[MonopolyBag]

I recently discovered that and inch or two is not enough for sand bottoms. Best way to do it is mix some crushed coral with A LOT of sand, at least 3"-4" of it. This allows for anaerobic bacteria to grow which is what is needed to remove Nitrates. My tank is new still, and I plan to add more sand.

[patrick1234]

why do you need to mix crushed coral with it?

and also you can have a bed under
3"-4" if you have a fuge on your tank

[stacef]

Hmm so I am confused now. When I set up my tank, advice that I got, was I would be fine with a SSB or DSB. I do not have a fuge. Plenty of sand, and plenty of rock.

So DSB is needed without a fuge??? Just seems different than what most say..

[MonopolyBag]

Well, a refugium yes, would provide much of the same. But in terms of the sand, both me and my friend got many advice that 1"-2" should be fine, but then we read in multiple places in books and online, that more is better.

Sorry, I do not know what SSB or DSB are.


Crushed coral helps just produce a little more air pockets and surface area for different things to live in vs. the sand. That is all. Not needed, but helps.

[e_baer]

Actually, using CC gives LESS surface area than fine sand would. Lets me see if I can find the article about this one....

Here is one. If you go down towards the bottom they will show you sugar sized is best.

DeepSandBeds

And here is another good article by Shimek

Deep Sand Beds

[patrick1234]

you can go with out any sand at all if you want. but stace if your talking about the tank you just set up your fine with the way it is

[e_baer]

i just updated the above post.

No, you do not NEED a DSB (deep sand bed) but the benefits are good. It is like a fuge, you do not need one, but it is helpful.

I personally do not have one, but am in the process of setting one up in my 40g breeder tank. Native is the real expert here about DSB and I am still trying to learn about them, so you may want to ask him for a better explenation.

[stacef]

Originally Posted by patrick1234

you can go with out any sand at all if you want. but stace if your talking about the tank you just set up your fine with the way it is

Yeah that was the tank I was talking about.

Thanks! I was worried for a couple minutes there... hahaha.

[MonopolyBag]

OK yes.... when suing CC this does increase surface area, making anaerobic bacteria detoured, hence reason for a deeper Live sand bed, and over time, the CC will rise to top of sand.


Non of this is needed, it is best for anaerobic bacteria, that is all.

Having CC however provides more places for the aerobic bacteria lost in the deep sand bed.

There is a science to this, and my entire point is to put more care into your substrate because in the long run can be VERY beneficial, just like a refugium.


I have been reading a book that was explaining it to me, and thought I would just throw the idea out there of a deeper sand bed, because I was told 1-2" is enough, but when reading this book and other info it said otherwise, so i am adding more.

[e_baer]

Read under "the secret ingredient"

Deep Sand Beds

[e_baer]

and read this....

DSB article - CALFO

[reefnoob1991]

Crushed coral also allows for waste particles to get trapped in turn raising bad nutrient levels.

[Bamaguy]

Originally Posted by reefnoob1991

Crushed coral also allows for waste particles to get trapped in turn raising bad nutrient levels.

Let's say that I wanted to add more sand. Is the only way to take the water out and and start over?

[NATIVEVAMAN]

Matt,just sink the entire bag to the bottom of the tank.Slit the bag open all the way across the end and sort of let the sand slide out of the bag.Yes you will get a cloud of sand and no it wont hurt anything.When the cloud is gone squirt the dust of the rock and corals and you will be home free.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

Mike,most of the inhabitants of a sand bed of any depth actually move around quite a bit,and because of this movement these critters prefer a sugar sized sand.Crushed coral can actually be an impediment to there life style.You really need to read those articles Elliot put in the thread for you.I think you have been given incorrect information.