Microfauna and DSB

Mr31415 · 06/20/2007, 06:58 AM

To have a successful DSB one needs appropriate microfauna to pull the water in to the lower layers where it can undergo mineralization, right?

So my questions are:

1) What kind of microfauna should I add to my sand bed
2) Where can I find them?

plandy · 06/20/2007, 07:14 AM

As things mostly stand today, DSB is most popular at reducing nitrates. This action requires anaerobic bacteria which develops on its own over a period of time. Sand bed, not necessarily very deep is also beneficial for growing microfauna which aids in the breakdown of byproducts some which transformed into food useful for various corals and sand sifting creatures. However, some folks prefer to avoid certain sand sifting creatures such as the tiny sand sifting stars which can quickly vacuum up valuable and beneficial sub-sand organisms. The finer the grain of your sand the less depth is required to make things work according to plans.

Mr31415 · 06/21/2007, 02:21 AM

Ok but apart from the bacteria - what kind of animals are needed for sifting the sand? And where can I buy them to add them to my tank?

erbio · 06/21/2007, 04:08 AM

Mr, buy a diamond goby, they move the sand around, another one that comes to mind is a sand sifting starfish...

The starfish will starve if there isn't any live food in the sand.

Trigeek · 06/21/2007, 04:51 AM

You want a variety of pods and worms. I've seen "kits" that can be purchased from some of the sponsors on this site (forgot which ones sepcifically). You can also get a cupful of sand from a few established systems to "seed" the bed. You'll notice the bugs on the glass and the sand after a couple of weeks and see worm holes in the sand along the edge of the bed. These critters will also come on liverock. Try to stay away from animals that will eat the microfauna until the tank is well established (about a year or so). If you have animals that will eat pods and worms, then you can set up a refugium in the display as a "safehouse" for breeding by piling up some rubble in the sand. A fuge outside of the system may be helpful as well. I "recharge" my sandbed a couple of times a year or so by getting sand from other reefers/club members/LFS.

kmckay · 09/03/2007, 09:40 AM

http://www.inlandaquatics.com/info/faq_lsand.html

06/20/2007, 06:58 AM	#1
Mr31415 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Surrey, Canada Posts: 1,926	Microfauna and DSB To have a successful DSB one needs appropriate microfauna to pull the water in to the lower layers where it can undergo mineralization, right? So my questions are: 1) What kind of microfauna should I add to my sand bed 2) Where can I find them?

06/20/2007, 07:14 AM	#2
plandy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Schenectady, NY Posts: 411	As things mostly stand today, DSB is most popular at reducing nitrates. This action requires anaerobic bacteria which develops on its own over a period of time. Sand bed, not necessarily very deep is also beneficial for growing microfauna which aids in the breakdown of byproducts some which transformed into food useful for various corals and sand sifting creatures. However, some folks prefer to avoid certain sand sifting creatures such as the tiny sand sifting stars which can quickly vacuum up valuable and beneficial sub-sand organisms. The finer the grain of your sand the less depth is required to make things work according to plans. __________________ Peter Landy Schenectady, NY Recent Returnee to the Marines! 12gl Aquapod New "custom euro" 90 gallon under construction!

09/03/2007, 09:40 AM	#6
kmckay Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 249	http://www.inlandaquatics.com/info/faq_lsand.html __________________ Kris Current Tank Info: No current tank :(

06/21/2007, 02:21 AM	#3
Mr31415 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Surrey, Canada Posts: 1,926	Ok but apart from the bacteria - what kind of animals are needed for sifting the sand? And where can I buy them to add them to my tank?

06/21/2007, 04:08 AM	#4
erbio Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NY Posts: 625	Mr, buy a diamond goby, they move the sand around, another one that comes to mind is a sand sifting starfish... The starfish will starve if there isn't any live food in the sand.

06/21/2007, 04:51 AM	#5
Trigeek Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Broward County, FL Posts: 638	You want a variety of pods and worms. I've seen "kits" that can be purchased from some of the sponsors on this site (forgot which ones sepcifically). You can also get a cupful of sand from a few established systems to "seed" the bed. You'll notice the bugs on the glass and the sand after a couple of weeks and see worm holes in the sand along the edge of the bed. These critters will also come on liverock. Try to stay away from animals that will eat the microfauna until the tank is well established (about a year or so). If you have animals that will eat pods and worms, then you can set up a refugium in the display as a "safehouse" for breeding by piling up some rubble in the sand. A fuge outside of the system may be helpful as well. I "recharge" my sandbed a couple of times a year or so by getting sand from other reefers/club members/LFS.