Hurrafreaks 120
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But those creatures would only mess with the the aerobic layer of the deep sand bed.
Those "waste pockets" that build up in deep sand beds create methane gas and are usually too deep for "sand sifters" to reach anyway (from what I have heard). Some people don't do deep sand beds for that reason alone because they say that when it releases, those little bubbles of gas kill everything in its path when they release from the sand, but that all controversy of its own. Also believed to be the reason for takeing down so many ships and planes in the Bermuda Triangle obviously on a much bigger scale. I believe that there are little critters that live off of that waste down there anyway that require almost no air (I learned that from jon). But yes, with a deep sand bed, you dont really want the anaerobic and aerobic layers to mix, at least very often. So people with deep sand beds dont normally keep (all) the sand moving all the time.
Those "waste pockets" that build up in deep sand beds create methane gas and are usually too deep for "sand sifters" to reach anyway (from what I have heard). Some people don't do deep sand beds for that reason alone because they say that when it releases, those little bubbles of gas kill everything in its path when they release from the sand, but that all controversy of its own. Also believed to be the reason for takeing down so many ships and planes in the Bermuda Triangle obviously on a much bigger scale. I believe that there are little critters that live off of that waste down there anyway that require almost no air (I learned that from jon). But yes, with a deep sand bed, you dont really want the anaerobic and aerobic layers to mix, at least very often. So people with deep sand beds dont normally keep (all) the sand moving all the time.
The critters that you get for sand sifting are only going to effect the top layer (aerobic layer), they cant go that deep, not enough oxygen and probably too much pressure. The microscopic ones that you get with livesand and LR will do what they need to down in the bottom anaerobic layer but will not move it around, they basically move around it, kinda.
Im sure there are others but thats just one that I know of off the top of my head. Some people that are against it will find anything and everything to say how bad it is even if they dont have the proof to back it up. Kind of conspiracy theory sort of thing. And im sure it goes the other way around too. lol
Well, I have been running a deep sand bed continuously for about 12 years in my parents 135 gallon reef tank. A "deep" sand bed is anything that is typically 3-6" or deeper. At this depth you will culture 2 types of bacteria aerobic, and anaerobic. These two bacteria are integral in the fixing of ammonia into nitrite and nitrite into nitrate. Because they are aerobic (oxygen loving) or anaerobic (oxygen hating) They need to be kept separate of one another, and not stirred up. If you had a mature sand bed and mixed the anaerobic layer into the aerobic and vice versa, you are going to kill off millions of bacteria, thus causing a huge ammonia spike.
It is important to have critters that will keep the top aerobic layer stirred up, as the bacteria NEED oxygen to function, and as such, critters such as nassarius snails, gobies, stars and cukes are important to have.
Juan like I mentioned before, the issue is going to be keeping the slope shaped. It might be worthwile if you are really interested in doing this to seal a glass partition in the bottom of the tank that was say 4" tall, that way, all the sand to one side of that partition would stay put and therfore culture the bacteria you are wanting without the worry of things shifting, and as such ruining your biological filtration.
Cheers~!
Jon
It is important to have critters that will keep the top aerobic layer stirred up, as the bacteria NEED oxygen to function, and as such, critters such as nassarius snails, gobies, stars and cukes are important to have.
Juan like I mentioned before, the issue is going to be keeping the slope shaped. It might be worthwile if you are really interested in doing this to seal a glass partition in the bottom of the tank that was say 4" tall, that way, all the sand to one side of that partition would stay put and therfore culture the bacteria you are wanting without the worry of things shifting, and as such ruining your biological filtration.
Cheers~!
Jon
I agree with Jon about the partition. It will definitely help keep the sandbed stable. I liked deep sandbeds but I normally keep them in the sump. One of these days I'm going to make a deep sandbed out of one of my extra 55gal drums and use it on a breeding setup.
I believe I read somewhere that it helps to have as much flow going over the sandbed without disturbing it. This will keep detritus from accumulating on the top layer.
I believe I read somewhere that it helps to have as much flow going over the sandbed without disturbing it. This will keep detritus from accumulating on the top layer.
