sand depth for a reef system?

jpc763 · 01/05/2009, 02:40 PM

What is the recommended sand depth for a standard reef tank?

Thanks, John

Toddrtrex · 01/05/2009, 03:05 PM

Depends on what the sandbed to do, and what type do you want to have.

Personally, I have shallow sandbeds in all my tanks -- mainly for looks and for my sand dwelling anemones. Mine are about 2-3 inches.

YE||0W TA|\|G · 01/05/2009, 04:15 PM

+1

There really is no recommended sand depth. I plan on doing 2-3 inches of sand myself .

Though deep sand beds are good to keep the nitrate levels down

Toddrtrex · 01/05/2009, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by YE||0W TA|\|G
......
Though deep sand beds are good to keep the nitrate levels down

And to clarify, you don't need to have a deep sand bed to have low/0 nitrates. Like I said above, all my tanks have shallow beds, and I can't remember the last time I had a nitrate reading.

noboddi · 01/05/2009, 04:25 PM

I am a bit biased because I like DSB's. If your not doing one, then I would recommend 1/2" or less. Less potential for problems. If you do want to keep sand anenomes, what I would do is have 2-3" in a portion of the tank. Easy to contour the rock to do.

Or you can do it like Todd does. It all works

You can also do a DSB in the sump system instead of the tank.

It really depends on what you are trying to do.

YE||0W TA|\|G · 01/05/2009, 04:37 PM

Im skeptical on the DSB's because I hear they keep the nitrates low. Personally Ive never had one so i cant say they do. I only have about 2 inches of sand in my 38 and the levels are 0. I plan on doing the same amount in my 155 as well

BigJay · 01/05/2009, 04:39 PM

1-2" here. I heard that anything over 1" is a waste so I don't really bother stacking it that high.

There are places where my powerheads have stacked over 1" of sand for me though. Can't stop it really.

stylolvr · 01/05/2009, 05:05 PM

2"-3" in my 55. Just enough to give my goby something to do during the day. The snails love it too! Maybe a DSB in the sump or fuge like noboddi said.

BuddhaKiss · 01/05/2009, 05:40 PM

I've got a DSB in my 58 now, and have neglible nitrates. Although I can't attest if that's due to the DSB or my macroalgae.
I'm planning only going for an 1" or so in my next tank and run a DSB in my fuge. I don't like how DSBs look in the DT.

AZDesertRat · 01/05/2009, 06:04 PM

5" in my 100G display which is 330 lbs of Southdown. I like fully functioning deep sand beds myself.

01/05/2009, 02:40 PM	#1
jpc763 Nothing to see Move along Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 800	sand depth for a reef system? What is the recommended sand depth for a standard reef tank? Thanks, John

01/05/2009, 03:05 PM	#2
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	Depends on what the sandbed to do, and what type do you want to have. Personally, I have shallow sandbeds in all my tanks -- mainly for looks and for my sand dwelling anemones. Mine are about 2-3 inches. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

01/05/2009, 04:15 PM	#3
YE\|\|0W TA\|\\|G Registered Member $YE\|\|0W TA\|\\|G's Avatar$ Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Hillsborough New Jersey Posts: 699	+1 There really is no recommended sand depth. I plan on doing 2-3 inches of sand myself . Though deep sand beds are good to keep the nitrate levels down __________________ Rome was not built in a day, and neither was the ocean.. or our aquariums.. patience is they key to success.
$YE\|\|0W TA\|\\|G is offline$

01/05/2009, 04:25 PM	#5
noboddi Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 813	I am a bit biased because I like DSB's. If your not doing one, then I would recommend 1/2" or less. Less potential for problems. If you do want to keep sand anenomes, what I would do is have 2-3" in a portion of the tank. Easy to contour the rock to do. Or you can do it like Todd does. It all works You can also do a DSB in the sump system instead of the tank. It really depends on what you are trying to do. __________________ Entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem - William of Ockham Current Tank Info: 55 gallon (36x18x20), 40 gallon sump, 25 gallon refugium, TEK 6x39w fixture, Osmolator, Kalk Reactor, Vortech MP20, 2 Koralia 3s on controller, Acropora, Anthelia, Montipora, Starry Blenny, Yellow Watchman, Rainford Goby, Tiger Gobies

01/05/2009, 04:37 PM	#6
YE\|\|0W TA\|\\|G Registered Member $YE\|\|0W TA\|\\|G's Avatar$ Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Hillsborough New Jersey Posts: 699	Im skeptical on the DSB's because I hear they keep the nitrates low. Personally Ive never had one so i cant say they do. I only have about 2 inches of sand in my 38 and the levels are 0. I plan on doing the same amount in my 155 as well __________________ Rome was not built in a day, and neither was the ocean.. or our aquariums.. patience is they key to success.
$YE\|\|0W TA\|\\|G is offline$

01/05/2009, 04:39 PM	#7
BigJay Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Southlake, Texas Posts: 1,872	1-2" here. I heard that anything over 1" is a waste so I don't really bother stacking it that high. There are places where my powerheads have stacked over 1" of sand for me though. Can't stop it really. __________________ PBITAWA

01/05/2009, 05:05 PM	#8
stylolvr Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Longwood, FL Posts: 734	2"-3" in my 55. Just enough to give my goby something to do during the day. The snails love it too! Maybe a DSB in the sump or fuge like noboddi said. __________________ Some call it a hobby, others an obsession. I just call it good, clean fun! Current Tank Info: Acquiring equipment for a Waterbox 20 Cube mixed reef

01/05/2009, 05:40 PM	#9
BuddhaKiss Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Northern Va Posts: 1,068	I've got a DSB in my 58 now, and have neglible nitrates. Although I can't attest if that's due to the DSB or my macroalgae. I'm planning only going for an 1" or so in my next tank and run a DSB in my fuge. I don't like how DSBs look in the DT.

01/05/2009, 06:04 PM	#10
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	5" in my 100G display which is 330 lbs of Southdown. I like fully functioning deep sand beds myself.