Dsb

[Jewel]

What would be the minimum height of a DSB and what sand would be the best to use?

 

[pulpfiction1]

http://www.garf.org/calculators/SandBedCalculator.asp

 

[Jewel]

Thanks for the link Phil. It tells me how much sand I will need and the kind of sand, that's great, I was thinking 6 inches. Do you think that would be enough? This build will be a 36 x 18 x 18 build with no Sump. I was thinking about putting a false wall 6 inches from the back, sorta like an All In One. or Bio-Cube design. WHY The tank is not drilled, I intend on putting a DIY ATS and a Fuge back there. I do have a Skimmer that could be placed back there as well but not 24/7. I will create a compartment on the end for the Skimmer to be placed in there periodically, probably through the night. The DSB will be in the Display.

 

[curiousphil]

I know the minimum is 4 inches for it to function properly.

 

[Jewel]

Also I could set-up a GFO/Carbon reactor on a Temporary basis as well, lots of tinkering but my space is limited and it's just another project that would be fun. My light would be a 4 Bulb Geissman Reflexx T-5, The display would be 36 x 12 x 12 for a Shallow Reef.

 

[pulpfiction1]

Thanks for the link Phil. It tells me how much sand I will need and the kind of sand, that's great, I was thinking 6 inches. Do you think that would be enough? This build will be a 36 x 18 x 18 build with no Sump. I was thinking about putting a false wall 6 inches from the back, sorta like an All In One. or Bio-Cube design. WHY The tank is not drilled, I intend on putting a DIY ATS and a Fuge back there. I do have a Skimmer that could be placed back there as well but not 24/7. I will create a compartment on the end for the Skimmer to be placed in there periodically, probably through the night. The DSB will be in the Display.

im pretty sure it says 4",with a plenun,i would not use one myself,nitrate factory

c/p:
This Sand Bed Calculator is designed to help determine the amount of aragonite substrate needed for your tank. Just enter the length, width, and depth of sand desired and the calculator will display the amount of aragonite needed. Garf recommends the use of a plenum covered with 4 inches of CaribSea Seaflor Special Grade Reef Sand.

 

[Jewel]

I thought it needed to be 8 inches, I'm not sure about the plenum, Is that a under gravel filter?

 

[Jewel]

What if you put Rock Rubble on the bottom and covered it with 6 Inches of Sand?

 

[Jewel]

I've seen people make a structure with egg crate zip tied together, put rock rubble under it, Zip tied egg crate structure 2 inches high then sand on top of it, Is this a Plenum?

 

[EricTMah]

I ran a plenum in my old system of 9 years.

It's basically an under gravel system minus the lifter tubes and circulation through it. Basically it's designed to have a very low oxygen zone under the gravel plate which allows for anaerobic bacteria to break down nitrates. Same concept as those de- nitrate tube filters.

In theory it's a great system. But I only would recommend it in a sump situation(that's how I had it). If you set it up in your dt there's always a chance you will disrupt it and cause oxygen to populate the bottom later. Which will in turn crash your anaerobic bacteria zone and leave you with a nutrient sink.

Sent from my Z30 using Tapatalk

 

[Kman]

If you are going with a DSB a few things you should keep in mind. You need a proper maintenance crew to help maintain the bed. Sand sifting Goby's, olive snails, conchs all go a long way in helping to keep it healthy and not compacted.

Make sure to put the rocks down first for the base of the reef structure and then add the substrate. If you don't you will be building on a few inches of bed and it will do one of two things. It will compact under the rocks and become a nutrient sink and become rock hard. The fish and critters will also dig under it and the rocks will shift and the structure ends up collapsing and then you have rocks falling and breaking glass or killing your corals and fish.
If you want to get creative you can cut short pieces of big PVC pipes and place the rocks on those to help minimize contact of rocks on the bed.

If you decide to install a plenum when going with a DSB it allows for three different zones in the bed. Aerobic (oxygen loving), Anaerobic (Oxygen hating) and Anoxic (dead zone). The Anoxic zone forms under the plenum plate and allows all the byproduct gas to settle. While it is not always needed If you go really deep I would add one. If you do add one look for a screen that will keep everything out. Because if you have a new goby that digs down and goes under it, it kind of defeats the purpose of that zone.

 

[Kman]

I myself don't normally put it in the main tank but in the sump if i set something up like this.

 

[Jewel]

Boy you don't make it easy LOL

 

[Kman]

Nope. haha

You can do it in the DT, some people just prefer it in something like a sump. If you are adding minimal rock or not to much rock and you follow the steps above the DT works. If you are packing it with rocks I would set it up in a sump. In the long run if it is not set up right you will have constant nutrient issues and end up taking it out. That is pain to tear down an established tank.

 

[Jewel]

got it, DSB in the sump is a better option or a remote DSB. Not a viable option for me then. Unless its a RDSB which may be a better option and easily set-up. Pump it up and gravity feed it back. thanks for your help.

 

[barebottomcouple]

I have seen dsb in displays but they used pvc pieces cut to keep rockwork up and not compacting dsb. and creating a nitrogen catch

 

[Kman]

What are you planning to keep? If it is lps or soft corals they are not as picky of the higher nutrients. If you plan sps I would do it remotely /sump. That way you can address an issue if it arises easily.

If you do use a RDSB you can always turn that tank into a lagoon biotope. Add some mangrove trees or algae and some sps.

 

[Jewel]

Lps mostly, and an Eel for sure, I think i'll stay away from SPS, never had the patience for them.