Correct substrate depth?
- Thread starter thbrewst
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There is no "correct" depth.. Its as subjective as aquascaping.. Some run deep sand beds at 6" or more.. So run a very fine layer of maybe 2"..
Mine is in the danger area of only about 3" or so.. Not deep enough for the effects of DSB and not shallow enough to not "create a problem"
The correct depth would be whatever is appealing to you..
Mine is in the danger area of only about 3" or so.. Not deep enough for the effects of DSB and not shallow enough to not "create a problem"
The correct depth would be whatever is appealing to you..
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What is DSB?
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Okay, figured out that it meant deep sand bed. But what are the affects of a deep sand bed? And what are the problems if it is too shallow?
Deep Sand Bed
There are also RDSB (remote deep sand bed) where as you would fill a container (bucket or so) with sand and have it connected to the tank.. Getting DSB but without is being in the tank or sump..
There are also RDSB (remote deep sand bed) where as you would fill a container (bucket or so) with sand and have it connected to the tank.. Getting DSB but without is being in the tank or sump..
Deep sand beds can in theory hold far more bacteria colonies to ensure more stability and shallow really is there for just because its pleasing to the eye, since it won't have as much surface area its not serving as much purpose.. (I think that's the story with it, in all honesty in 10 years I haven't done a lot of research on sand bed benefits)
Hopefully someone that knows more about this will chime in and correct me..
The trade off (as far as I know) is DSB can become the "patient zero" of tanks crashing if they get stirred up since it is holding more nutrient than a shallow bed that would release less potentially harmful things..
Hopefully someone that knows more about this will chime in and correct me..
The trade off (as far as I know) is DSB can become the "patient zero" of tanks crashing if they get stirred up since it is holding more nutrient than a shallow bed that would release less potentially harmful things..
If you aren't doing a DSB, my recommendation (and what I do) is 3/4" to 1". Easy to clean, nice to look at, functional as well as aesthetic.
If you're doing a DSB it needs to be at least 4" (4-6") Anything in between will be more problematic before a DSB is.
I don't recommend DSB - they do need to be maintained, and they do get "full" - ie they do hit a saturation point and need to be changed out or partly changed out every 2-3 years or so.
More work than they are worth, IMO, and they can become rather unsightly when they start working - all that pretty white sand in the beginning, will take on all kinds of interesting colours as the detritus within starts to be processed - there will be layers of funk, some green, some black, etc.
DSB were all the rage about 8-10 years ago. Once people had them for a while and started encountering problems, many got away from that method (and went bare-bottom!)
Personally I like the more natural look of sand - a shallow, well-maintained bed gives you the best of both worlds.
Jenn
If you're doing a DSB it needs to be at least 4" (4-6") Anything in between will be more problematic before a DSB is.
I don't recommend DSB - they do need to be maintained, and they do get "full" - ie they do hit a saturation point and need to be changed out or partly changed out every 2-3 years or so.
More work than they are worth, IMO, and they can become rather unsightly when they start working - all that pretty white sand in the beginning, will take on all kinds of interesting colours as the detritus within starts to be processed - there will be layers of funk, some green, some black, etc.
DSB were all the rage about 8-10 years ago. Once people had them for a while and started encountering problems, many got away from that method (and went bare-bottom!)
Personally I like the more natural look of sand - a shallow, well-maintained bed gives you the best of both worlds.
Jenn
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Depends on stocklist and your goals for your ecosystem. Current fish list and future inhabitants are needed for proper answer.
Just curious... thinking along those lines, I'm not seeing any drawbacks to a RDSB (assuming one has the room). When it's "done", disconnect and replace sand. Am I missing something?
Also, in a RDSB, is there a depth over which extra depth does nothing of value? To be specific, in my plans for the build I'm starting I'm going to use one of two tanks for this. One is a standard 29g, which is deeper; the other is one of the Oceanic tanks from your store (about 10" deep, but more surface area).
Excuse this if it is an ignorant question, but I'm still 'green'...
If I ran say 1" or so in the tank does in make any sense to have a, albeit small, DSB in the bottom of the fuge? Or given that the fuge is so small compared to the size of the tank is that just a waste of time?
I will be running ~1/3 of a 30g tank as the fuge.
If I ran say 1" or so in the tank does in make any sense to have a, albeit small, DSB in the bottom of the fuge? Or given that the fuge is so small compared to the size of the tank is that just a waste of time?
I will be running ~1/3 of a 30g tank as the fuge.
