Keeping sand on the bottom question

TekCat · 08/08/2006, 01:53 PM

In my current setup I have 55G tank with DSB (mostly oolithic sand), keeping SPS/LSP. Beside algea issues I have problem with sand particles. I have pretty good flow due to SPS requirement, and sand particles ocasinaly get ripped from the sand bed and become "airborne". This drives me crazy, because tank with floating stuff just looks dirty to me.

Anyway, earlier I decided to remove DSB (because of trapped junk from curing LR on top of sand a year ago), and replace it with just 1" of sand for estetics. My question is what kind of sand will be most likely to "sit stationary" with strong flow?

I know that the bigger particle size, the harder it will be to become "airborne", but at the same time I'd hate to put crushed coral for its infamous ability to trap detrius.
Anyone?

TheFlyingTang · 08/08/2006, 02:13 PM

I would just keep the DSB and turn the flow down a bit, or you could use a "Y" at the discharge ends of your return water. That will allow you to keep the same turnover, but it will disperse the flow a bit.

itz frank · 08/08/2006, 02:52 PM

i agree with the y ends. maybe lower the powerheads and point the flow upwards at an angle. Just keep the current away from the sand.

TekCat · 08/08/2006, 03:06 PM

returns are not the problem, I used SEIO 1100 ph, and it was a nightmare, then switched to SEIO 850 ph, pointed it toward the surface... and still not getting desired result. Besides, making less flow would not be very good for SPS, and for detrius it is gonna be easier to settle down.

In any case I am going to play with flow volume and patterns, but what I'd like to do is to improve my sand bottom. DSB is going to go away, it became dirty and I am loosing battle with algea, it just has too much rotting junk in it.
So, again, what's maximum sand grains I can get away with without making it a nutrient sink (as crushed corral does)?

08/08/2006, 01:53 PM	#1
TekCat Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: MN Posts: 3,130	Keeping sand on the bottom question In my current setup I have 55G tank with DSB (mostly oolithic sand), keeping SPS/LSP. Beside algea issues I have problem with sand particles. I have pretty good flow due to SPS requirement, and sand particles ocasinaly get ripped from the sand bed and become "airborne". This drives me crazy, because tank with floating stuff just looks dirty to me. Anyway, earlier I decided to remove DSB (because of trapped junk from curing LR on top of sand a year ago), and replace it with just 1" of sand for estetics. My question is what kind of sand will be most likely to "sit stationary" with strong flow? I know that the bigger particle size, the harder it will be to become "airborne", but at the same time I'd hate to put crushed coral for its infamous ability to trap detrius. Anyone?

08/08/2006, 02:13 PM	#2
TheFlyingTang Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NW suburbs - Chicago Posts: 150	I would just keep the DSB and turn the flow down a bit, or you could use a "Y" at the discharge ends of your return water. That will allow you to keep the same turnover, but it will disperse the flow a bit.

08/08/2006, 02:52 PM	#3
itz frank Gives Bad Advice. Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ft Lauderdale, FL Posts: 2,168	i agree with the y ends. maybe lower the powerheads and point the flow upwards at an angle. Just keep the current away from the sand.

08/08/2006, 03:06 PM	#4
TekCat Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: MN Posts: 3,130	returns are not the problem, I used SEIO 1100 ph, and it was a nightmare, then switched to SEIO 850 ph, pointed it toward the surface... and still not getting desired result. Besides, making less flow would not be very good for SPS, and for detrius it is gonna be easier to settle down. In any case I am going to play with flow volume and patterns, but what I'd like to do is to improve my sand bottom. DSB is going to go away, it became dirty and I am loosing battle with algea, it just has too much rotting junk in it. So, again, what's maximum sand grains I can get away with without making it a nutrient sink (as crushed corral does)?