deep%20Sand%20Beds.htm

Entropy · 03/23/2007, 07:36 PM

I don't think the sand bed is going to make that big of an impact on your nitrates because of how small your fuge area is, but IMO is definately will not hurt.

The only thing I don't like about sand in the sump is you have to make sure it doesn't get your return pump. A little sand can do a lot of damage to a return pump IMO.

kaptken · 03/23/2007, 08:58 PM

I'm amazed by all the people who torture themselves over what size DSB in a small remote fuge or sump, but never consider the whole tank? any difference? except the tank is usually bigger and better? Then the next arguement would be fine DSB in the tank or Jaubert style plenum sandbed.?/

Any Knibbles??

03/23/2007, 12:16 PM	#1
seaduck Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Seminole, fl Posts: 724	Should I run deep sand bed in fuge??? I have 3 partitions in my 29 gal sump. Middle one is a fuge with 20 lbs live rock and cheato morpha and caulerpa w/60 watts no flor growlights. Downdraft skimmer in 1st one and mag 7 in last one. My nitrates are stuck at 15. Do u think adding 4 inches of live sand in the fuge will help bring down my nitrates to 5 or lower?

03/23/2007, 07:36 PM	#3
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	I don't think the sand bed is going to make that big of an impact on your nitrates because of how small your fuge area is, but IMO is definately will not hurt. The only thing I don't like about sand in the sump is you have to make sure it doesn't get your return pump. A little sand can do a lot of damage to a return pump IMO. __________________ Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g

03/23/2007, 08:58 PM	#4
kaptken Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: New castle, De. Posts: 1,419	I'm amazed by all the people who torture themselves over what size DSB in a small remote fuge or sump, but never consider the whole tank? any difference? except the tank is usually bigger and better? Then the next arguement would be fine DSB in the tank or Jaubert style plenum sandbed.?/ Any Knibbles?? __________________ Bend To Fit...Paint To Match...Kick To Start. Current Tank Info: 75 reef and several smaller

03/23/2007, 07:29 PM	#2
Rhodesholar Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Crivitz Wi Posts: 754	I think no one has responded because this topic always causes a malay but I like abuse. I run a 4 inch bed in my fuge. My NO3 used to be 20ppm. It now runs zero. The secret is to have lots of sand stirring critters and microfauna. Keep good flow through it and it will be fine. Here is an article on the matter by an expert if your interested. http://www.ronshimek.com/Deep%20Sand%20Beds.htm