Sand Beds

[90galguy]

I've asked this question in the "New Members" area, but I thought I'd ask it her as well hoping to get additional information.

What are the pros and cons of a deep sand bed as opposed to a shallower bed? What depth do you guys use?

Also, I have 40lbs of Agra-Live "live sand". I'm going to be getting additional sand, but can I get dry sand instead of live sand using the 40lbs I have to seed the dry stuff? Also, will this sand seed any dry rock that I get?

I'm assuming it will take longer to cycle like this, but I'm ok with that if everything will cycle correctly.

 

[tony_caliente]

While aesthetically I prefer a sand bed, I don't like teh maintenance. Therefore, I have a bare bottom.

 

[johnmackay70]

Typical wisdom for sand bed depth is either under 2 inches or over 4 (for a Deep Sand Bed or DSB), but not in between. I ran a DSB in a sump for many years back in the 90s, with excellent results..my current build will also have a DSB of around 6" depth.

I deep sand bed (once the bottom layer becomes aerobic) starts disolving small amounts of the substrate (typically aragonite) which in turns leaches trace minerals and calcium to the water column, it also helps to buffer your system. All in all I find it a cheap way to help add a bit of stability to a system - others may argue with this, but I had a 75 gallon softies (with a few choice stonies) tank in the 90s. In that time, I never once added any calcium.

Another pro for the DSB os it helps with Natural Nitrate Reduction (NNR), working with your live rock to reduce nitrate.

Deep sand beds work best with smaller grain size (smaller grains disolve more quickly and trap less junk in the bed).

With a DSP, adding live sand will definitely help your success as it will naturally "stir" the sand and reduce the detritus.

I have never run a DSB in a main tank though, just in a sump, I am not sure that I would like the look as the "edge" of the DSB (up against the glass) can look pretty grungy at times, but at the same time there are some pretty cool creatures you will eventually get to see in the bed that way.

I hope this helps. There is a ton of info on DSPs on the web...just do a web search and do some reading

 

[90galguy]

Thanks for the info. The problem for "newbies" is that the internet is so full of information about the subject that it gets confusing. Some say the love a DSB some say NO WAY!:shout:

 

[johnmackay70]

That is one of the wonderful and terrible things about reefing - there is often many ways to accomplish the same results, and the same methods will work for some but seemingly not for others...Read as much as you can, come up with a plan that you are comfortable with, ask for people to poke holes in your plan (but remember no one method in reefing is perfect, so there will always be someone to shoot you down) and adjust accordingly.

It has been a long time since I have run a reef aquarium, but I do remember a lot about my DSB because it worked so well for me...I know others that blamed everything bad (including their car not starting on their DSB.

PS, I hope to have my reef build done by the new year - I am very excited to have my setup getting close!!!

 

[irahmatulla]

I have done a lot of reading on this subject. The biggest problem with a DSB is that if for any reason once it gets "established" any form of stirring under the top 2 inches will release terrible gas into the system causing crashes.

Ages ago, it was the only way to reef, and for a long time, it was frowned upon. All of the reading I have done at WWM suggests having 4-6 inches of sand bed. I would be sure though, and I mean sure, that your base rocks, never get moved.

Also, let the cycle go a long time before adding the rest of your occupants. Thus allowing all the "critters" time to multiply. Up against the glass, yes it will get a little wonky, but be ever changing.

In my first SW tank ever, I spent more time watching the sand, then the rest of the system. If you run a sump/refugium the benefits can be taken from there. Your display can carry however much sand is aesthetically pleasing. I prefer as much sand as I can take in every application. I currently have a 90g with one inch of gravel with 4 inches of sand on top of that, and getting ready to add 2 more inches. If you have any more questions, or want solid research, search the threads at Wet Web Media.

 

[grouper therapy]

Not a fan myself. First IMO the edge while maybe interesting looks nasty and ugly. They were used mainly when most corals being kept were softies and such that did not require as clean of water as we do now. The buffering capabilities of any beneficial level is debatable .The nitrate reducing capabilities(especially without a plenum) are no where near that of more recent methods of reduction .They are a source of hydrogen sulfide as well which can be detrimental to your tank if too much is released at once hence the do not stir the sand bed warning. The upper layers of the sand bed also have a tendency to trap detritus.I don't think that a DSB's pros out way the con's.
If you think they are beneficial in the ways others have mentioned it would be sensible to look to other methods that are more proficient at such with out the cons.

 

[serpent]

I would have to agree with grouper. I started my current tank ~5-6 years ago with a DSB. About 6 months ago, I started noticing problems with my params, outbreaks of algae, cyno in particular, and polyp retraction. My params tested with extremely high Nitrates and phosphates (sorry don't remember the numbers). In researching the internet, I found a few articles about DSB aging and causing this. I have since been removing the DSB, slowly, and will add back a shallow sand bed.

I will have to say, when it was first setup, it was running great. But, when it started deteriorating, it was bad.