Deep Sand Bed in Sump - Yes or No?

[daverf]

I've done all the reading on these, but would appreciate hearing from those with DSB experience view them as helpful. Right now I have one in my sump - 6" bed / 40# total. I just put my big Upflow Algae Scrubber online, which in my mind makes the DSB look like the ugly duckling brother. It gets in the way, and I think I want to get rid of it. Maybe even pull it out and replace it with a second skimmer?

I understand that some of the maintenance companies around town have started skipping them (and fuges in general) for new clients, due to their being more of a headache/risk than benefit. Any insight on that?

Should I keep mine or not?

 

[Haulin Oates]

Deep Sand Bed in Sump - Yes or No?

I love mine! And it's not really to look at, because the anoxic area usually turns nasty black looking, that's why it's in the sump. I tried crushed coral in a previous tank... That was a def. bust. I like the really fine sand and I have a 6" DSB under my macro algea.

 

[master NooB]

What were the headaches for dsb you are reading about?

 

[daverf]

I love mine! And it's not really to look at, because the anoxic area usually turns nasty black looking, that's why it's in the sump. I tried crushed coral in a previous tank... That was a def. bust. I like the really fine sand and I have a 6" DSB under my macro algea.

Jack, thanks for the Yes vote...sorry my "look" comment was confusing as I really don't look at mine...I was referring to how the UAS may do so much more nitrate reduction that a DSB wouldn't add much. Do you think yours makes a big nitrate reduction difference?

What were the headaches for dsb you are reading about?

Andrew, sounds like some people don't really think it makes a big enough impact on reducing nitrates for the problems it could cause such as if you have to pull it, if you accidentally stir it, if your sump loses power or goes offline for any amount of time and causes it to go bad, etc. It could just be the kind of headaches that only maintenance companies have with tanks all over town that get once-weekly visits, and not people watching their tank closely every day.

 

[master NooB]

Oh ok... So your not supposed to stir your sand? And how did you know my name was Andrew? Lol

 

[Haulin Oates]

Deep Sand Bed in Sump - Yes or No?

I see it as a proven nitrate filter, BUT I think they need to be sized appropriate to the total water volume. I had about 40# for my 120gal (~150 total water volume) that couldn't keep up. I now have the same size on a ~60gal total water volume. It's doing a lot better. I'm also going to start an ATS of some kind in a bit, as there seems to be a lot of positive feedback from those trying it. But again, those need to be size appropriate. I think I might drill a 10 gal tank for mine, and have the entire thing be a turf scrubber.

 

[Haulin Oates]

Deep Sand Bed in Sump - Yes or No?

Oh ok... So your not supposed to stir your sand? And how did you know my name was Andrew? Lol

NO!!! Don't ever stir up a DSB!! You can crash your tank that way!!

 

[master NooB]

Oh... Why have sand sifting snails and starfish and such in there than?

 

[Haulin Oates]

Deep Sand Bed in Sump - Yes or No?

Oh... Why have sand sifting snails and starfish and such in there than?

You can (and should) stir your regular sand bed to keep detrus from collecting there... We're talking about Deep Sand Beds. Usually these are in the sump. A deep sand bed utilizes anoxic bacteria (bacteria that can't touch oxygen) to consume nitrates.

 

[master NooB]

Oh... I was told to keep sand sifters in my dsb

 

[Haulin Oates]

Deep Sand Bed in Sump - Yes or No?

Oh... I was told to keep sand sifters in my dsb

Hmmm. I suppose if they just sifted the first inch or so that'd be ok... But the bacteria utilized in the anoxic area can become poisonous if stirred up into the oxygenated area. That's where the tank crashes happen.

 

[Haulin Oates]

Deep Sand Bed in Sump - Yes or No?

Sorry, I've been meaning to say anaerobic, not anoxic.

 

[Craigar]

Deep Sand Bed in Sump - Yes or No?

I have 500 lbs of deep sand bed in my system and I dont touch it if you have the room why not

 

[280g-reefman]

I have a 125g refugium with a 6" dsb. I dont stir the sand but do have nasarus snails. Also have caluerpa. Read the deep roots in the sand are a good thing. I love a mix of biological and chemical filtration for a system, it has always worked great for me with corals and fish.

 

[SAZAMA]

no reason to imo,as there are several products on the market that can reproduce the same results, without have the potential for a system nuke.
http://www.marinedepot.com/Red_Sea_...or_Additives-Red_Sea-RS22203-FIADSAWE-vi.html

 

[DyM]

For me , I started with a DSB in the sump and main display. 30 gal then, and 72gal respectively. There came a time they couldn't keep up with no3 and po4 export. That caused old tank syndrome after up and running for 3.5 yrs. today I don't have a DSB at all. They do work...

 

[daverf]

Hey All, great pros/cons, appreciate all the perspective. I may keep mine for a while, since its fairly established, then pull it after the UAS has been in swing for awhile...so I have a better idea of the net impact...

 

[Coloradoreefer]

I have never had any issues with having a DSB. My tank has roughly 4 1/2 DSB and the sump has 6 sitting under my macro algae. I love the fact I have natural filtration along with LR in my sump. It can be a pain though because of the light in my sump and the coraline algae that grows all over everything. So it does add some extra work along the way. I do know that having a sump with just LR and the proper equipment to filter the water works too. It's just a preference I guess. Sometimes I enjoy just watching the refugium for some reason. It's a whole nother world under my display that I can chill and watch.