Sand depth??
- Thread starter fish_guy
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This will likely start a jihad. Some people like to go bare bottom. Some prefer a shallow sand bed, and some prefer a deep sand bed (3"+). They all have their own advantages and disadvantages - feel free to research each.
I personally use a shallow sand bed (of about 1") - I don't like to see the bottom of the tank, and I don't have to worry about disrupting the system if I stir up the sand; deep sand beds are good for denitrification, but can lead to problems if disturbed.
I personally use a shallow sand bed (of about 1") - I don't like to see the bottom of the tank, and I don't have to worry about disrupting the system if I stir up the sand; deep sand beds are good for denitrification, but can lead to problems if disturbed.
I use a 1" deep sand bed as well, a bit deeper in my sps tank.
One thing not to do (which I did-newbie mistake): Don't place your rock structure on top of the sand. Build the rock structure on the tank bottom, then put the sand in the tank. In my first reef, I placed the sand, then the rock, then started up the Tunzes, and after a couple days the entire reef structure shifted and I had to redo it.
One thing not to do (which I did-newbie mistake): Don't place your rock structure on top of the sand. Build the rock structure on the tank bottom, then put the sand in the tank. In my first reef, I placed the sand, then the rock, then started up the Tunzes, and after a couple days the entire reef structure shifted and I had to redo it.
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Good advice.
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I actually put my rocks on pieces of eggcrate on the glass to dissipate the weight, then covered the eggcrate with sand.
I'm with Grouper Therapy, Acroholic & Mojo.
I use shallow sand, 3/4" to 1", place the rock on the bare glass first, then place the sand, and I vacuum it regularly. Contrary to what some may say, vacuuming does not strip all the microfauna out of the sand, and it is good to remove the solid waste out of the sand from time to time.
I also like sand-shifting creatures like cucumbers and nassarius snails, so the sand is necessary to them, but not so deep that it becomes problematic down the road.
Jenn
I use shallow sand, 3/4" to 1", place the rock on the bare glass first, then place the sand, and I vacuum it regularly. Contrary to what some may say, vacuuming does not strip all the microfauna out of the sand, and it is good to remove the solid waste out of the sand from time to time.
I also like sand-shifting creatures like cucumbers and nassarius snails, so the sand is necessary to them, but not so deep that it becomes problematic down the road.
Jenn
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I don't understand "problematic down the road".Will a DSB cause problems in the future?
They can become problematic. Once they become saturated, they can leach nutrients back out again causing hair algae and other issues.
If pockets of partly-decomposed matter are disturbed, they can cause water quality problems too.
And, over time, IMO they become unsightly - all the different layers of decomposition turn what was nice, clean, white stand, into various strata of brown, green and/or black. That is not to my liking but that's what's necessary for the bed to be functioning properly.
Jenn
If pockets of partly-decomposed matter are disturbed, they can cause water quality problems too.
And, over time, IMO they become unsightly - all the different layers of decomposition turn what was nice, clean, white stand, into various strata of brown, green and/or black. That is not to my liking but that's what's necessary for the bed to be functioning properly.
Jenn
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OK thanks,you had me worried for a minute,mine is about 4-6",but I also a lot of sand sifters and a sleeper goby that keeps it stirred up pretty good.
I have never kept a DSB but I was always led to believe that disturbing it wasn't a good thing...
There was a big movement toward DSB about 8-9 years ago, and I never got on it. Many people I knew did, and shook their fingers at me for not doing it too. A few years later when they were cursing their leaching mess and removing the sand (many went to the other extreme and Starboard/bare-bottom became the next trend), I just sat back and kept doing what I've always done.
I've had the misfortune of having to remove plenty of DSBs when people hire us to move or tear down tanks. Yuck.
Jenn
There was a big movement toward DSB about 8-9 years ago, and I never got on it. Many people I knew did, and shook their fingers at me for not doing it too. A few years later when they were cursing their leaching mess and removing the sand (many went to the other extreme and Starboard/bare-bottom became the next trend), I just sat back and kept doing what I've always done.
I've had the misfortune of having to remove plenty of DSBs when people hire us to move or tear down tanks. Yuck.
Jenn
