Live Sand in Overflow to Act as a Deep Sand Bed?

bassettmd · 07/11/2007, 05:21 PM

Anyone ever thought of doing this? The reason I am looking into this is I do not have any room in my sump or under my sand to add another DSB (besides what is already in my tank). Also, I was thinking that this would be a way to stop fish poop and debris from ending up behind in the overflow where there is not much (if any) flow to stir it up. Does anyone have any opinoins on this idea? Benefits? Concerns? Has anyone actually done this before? Thanks in advance.

Peter Eichler · 07/11/2007, 06:38 PM

The surface area of sand you would be able to have in an overflow is far too small to provide any real benefit.

Jeff · 07/11/2007, 06:47 PM

I agree with Peter. I am setting up a Perfecto 220 gallon with dual corner overflows. I am really taking my time but I keep looking at the overflows and wondering if there is anything I could do with them. They have to be cloase to 15 gallons each. The problem is that they are tall not wide...

areze · 07/11/2007, 07:23 PM

that would be ridiculously deep, figure atleast 12". it would probably just become a host for things you dont want, and make servicing it near impossible.

scarter · 07/11/2007, 07:30 PM

think if one of the drains got loose, what a nightmare that would be. also adds to the likelyhood of something clogging the drain.

bassettmd · 07/11/2007, 09:20 PM

True, did not think about servicing the drains... would anyone see a problem with adding some LR (not rubble) back there?

Gary Majchrzak · 07/11/2007, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bassettmd
Anyone ever thought of doing this? The reason I am looking into this is I do not have any room in my sump or under my sand to add another DSB (besides what is already in my tank). Also, I was thinking that this would be a way to stop fish poop and debris from ending up behind in the overflow where there is not much (if any) flow to stir it up. Does anyone have any opinoins on this idea? Benefits? Concerns? Has anyone actually done this before? Thanks in advance.

you want to keep those drains clear! Rock and/or sand in the overflows will trap and/or create their own detritus. Use a sponge filter to keep fish poop and debris from ending up behind the overflow. Make sure to clean sponges often.

Fiziksgeek · 07/12/2007, 01:12 PM

I've heard of people stuffing them with macro algae and turning the overflow into a little refuge. Its not ideal, but its better than nothing. Just gotta make sure you have a screen on the intake to your standpipe to keep it from getting clogged.

Personally, I just keep them clean. I take out my standpipes every couple of weeks to get out the bit of waste which builds up way at the bottom of the overflow.

07/11/2007, 05:21 PM	#1
bassettmd Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NorthEast Posts: 710	Live Sand in Overflow to Act as a Deep Sand Bed? Anyone ever thought of doing this? The reason I am looking into this is I do not have any room in my sump or under my sand to add another DSB (besides what is already in my tank). Also, I was thinking that this would be a way to stop fish poop and debris from ending up behind in the overflow where there is not much (if any) flow to stir it up. Does anyone have any opinoins on this idea? Benefits? Concerns? Has anyone actually done this before? Thanks in advance.

07/11/2007, 06:38 PM	#2
Peter Eichler Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,081	The surface area of sand you would be able to have in an overflow is far too small to provide any real benefit. __________________ April 2015 TOTM

07/11/2007, 06:47 PM	#3
Jeff Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 11,907	I agree with Peter. I am setting up a Perfecto 220 gallon with dual corner overflows. I am really taking my time but I keep looking at the overflows and wondering if there is anything I could do with them. They have to be cloase to 15 gallons each. The problem is that they are tall not wide... __________________ Always remember.... any time you reef, you also reef with every reefer that reefer has reefed with. Mitch 2/18/10 IWNFT343F Current Tank Info: Innovative Marine 20

07/11/2007, 07:23 PM	#4
areze Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 4,048	that would be ridiculously deep, figure atleast 12". it would probably just become a host for things you dont want, and make servicing it near impossible. __________________ current tanks:240g of wallet draining capacity.

07/11/2007, 07:30 PM	#5
scarter Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Baltimore Posts: 605	think if one of the drains got loose, what a nightmare that would be. also adds to the likelyhood of something clogging the drain. __________________ My name is Shane and I am a reefaholic, I have a disease and they don't know what to call it. Current Tank Info: what tank?

07/11/2007, 09:20 PM	#6
bassettmd Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NorthEast Posts: 710	True, did not think about servicing the drains... would anyone see a problem with adding some LR (not rubble) back there?

07/12/2007, 01:12 PM	#8
Fiziksgeek Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oxford, CT Posts: 1,565	I've heard of people stuffing them with macro algae and turning the overflow into a little refuge. Its not ideal, but its better than nothing. Just gotta make sure you have a screen on the intake to your standpipe to keep it from getting clogged. Personally, I just keep them clean. I take out my standpipes every couple of weeks to get out the bit of waste which builds up way at the bottom of the overflow.