Deep Sand Bed

[garybuk]

Hello can someone explaine deep sand bed ( i know what it is) but what does it do! does water have to flow thur it or over it!

I have a deep sand bed in my sump is this ok? what do i need to know?

Ben im sure you can help i rember reading somethink about you making one for your tank but others welcome to help

 

[ben1987]

They usally home loads of bacteria that help keep your water nice. Nitrates down etc. Im still working on mine. My idea was to have water from my skimmer flow over the sand bed and then drain back to the sump. Water usually flows over them iirc and they only need gentle flow so the water gets a while in contact with the sand. Usually people seed them with a scoop or two live sand from their main tank and a bit of LR rubble. Might be an idea to have a light and soem alage in there too.

 

[karaim]

Hello can someone explaine deep sand bed ( i know what it is) but what does it do! does water have to flow thur it or over it!

I have a deep sand bed in my sump is this ok? what do i need to know?

Ben im sure you can help i rember reading somethink about you making one for your tank but others welcome to help

I do not have a DSB, but I have been reading up a lot about it and might set one up some day.

Basically, in the Nitrogen cycle, you have bacteria that turn ammonia into nitrite. Then you have bacteria that turn the nitrite into nitrate. The final step in the nitrogen cycle is bacteria turning nitrate into nitrogen, which leaves the water in gas form. This nitrate consuming bacteria (the ones that turn nitrate into nitrogen) live in places where there isn't a lot of oxygen (hence the name anaerobic bacteria). There are some in your live rock, but not nearly enough to get rid of all of your nitrates. That's why many people create a deeb sand bed, where there is very, very little oxygen. Thus, the anaerobic bacteria can develop and live there, and consume your nitrates.

Now in order for the DSB to work, it needs to be at least 4 inches deep because otherwise oxygen will penetrate the sand bottom and the anaerobic bacteria will not be able to survive.

The problem with a DSB is that if it is disturbed, it can release toxic gasses which can kill all of your aquatic life. Thus, it's not recommended to set up a DSB in the display tank (because fish and inverts will disturb it, thus potentially releasing toxic gases). But setting up a DSB in the sump, where it won't be disturbed can be a good idea.

Regarding your question about the water, the water is usually pumped from the top of the DSB (and it penetrates the bottom). No special setup is really required.

Hope this helps.

 

[garybuk]

Hello can someone explaine deep sand bed ( i know what it is) but what does it do! does water have to flow thur it or over it!

I have a deep sand bed in my sump is this ok? what do i need to know?

Ben im sure you can help i rember reading somethink about you making one for your tank but others welcome to help

I do not have a DSB, but I have been reading up a lot about it and might set one up some day.

Basically, in the Nitrogen cycle, you have bacteria that turn ammonia into nitrite. Then you have bacteria that turn the nitrite into nitrate. The final step in the nitrogen cycle is bacteria turning nitrate into nitrogen, which leaves the water in gas form. This nitrate consuming bacteria (the ones that turn nitrate into nitrogen) live in places where there isn't a lot of oxygen (hence the name anaerobic bacteria). There are some in your live rock, but not nearly enough to get rid of all of your nitrates. That's why many people create a deeb sand bed, where there is very, very little oxygen. Thus, the anaerobic bacteria can develop and live there, and consume your nitrates.

Now in order for the DSB to work, it needs to be at least 4 inches deep because otherwise oxygen will penetrate the sand bottom and the anaerobic bacteria will not be able to survive.

The problem with a DSB is that if it is disturbed, it can release toxic gasses which can kill all of your aquatic life. Thus, it's not recommended to set up a DSB in the display tank (because fish and inverts will disturb it, thus potentially releasing toxic gases). But setting up a DSB in the sump, where it won't be disturbed can be a good idea.

Regarding your question about the water, the water is usually pumped from the top of the DSB (and it penetrates the bottom). No special setup is really required.

Hope this helps.

\
WoW Thanks, So is deeper the better??? what about lighting does it have to be dark or light or dont matter?

 

[ben1987]

Id aim for 6-8"
How is it set up in your sump? any pics?

 

[garybuk]

Id aim for 6-8"
How is it set up in your sump? any pics?

Ill get pics eaither tonight or tomorow! lost my digi cam and my phones crap and no point taking pics


karaim does it matter what sand? can i use a mixture? what do i need to look out for to see if its working?

 

[ben1987]

Well its going to take a while to seed garry. So effects/signs of it working will not be obvious for a while. But in the long run - lower nitrates.
Ive seen a few which layer a couple of different sands on top of each other that looked quite a good way. Or quite chunky sand going up to finer. I think any can be used though

 

[garybuk]

Well its going to take a while to seed garry. So effects/signs of it working will not be obvious for a while. But in the long run - lower nitrates.
Ive seen a few which layer a couple of different sands on top of each other that looked quite a good way. Or quite chunky sand going up to finer. I think any can be used though

Thanks ben (by the way have you seen my new fish its hideing can you see it tho )

 

[karaim]

Id aim for 6-8"
How is it set up in your sump? any pics?

Ill get pics eaither tonight or tomorow! lost my digi cam and my phones crap and no point taking pics


karaim does it matter what sand? can i use a mixture? what do i need to look out for to see if its working?

I agree with Ben: 6-8" sounds good. I've also seen different people using different sands, and sometimes a mixture of smaller and larger grains (that way different kinds of bacteria can flourish). I think pretty much any type of sand should work (crushed coral will not work however).

Oh and like Ben said, it will take a long time for you to see the results. But in the long run, you should see a gradual reduction of nitrates.

 

[xxBarneyxx]

apprently with finer grain sand you dont need it to be as deep (as its more compact and there is less water flow).