Deep Sand Bed/Plenum/Bare Bottom for already existing aquarium

luigisacs · 03/20/2009, 09:08 AM

All,

I have been battling a diatom outbreak recently. After some study I have come to the conclusion that one of my issues was my skimmer not being adequate for my system. I have recently purchased a newer skimmer rated 2x for my system. I feel this will be helpful.

Installing the new skimmer will involve me emptying the contents of the aquarium, removing the tank from the stand, and then installing the skimmer in the sump. While I will be having everything emptied anyway I had decided to do some house cleaning as well.

One of those house cleaning duties will revolve around the substrate. I have done tons of research on the three methods (DSB,Plenum,Bare Bottom) and noted each's pro's and con's. Each method seems to produce great results, but each method also seems to have con's that eventually creep up in time.

I was hoping to garner some thoughts from users of the three methods. Please provide any insights you may garnered from your experiences with any of the methods.

Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.

Luigi

luigisacs · 03/20/2009, 01:12 PM

Any help would be appreciated.

Gravesj1s · 03/20/2009, 01:57 PM

luigsacs,
I have ran a plenum,dsb ,bb,and currently shallow sand bed.

To make a short reply here, the only way I would run a dsb is if it were a species dedicated that actually required it.The plenum would be out of the question. No proof itis any better.

I would go barbottom or shallow sand and use a gravel vac to siphon out detritus with every water change.I have been using this method with excellent results.

-Graves

luigisacs · 03/20/2009, 02:03 PM

Thank you for the response. I was leaning towards the bare bottom. I'd still like to hear some other opinions before I make a final decision.

luigisacs · 03/20/2009, 04:49 PM

Last bump, then I'm giving up

BetterMetalReef · 03/20/2009, 05:00 PM

Main reason you're not getting many replys is that this has been covered on many threads here already. Try searching the existing threads as there's a lot of data, both from the experts and people's person experiences, about the uses of DSB, plenum, BB, etc. You could spend all night reading them.

Another option is to post this in the new reefers forum, would get more of a response there.

Rouselb · 03/20/2009, 07:33 PM

I run with a thin layer of sand in my display, no fuge, no dsb, just a sump and a great skimmer. Seems to work better then my previous setups. Most of the things you listed above will work, someone will have a setup with good results. You have to decide what you want to do. I suggest starting small and then grow or add on as you get more time behind you. BB or SSB in the display to start, a sump and a great skimmer is a very good start. Make sure you have good flow in the display, dont pack it full of LR, give space for flow and growth. Get some good PHs.

luther1200 · 03/20/2009, 07:52 PM

Why would you have to dismantle the whole tank to add a skimmer?

luigisacs · 03/21/2009, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by luther1200
Why would you have to dismantle the whole tank to add a skimmer?

I unfortunately can not fit the skimmer thorugh the opening of the stand because if its size and the sump being in the way.

03/20/2009, 09:08 AM	#1
luigisacs Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 55	Deep Sand Bed/Plenum/Bare Bottom for already existing aquarium All, I have been battling a diatom outbreak recently. After some study I have come to the conclusion that one of my issues was my skimmer not being adequate for my system. I have recently purchased a newer skimmer rated 2x for my system. I feel this will be helpful. Installing the new skimmer will involve me emptying the contents of the aquarium, removing the tank from the stand, and then installing the skimmer in the sump. While I will be having everything emptied anyway I had decided to do some house cleaning as well. One of those house cleaning duties will revolve around the substrate. I have done tons of research on the three methods (DSB,Plenum,Bare Bottom) and noted each's pro's and con's. Each method seems to produce great results, but each method also seems to have con's that eventually creep up in time. I was hoping to garner some thoughts from users of the three methods. Please provide any insights you may garnered from your experiences with any of the methods. Thank you in advance for any help you can provide. Luigi

03/20/2009, 05:00 PM	#6
BetterMetalReef Will work for Corals Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Arlington, MA Posts: 57	Main reason you're not getting many replys is that this has been covered on many threads here already. Try searching the existing threads as there's a lot of data, both from the experts and people's person experiences, about the uses of DSB, plenum, BB, etc. You could spend all night reading them. Another option is to post this in the new reefers forum, would get more of a response there. __________________ Dual 50 gallon tank system in the works. Current Tank Info: Working on it.

03/20/2009, 07:33 PM	#7
Rouselb Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Detroit Michigan Posts: 1,238	I run with a thin layer of sand in my display, no fuge, no dsb, just a sump and a great skimmer. Seems to work better then my previous setups. Most of the things you listed above will work, someone will have a setup with good results. You have to decide what you want to do. I suggest starting small and then grow or add on as you get more time behind you. BB or SSB in the display to start, a sump and a great skimmer is a very good start. Make sure you have good flow in the display, dont pack it full of LR, give space for flow and growth. Get some good PHs. __________________ Larry Current Tank Info: 425g Mixed Reef, (6) Orphek LED mods, (4) MP60s, (2) Bubble King SM250 Skimmer, LMIII for Dose & ATO

03/20/2009, 07:52 PM	#8
luther1200 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NJ, shore Posts: 4,376	Why would you have to dismantle the whole tank to add a skimmer? __________________ Matt, 65G reef tank Current Tank Info: 65g reef, mix of sps, lps, few softies. Hoping to upgrade within the year.

03/20/2009, 01:12 PM	#2
luigisacs Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 55	Any help would be appreciated.

03/20/2009, 01:57 PM	#3
Gravesj1s Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Syracuse,NY Posts: 1,790	luigsacs, I have ran a plenum,dsb ,bb,and currently shallow sand bed. To make a short reply here, the only way I would run a dsb is if it were a species dedicated that actually required it.The plenum would be out of the question. No proof itis any better. I would go barbottom or shallow sand and use a gravel vac to siphon out detritus with every water change.I have been using this method with excellent results. -Graves

03/20/2009, 02:03 PM	#4
luigisacs Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 55	Thank you for the response. I was leaning towards the bare bottom. I'd still like to hear some other opinions before I make a final decision.

03/20/2009, 04:49 PM	#5
luigisacs Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 55	Last bump, then I'm giving up