Rdsb!!

jc16 · 01/20/2009, 02:31 AM

Hello i am at the planning stages of adding a RDSB to my system with around 18-20 inches of sand in a 30-50g drum or bin or some sort. Just want to know if they are effective on reducing nitrates? i also haven't figured out how to plumb it in along with a frag tank. I could use one of the drains from my main display straight into the rdsb but don't want any detritus getting in there. So i was thinking using a mag 9 pump ai nthe last compartment of my sump to pump water into a the rdsb and den let it gravity drain into a frag tank then back into sump, would that creat alot of air bubbles in the frag tank? or i could do it the other way around but if i put fishes in the frag tank the detritus would be a problem? so what do you guys think about this idea of a rdsb and how to plumb it in along with the frag tank? And could i add snails, starfish or some critters to stir the sand in the rdsb? thanks

jc16 · 01/20/2009, 11:27 AM

bump anyone?

frungkis · 01/20/2009, 01:39 PM

You don't want to put any animals in the RDSB. Just let it colonize with bacteria. You want the the flow to and from the RDSB to be fast enough that detritus won't settle, thus no need for the critters.

silverwolf72 · 01/20/2009, 01:59 PM

feed it about 300 gal/hr in a closed dark container, drain back to sump or wherever. they take several months to get going

oldsaltman · 01/20/2009, 02:07 PM

There was a large thread on this a while back. Try the search for DSB 5g bucket etc. I just completed my 5g bucket and am plumbing it into my new setup.

I will look for the link.

jc16 · 01/21/2009, 01:54 PM

so 300gph is enough for a 32g rubbermaid brute container? i was thinking more maybe feed 300gph then at a powerhead inside?

silverwolf72 · 01/21/2009, 02:18 PM

Generally you have a inch or so of open water, so it should not take a lot to keep so decent flow going across the surface. You just want to keep stuff from settling and rotting, to much flow and you start blowing sand all over the place.

jc16 · 01/22/2009, 02:36 AM

thanks i will try to work things out

THEUNION1 · 01/22/2009, 02:44 AM

Why would you need something like this? Is going through all of this really needed for reducing nitrates or is this just a good way at not servicing tank so often? Im new and curious so i hope my question is proper.

Thanks

kookerson · 01/22/2009, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by THEUNION1
Why would you need something like this? Is going through all of this really needed for reducing nitrates or is this just a good way at not servicing tank so often? Im new and curious so i hope my question is proper.

Thanks

This is a cheap ($$$) way to reduce nitrates.

THEUNION1 · 01/22/2009, 04:16 PM

Cheaper how?

jc16 · 01/24/2009, 03:04 AM

it's a good idea for people with bare bottom tanks or a really effective way to reduce nitrates or even buffer your tank if you use aragonite

THEUNION1 · 01/25/2009, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jc16
it's a good idea for people with bare bottom tanks or a really effective way to reduce nitrates or even buffer your tank if you use aragonite

Ah i get it haha..... He is still going to keep dry but run sand ahhhh what a stoop i am. Sorry carry on!

01/20/2009, 02:31 AM	#1
jc16 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 377	Rdsb!! Hello i am at the planning stages of adding a RDSB to my system with around 18-20 inches of sand in a 30-50g drum or bin or some sort. Just want to know if they are effective on reducing nitrates? i also haven't figured out how to plumb it in along with a frag tank. I could use one of the drains from my main display straight into the rdsb but don't want any detritus getting in there. So i was thinking using a mag 9 pump ai nthe last compartment of my sump to pump water into a the rdsb and den let it gravity drain into a frag tank then back into sump, would that creat alot of air bubbles in the frag tank? or i could do it the other way around but if i put fishes in the frag tank the detritus would be a problem? so what do you guys think about this idea of a rdsb and how to plumb it in along with the frag tank? And could i add snails, starfish or some critters to stir the sand in the rdsb? thanks

01/20/2009, 01:39 PM	#3
frungkis Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: colorado springs, CO Posts: 49	You don't want to put any animals in the RDSB. Just let it colonize with bacteria. You want the the flow to and from the RDSB to be fast enough that detritus won't settle, thus no need for the critters. __________________ Hi Current Tank Info: Not small but not big enough

01/20/2009, 02:07 PM	#5
oldsaltman Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ga Posts: 1,333	There was a large thread on this a while back. Try the search for DSB 5g bucket etc. I just completed my 5g bucket and am plumbing it into my new setup. I will look for the link. __________________ "No honey I can't just send it back. It's all wet and they won't take it back now!" Current Tank Info: 90g inwall with a 30g sump

01/20/2009, 11:27 AM	#2
jc16 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 377	bump anyone?

01/20/2009, 01:59 PM	#4
silverwolf72 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lake Forrest CA Posts: 1,732	feed it about 300 gal/hr in a closed dark container, drain back to sump or wherever. they take several months to get going

01/21/2009, 01:54 PM	#6
jc16 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 377	so 300gph is enough for a 32g rubbermaid brute container? i was thinking more maybe feed 300gph then at a powerhead inside?

01/21/2009, 02:18 PM	#7
silverwolf72 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lake Forrest CA Posts: 1,732	Generally you have a inch or so of open water, so it should not take a lot to keep so decent flow going across the surface. You just want to keep stuff from settling and rotting, to much flow and you start blowing sand all over the place.

01/22/2009, 02:36 AM	#8
jc16 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 377	thanks i will try to work things out

01/22/2009, 02:44 AM	#9
THEUNION1 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: ORANGE COUNTY, CA Posts: 928	Why would you need something like this? Is going through all of this really needed for reducing nitrates or is this just a good way at not servicing tank so often? Im new and curious so i hope my question is proper. Thanks

01/22/2009, 04:16 PM	#11
THEUNION1 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: ORANGE COUNTY, CA Posts: 928	Cheaper how?

01/24/2009, 03:04 AM	#12
jc16 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 377	it's a good idea for people with bare bottom tanks or a really effective way to reduce nitrates or even buffer your tank if you use aragonite