aragonite sand bed depth and toxic gases

CloruroDiSodio · 01/01/2009, 01:26 PM

Hi gang,
From a previous post and some research regarding the best type of "gravel material" to use, it looks like aragonite sand is the best choice. The question I have regarding the sand is bed depth. My 180gal will be a fish and hardy invert only tank (no sensitive corals) so I don't think I need a huge amount of nitrate reduction. If I used a shallow bed (say 1") and just relied on the live rock to do some of the nitrate reduction do you think this would work? I'm just a little concerned about a deeper sand bed in the main tank if there are any dead spots regarding flow. I've read that gases such as methane and hydrogen sulfide could form within a deep bed. Also, assuming the 1 inch depth was ok is it a good idea to still use "sand stirrers" such as nassarius snails gobies, cuc etc.?

thanks

MalHavoc · 01/01/2009, 03:58 PM

I run a shallow sand bed in my nano (about an inch of aragonite) and I just really rely on live rock, lots of water changes, and reasonable feeding habits to keep nitrates down. I have nassarius snails in my tank and don't have problems.

WaterKeeper · 01/01/2009, 04:55 PM

Basically you are running a FO tank so a shallow aragonite bed will be fine.

CloruroDiSodio · 01/02/2009, 02:00 PM

Hey guys,

Thanks for the reply. It sounds like my thoughts were along the correct lines, having other people confirm always helps!

thanks a lot
CDS

Aquarist007 · 01/02/2009, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CloruroDiSodio
Hey guys,

Thanks for the reply. It sounds like my thoughts were along the correct lines, having other people confirm always helps!

thanks a lot
CDS

Deep sand beds are better handled if setup remotely as in a refugium sitution. That way they can be maintained without causing problems to the display tank.
They are a great nitrate reducer but in your case with fish only--higher levels of nitrate can be tolerated

01/01/2009, 01:26 PM	#1
CloruroDiSodio Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New York Posts: 597	aragonite sand bed depth and toxic gases Hi gang, From a previous post and some research regarding the best type of "gravel material" to use, it looks like aragonite sand is the best choice. The question I have regarding the sand is bed depth. My 180gal will be a fish and hardy invert only tank (no sensitive corals) so I don't think I need a huge amount of nitrate reduction. If I used a shallow bed (say 1") and just relied on the live rock to do some of the nitrate reduction do you think this would work? I'm just a little concerned about a deeper sand bed in the main tank if there are any dead spots regarding flow. I've read that gases such as methane and hydrogen sulfide could form within a deep bed. Also, assuming the 1 inch depth was ok is it a good idea to still use "sand stirrers" such as nassarius snails gobies, cuc etc.? thanks

01/01/2009, 03:58 PM	#2
MalHavoc Infinitely Prolonged Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 10,850	I run a shallow sand bed in my nano (about an inch of aragonite) and I just really rely on live rock, lots of water changes, and reasonable feeding habits to keep nitrates down. I have nassarius snails in my tank and don't have problems. __________________ Jason "Empathy, he once had decided, must be limited to herbivores or anyhow omnivores who could depart from a meat diet. Because, ultimately, the empathic gift blurred the boundaries between hunter and victim, between the successful and the defeated." -- Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Philip K Dick

01/01/2009, 04:55 PM	#3
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	Basically you are running a FO tank so a shallow aragonite bed will be fine. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

01/02/2009, 02:00 PM	#4
CloruroDiSodio Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New York Posts: 597	Hey guys, Thanks for the reply. It sounds like my thoughts were along the correct lines, having other people confirm always helps! thanks a lot CDS