Should I do a DEEP Sand Bed?

[seth the wine guy]

I see conflicting results and opinions on deep sand beds. I'm having to custom build the tank as it is so I'm wondering if I should make it taller to accommodate a bed as deep as 6". I had planned on doing a 24" tall but with a deep sand bed I would go taller. I want to maintain a 24" clearance from the water surface to the bottom. Since it allows for better accessibility for my arms and light penetration.
What are your experiences with DSB's over the LONG term?

 

[mockery]

Personally I would not. If for some strange weird reason it gets disturbed and that stuff gets exposed it will wipe out your whole system.

 

[seth the wine guy]

Mockery;585548 wrote: Personally I would not. If for some strange weird reason it gets disturbed and that stuff gets exposed it will wipe out your whole system.

Thanks! My 3 MP40's would likely provide that STRANGE WIERD REASON.

 

[smoothie]

What lights, what filtration and is it long term?

The 3X40's I would go 4" almost regardless. No rule only opinion

 

[hackman72]

Mockery;585548 wrote: Personally I would not. If for some strange weird reason it gets disturbed and that stuff gets exposed it will wipe out your whole system.

I stir mine periodically to feed the corals. They love it when all the stuff hits the water column. Never had any issues.

 

[hackman72]

I have a 5"DSB in my display. I wish I had done it remotly in the sump or something because of the "wall" of sand you see at the bottom of the tank. It looks very unnatural and takes away from it IMO. When I move and redo the tank, I WILL have a DSB but NOT in the DT.

 

[mockery]

Hackman72;585647 wrote: I stir mine periodically to feed the corals. They love it when all the stuff hits the water column. Never had any issues.

When you say periodically how often are you talking?
Because if you let the anaerobic bacteria take over, like your suppose to in a DSB, it can and will crash a tank.
But I don know what you mean Craig, about stirring the poop up the corals do like that.

 

[hackman72]

Mockery;585658 wrote: When you say periodically how often are you talking?
Because if you let the anaerobic bacteria take over, like your suppose to in a DSB, it can and will crash a tank.
But I don know what you mean Craig, about stirring the poop up the corals do like that.

I certainly need to clarify. I stir the top 1 1/2" and not all the way to the bottom. That's a very important detail. Good catch.

 

[mockery]

Hackman72;585662 wrote: I certainly need to clarify. I stir the top 1 1/2" and not all the way to the bottom. That's a very important detail. Good catch.

Yeah a big one. Disgusting what is in that second half!:yuk:

 

[hackman72]

Mockery;585663 wrote: Yeah a big one. Disgusting what is in that second half!:yuk:

Yep. I'm going to be moving and downsizing in the coming months. I really dread breaking it down.

 

[smoothie]

Hackman72;585666 wrote: Yep. I'm going to be moving and downsizing in the coming months. I really dread breaking it down.

When ya need some help with containers or anything lemme know.

 

[mockery]

Hackman72;585666 wrote: Yep. I'm going to be moving and downsizing in the coming months. I really dread breaking it down.

Sorry to hear that. Hope things go smoothly!

 

[hackman72]

Smoothie;585674 wrote: When ya need some help with containers or anything lemme know.

Thanks bro. I've got over 300 lbs of sand in the tank. DSB's take quite a bit when you do it in the DT.

Mockery;585681 wrote: Sorry to hear that. Hope things go smoothly!

This is a good thing. I just bought a house.

 

[smoothie]

Yep

Hackman72;585686 wrote: Thanks bro. I've got over 300 lbs of sand in the tank. DSB's take quite a bit when you do it in the DT.



This is a good thing. I just bought a house.

 

[lilrobb]

Hackman72;585686 wrote: Thanks bro. I've got over 300 lbs of sand in the tank. DSB's take quite a bit when you do it in the DT.



This is a good thing. I just bought a house.

WAIT,

you bought a house and are DOWNsizing?

 

[hackman72]

LilRobb;585736 wrote: WAIT,

you bought a house and are DOWNsizing?

Yessir. I bought 5 1/2 acres of land to build on. There's a '96 doublewide trailer there that I'll live in until I get my house built. The floors aren't all that great so I don't trust anything bigger than a 55g w/out reinforcing the joists. I should be out of it in a year or 2 and upgrading to the 300+ club.