Deep sand bed or shallow?

JStraz4991 · 09/27/2009, 03:56 PM

What do you guys think is the best way to go a deep sand bed or shallow.its goin to be a FOWLR and later on in the future i am going to add coral.

Playa-1 · 09/27/2009, 04:04 PM

Both, A shallow sand bed in the tank and a remote DSB.

JStraz4991 · 09/27/2009, 04:12 PM

im not goin to have a sump thats in the future

Been_There8 · 09/27/2009, 04:13 PM

Thats how we all start off too. Fish only with live rock, and then we add corals. No, but seriously, i say shalow, i think a dsb looks disgusting when it gets covered with algae. Thats just an opinion though, i went BB and dont regret it a bit!

JStraz4991 · 09/27/2009, 04:19 PM

would a 3 inch sand bed be suffiecent

Blownsvt · 09/27/2009, 04:23 PM

i think i am going to do a 1-2" sand bed in my tank.

JStraz4991 · 09/27/2009, 04:25 PM

what about i have 2 inch sand bed and have 60- 70 punds of live rock.i have a 40 gallon breeder

christ102 · 09/27/2009, 07:49 PM

1-2 inches, shallow for me.

JStraz4991 · 09/27/2009, 07:50 PM

ok thanks

i thinks thats what ill do

Sisterlimonpot · 09/27/2009, 08:12 PM

You're probably better off going with a shallow sand bed.

James77 · 09/27/2009, 09:12 PM

A SSB is the best, add a RDSB if you start having nitrate problems. I do about 1" of Caribsea Seafloor Grade over starboard, and it does not blow around at all. Whenever I blast my rocks with a powerhead, at least once a month, I blow all the sand with it to clear out any detritus.

iceman79 · 09/28/2009, 12:19 AM

i agree DSB looks crappy in time SSB is the way to go

Henry Bowman · 09/28/2009, 06:30 AM

2"... no more.

JStraz4991 · 09/28/2009, 02:26 PM

ok thanks for the help guys i think 2 inches is what ill do.and what about live rock du you think 60-70 pounds is good for a 40 gallon

uncleof6 · 09/28/2009, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JStraz4991

would a 3 inch sand bed be suffiecent

3" is not deep enough for a DSB to operate properly. The minimum is 4", and a range of 4" - 6" is most common. Most of the negatives (anecdotal) I read on DSBs are due to improper set up, and improper operation of the in tank DSB. It is not hard to properly set up an IN TANK DSB, you simply have to do it the right way. Things that need to be considered are the grain size used, and the flow rates in the tank, to name two. The DSB has to be "seeded" with the right type of critters, (packaged "live" sand is not good enough-- nor is most available "live rock." It must be fed and matured prior to adding "predetors" that feed on sand bed life, or the populations will never reach a sufficient number. (Just some examples) Like I said, it is not hard, you just have to approach it methodically. There is a right way and a wrong way.

A properly running DSB (in tank) will not have diatoms blooms on the surface (save new tank syndrome-- which self corrects) and the surface will be clean and "white." A THIN layer of Larger gravel/shell mix (caribsea grand bahamas or super reef) will keep the oolitic sand from blowing around the tank, and also provide building materials for burrowing fish to build their homes.

In tank DSBs have been in use since the 1960's, and have singley (along with "protein skimming" and live rock) been the most successful method of keeping what is known today as the "reef tank."

RDSBs can aid in the balance of the system, however it is removed from the main food chain. In a marine system "EVERYTHING" that is organic based, is a food source. (That may be too encompassing, but it is the idea, if not specifically so)

Regards,

Jim

aleonn · 09/03/2010, 04:13 AM

I made the mistake of making a DSB of 5-6" in tank. Now it's full of algae and other gunk. For my new tank I'm targetting 2-2.5".

newyorkstyles · 11/14/2010, 02:43 AM

Here are 2 educational videos illustrating a brand new deep sand bed, as well as a mature deep sand bed on 2 separate systems. I hope these videos help you guys understand deep sand beds better.

bertoni · 11/14/2010, 04:23 PM

There's a lot of personal choice involved. This thread might help:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=803688

Dustin1300 · 11/14/2010, 05:40 PM

I'd say go SSB with a good amount of live rock

Mighunter · 12/07/2010, 08:32 PM

Newyorkstyles, thanks for those video's. Question as I'm gathering up what I need to set up a new 265 gallon tank...can I do a shallow sand bed in the display tank and a deep sand bed in the fuge and get the same benefits?

Thanks
Joe

Angel*Fish · 12/07/2010, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uncleof6

3" is not deep enough for a DSB to operate properly. The minimum is 4", and a range of 4" - 6" is most common. Most of the negatives (anecdotal) I read on DSBs are due to improper set up, and improper operation of the in tank DSB. It is not hard to properly set up an IN TANK DSB, you simply have to do it the right way. Things that need to be considered are the grain size used, and the flow rates in the tank, to name two. The DSB has to be "seeded" with the right type of critters, (packaged "live" sand is not good enough-- nor is most available "live rock." It must be fed and matured prior to adding "predetors" that feed on sand bed life, or the populations will never reach a sufficient number. (Just some examples) Like I said, it is not hard, you just have to approach it methodically. There is a right way and a wrong way.

A properly running DSB (in tank) will not have diatoms blooms on the surface (save new tank syndrome-- which self corrects) and the surface will be clean and "white." A THIN layer of Larger gravel/shell mix (caribsea grand bahamas or super reef) will keep the oolitic sand from blowing around the tank, and also provide building materials for burrowing fish to build their homes.

Regards,

Jim

I never understand why people say they are high maintenance and problematic - all they need is the right depth, proper sand, and occasional "reseeding" . I can understand people not caring for the look, though. But personally I enjoy observing all that life in the tank. Lower maintenance than other sand beds inho.

Mike P · 12/07/2010, 09:10 PM

I have a DSB that I love a lot. It only gave me a problem once right after the cycle, but it corrected itself.

My advice is do some major research on both and find which one suits YOU the best. It really doesn't matter either way.

09/27/2009, 03:56 PM	#1
JStraz4991 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 435	Deep sand bed or shallow? What do you guys think is the best way to go a deep sand bed or shallow.its goin to be a FOWLR and later on in the future i am going to add coral. __________________ "I had a fish once but it died" Current Tank Info: 40g Breeder Reef.Purple Firefish,Royal Gramma,Green/Blue Chromis,and a mated pair of Clownfish

09/27/2009, 04:12 PM	#3
JStraz4991 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 435	im not goin to have a sump thats in the future __________________ "I had a fish once but it died" Current Tank Info: 40g Breeder Reef.Purple Firefish,Royal Gramma,Green/Blue Chromis,and a mated pair of Clownfish

09/27/2009, 04:19 PM	#5
JStraz4991 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 435	would a 3 inch sand bed be suffiecent __________________ "I had a fish once but it died" Current Tank Info: 40g Breeder Reef.Purple Firefish,Royal Gramma,Green/Blue Chromis,and a mated pair of Clownfish

09/27/2009, 04:25 PM	#7
JStraz4991 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 435	what about i have 2 inch sand bed and have 60- 70 punds of live rock.i have a 40 gallon breeder __________________ "I had a fish once but it died" Current Tank Info: 40g Breeder Reef.Purple Firefish,Royal Gramma,Green/Blue Chromis,and a mated pair of Clownfish

09/27/2009, 07:50 PM	#9
JStraz4991 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 435	ok thanks i thinks thats what ill do __________________ "I had a fish once but it died" Current Tank Info: 40g Breeder Reef.Purple Firefish,Royal Gramma,Green/Blue Chromis,and a mated pair of Clownfish

09/27/2009, 04:04 PM	#2
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	Both, A shallow sand bed in the tank and a remote DSB.

09/27/2009, 04:13 PM	#4
Been_There8 Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 406	Thats how we all start off too. Fish only with live rock, and then we add corals. No, but seriously, i say shalow, i think a dsb looks disgusting when it gets covered with algae. Thats just an opinion though, i went BB and dont regret it a bit!

09/27/2009, 04:23 PM	#6
Blownsvt Moved On Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 514	i think i am going to do a 1-2" sand bed in my tank.

09/27/2009, 07:49 PM	#8
christ102 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 151	1-2 inches, shallow for me.

09/27/2009, 08:12 PM	#10
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	You're probably better off going with a shallow sand bed. __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

09/27/2009, 09:12 PM	#11
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	A SSB is the best, add a RDSB if you start having nitrate problems. I do about 1" of Caribsea Seafloor Grade over starboard, and it does not blow around at all. Whenever I blast my rocks with a powerhead, at least once a month, I blow all the sand with it to clear out any detritus. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

09/28/2009, 12:19 AM	#12
iceman79 Registered Reefhead Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 572	i agree DSB looks crappy in time SSB is the way to go __________________ Reef keeping gods favorite hobby Current Tank Info: 72 bowfront mixed reef >20 gallon softie tank

09/28/2009, 06:30 AM	#13
Henry Bowman Reefing since '87 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Allegheny Mountains of VA Posts: 2,162	2"... no more. __________________ Have a good'un Current Tank Info: 90 gl SPS dominant / upgrade in the works

09/28/2009, 02:26 PM	#14
JStraz4991 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 435	ok thanks for the help guys i think 2 inches is what ill do.and what about live rock du you think 60-70 pounds is good for a 40 gallon __________________ "I had a fish once but it died" Current Tank Info: 40g Breeder Reef.Purple Firefish,Royal Gramma,Green/Blue Chromis,and a mated pair of Clownfish

09/03/2010, 04:13 AM	#16
aleonn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 4,041	I made the mistake of making a DSB of 5-6" in tank. Now it's full of algae and other gunk. For my new tank I'm targetting 2-2.5".

11/14/2010, 02:43 AM	#17
newyorkstyles Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: NY Posts: 126	Educational Video on Deep Sand Beds Here are 2 educational videos illustrating a brand new deep sand bed, as well as a mature deep sand bed on 2 separate systems. I hope these videos help you guys understand deep sand beds better.

11/14/2010, 04:23 PM	#18
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	There's a lot of personal choice involved. This thread might help: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=803688 __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

11/14/2010, 05:40 PM	#19
Dustin1300 Reefaholic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Carmel, IN Posts: 5,135	I'd say go SSB with a good amount of live rock __________________ INDMAS President Check out my tank in the Large Tank Forums, "A Reefaholic's 1000+ Gallon Mixed Reef System Build"! Current Tank Info: 600 Gallon DT, 140 Gallon Grow Out Tank, 125 Gallon Sump, 90 Gallon Fuge, 200 Gallon Fish QT, 15 Gallon Frag QT

12/07/2010, 08:32 PM	#20
Mighunter Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 66	Newyorkstyles, thanks for those video's. Question as I'm gathering up what I need to set up a new 265 gallon tank...can I do a shallow sand bed in the display tank and a deep sand bed in the fuge and get the same benefits? Thanks Joe

12/07/2010, 09:10 PM	#22
Mike P Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Berea, OH Posts: 96	I have a DSB that I love a lot. It only gave me a problem once right after the cycle, but it corrected itself. My advice is do some major research on both and find which one suits YOU the best. It really doesn't matter either way.