DSB vs ATS vs GFO

SFish · 04/22/2016, 09:19 AM

Ok so I plan on running a 75gal mixed reef. I have two sumps one is a 20gallon long which will mostly be taken up by the skimmer and return pump the 2nd sump is a little less then a 10gallon tall. I'm open as to what to do with this tank. I was thinking of putting a deep sand bed in it but I know these come with risks. I'm going to run an ATS for sure so is it worth the risk of running a DSB as well or is that over kill? I also have piping set to run two reactors. I'm going to run carbon in one for sure so if an ATS couldn't keep up I could run GFO. Just not sure about the DSB. I keep going back and forth on it.

pyithar · 04/22/2016, 11:07 AM

i had dsb in one chamber of my sump before. but i could keep the nutrients very low with ats and skimming alone so i took it out. if i need to do dsb again, i'd probably do the rdsb (bucket dsb). it'll be a lot easier to take it offline if i don't want it anymore.

SFish · 04/22/2016, 11:49 AM

That's pretty much what my 2nd sump would be if I had a DSB in it. It could be taken out easily. The thing that kind a scares me about DSBs is reading about so many system crashes.

Thanks

JammyBirch · 04/22/2016, 01:16 PM

The ATS in my opinion will beat the GFO and DSB hands down everytime. I still cannot believe how efficient mine is. I would skip the DSB use that 10g tall for a refugium with macro algae and an ATS feeding it.

SFish · 04/22/2016, 01:42 PM

Thanks

I'll probably fill it with marinepure plates

kgeig001 · 04/25/2016, 07:58 PM

Why not just have all three. I have a set up similar to what your planning it sounds like. I have a 30 gallon sump that is connected to a 12 gallon refugium with a deep sand bed. If I wanted to add an ATS, I always could. Why limit yourself. I have been running a moderately deep sand bed in my sump as well as my refugium for over 2 1/2 years with no problems what so ever. I have never ever had high nitrates or phosphates in my 220 gallon mixed reef. I also run GFO and carbon in two separate reactors.
Here's my setup in my fish/filtration room:

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MidTnMike41 · 04/26/2016, 12:22 PM

I recently ditched the refugium and started vinegar dosing. My chaeto was not removing enough nitrates. I had a major GHA outbreak in my DT, My nutrients are back down to 0 and the GHA is dieing off. Once things settle down I would like to try ATS. Carbon dosing is working great right now but I am little concerned about the long term effects.

SFish · 04/26/2016, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgeig001

Why not just have all three. I have a set up similar to what your planning it sounds like. I have a 30 gallon sump that is connected to a 12 gallon refugium with a deep sand bed. If I wanted to add an ATS, I always could. Why limit yourself. I have been running a moderately deep sand bed in my sump as well as my refugium for over 2 1/2 years with no problems what so ever. I have never ever had high nitrates or phosphates in my 220 gallon mixed reef. I also run GFO and carbon in two separate reactors.
Here's my setup in my fish/filtration room:

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

I think from what I remember it's around the 5 year mark when things can get dicey for a DSB. An ATS would consume all the PO4 from what I've read (if it's set up right) so running GFO all the time would be pointless I would think. I would only use it as a back up in case of a big out break. I know I read that people said their cheato died when running an ATS. Not sure if a DSB long side and ATS would do anything? How many inches of sand do you have in that tank? Isn't a DSB 6" to 8"?

SFish · 04/26/2016, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MidTnMike41

I recently ditched the refugium and started vinegar dosing. My chaeto was not removing enough nitrates. I had a major GHA outbreak in my DT, My nutrients are back down to 0 and the GHA is dieing off. Once things settle down I would like to try ATS. Carbon dosing is working great right now but I am little concerned about the long term effects.

Not really a fan of carbon dosing. If I were to do it I'd run bio pellets. An ATS or DSB seems like a more natural way to do the same thing.

MidTnMike41 · 04/26/2016, 12:49 PM

Carbon dosing was not my first preference, I tried a few other things first. I have to say though carbon dosing has saved my tank and was extremely cheap. I am just concerned about the long term effects. I would rather also do things the natural way but I will probably stick with vinegar until I see really good results and methods of ATS.

kgeig001 · 04/26/2016, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SFish

I think from what I remember it's around the 5 year mark when things can get dicey for a DSB. An ATS would consume all the PO4 from what I've read (if it's set up right) so running GFO all the time would be pointless I would think. I would only use it as a back up in case of a big out break. I know I read that people said their cheato died when running an ATS. Not sure if a DSB long side and ATS would do anything? How many inches of sand do you have in that tank? Isn't a DSB 6" to 8"?

I would say having a DSB in your refugium is a lot different than having one in your main display. In the refugium, it's very easy to remove or clean the top layer compared to the main tank. My DSB is only like 4 inches, that's why I said it's a moderately deep sand bed. I believe the beneficial bacteria that is in the sand bed has helped keep my parameters stable. I'm not trying to say you need it but I do believe it helps. As far as GFO, I spend about 6 dollars a month on GFO. I think it's well worth the expense. I've been running it since I set the tank up so I don't plan on stopping...who knows, maybe I dont need to run it 24/7 but for me it's piece of mind.
Good luck on however you choose to run your system. You just need to find what works for you and stick with it.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

SFish · 04/26/2016, 02:53 PM

I thought this was a pretty good thread about them. I know they work.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2268433

04/22/2016, 09:19 AM	#1
SFish Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 2,062	DSB vs ATS vs GFO Ok so I plan on running a 75gal mixed reef. I have two sumps one is a 20gallon long which will mostly be taken up by the skimmer and return pump the 2nd sump is a little less then a 10gallon tall. I'm open as to what to do with this tank. I was thinking of putting a deep sand bed in it but I know these come with risks. I'm going to run an ATS for sure so is it worth the risk of running a DSB as well or is that over kill? I also have piping set to run two reactors. I'm going to run carbon in one for sure so if an ATS couldn't keep up I could run GFO. Just not sure about the DSB. I keep going back and forth on it.

04/22/2016, 11:07 AM	#2
pyithar Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: yangon,burma(myanmar) Posts: 1,786	i had dsb in one chamber of my sump before. but i could keep the nutrients very low with ats and skimming alone so i took it out. if i need to do dsb again, i'd probably do the rdsb (bucket dsb). it'll be a lot easier to take it offline if i don't want it anymore. __________________ take it easy, pyithar Current Tank Info: 150G display, 50G sump, mixed reef

04/22/2016, 01:16 PM	#4
JammyBirch Aquaria Engineering Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Elkland, PA Posts: 1,182	The ATS in my opinion will beat the GFO and DSB hands down everytime. I still cannot believe how efficient mine is. I would skip the DSB use that 10g tall for a refugium with macro algae and an ATS feeding it. __________________ 25g cube, split 10g sump with refugium, Jebao RW4, reefbreeder value Livestock adds: Osc Clowns, Royal Gramma, Pygmy Cherub Angel, Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, Serpent Brittle Star Current Tank Info: 25 gallon cube

04/26/2016, 12:22 PM	#7
MidTnMike41 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Murfreesboro, TN Posts: 69	I recently ditched the refugium and started vinegar dosing. My chaeto was not removing enough nitrates. I had a major GHA outbreak in my DT, My nutrients are back down to 0 and the GHA is dieing off. Once things settle down I would like to try ATS. Carbon dosing is working great right now but I am little concerned about the long term effects. __________________ 90 Gallon corner flow, Synergy 34 sump, Vertex Omega 150, Jeabra DC return pump, Apex,s,2 AI Hydra 26's, Cobalt 250W Heater, WAV Powerheads, DOS, BRS dual reactor. Current Tank Info: 90 Gallon

04/26/2016, 12:49 PM	#10
MidTnMike41 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Murfreesboro, TN Posts: 69	Carbon dosing was not my first preference, I tried a few other things first. I have to say though carbon dosing has saved my tank and was extremely cheap. I am just concerned about the long term effects. I would rather also do things the natural way but I will probably stick with vinegar until I see really good results and methods of ATS. __________________ 90 Gallon corner flow, Synergy 34 sump, Vertex Omega 150, Jeabra DC return pump, Apex,s,2 AI Hydra 26's, Cobalt 250W Heater, WAV Powerheads, DOS, BRS dual reactor. Current Tank Info: 90 Gallon

04/22/2016, 11:49 AM	#3
SFish Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 2,062	That's pretty much what my 2nd sump would be if I had a DSB in it. It could be taken out easily. The thing that kind a scares me about DSBs is reading about so many system crashes. Thanks

04/22/2016, 01:42 PM	#5
SFish Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 2,062	Thanks I'll probably fill it with marinepure plates

04/26/2016, 02:53 PM	#12
SFish Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 2,062	I thought this was a pretty good thread about them. I know they work. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2268433 Last edited by SFish; 04/26/2016 at 03:06 PM.