Substrate

[scruggs1]

This has probably been beat to death, and I am sorry, but I have been out of the loop for the last 6 years and just now getting back...but, has it actually been proven that a DSB is better than a shallow? I know there were some people, myself included, that switched to no sand at all. Wanting to get the latest info as I am starting anew here in the next week or so. Thanks!

Edit: ...and last I read, a DSB does not do anything but sequester the nitrogen load...it is still there, just waiting to be disturbed and released into the system...which is why I went with bare bottom...but with time there is always new information. There was a camp that believed that somehow the DSB converted it into nitrogen gas that would escape...and someone...I believe Tom Wyatt, the resident chemist of the forum years ago, showed how this was not possible.

 

[rtirado]

From what I have read and heard from experts on this site and in person, it is not advantageous to have a DSB. Mainly because of the detritus and possible lethal gas pockets that can get trapped in the deep bed.

 

[scruggs1]

That is pretty much the sentiment I was left with...and what I was hoping to hear.

I know the smaller grain size of the oolitic dramatically increases surface area, but I remember it was a pain to vacuum because much of it was vacuumed out. Not the issue with coarser grained sand...which is what I am leaning toward at the moment. Thanks!

 

[jef4y]

If I were to do a DSB, I'd do an RDSB (remote DSB) in barrels so that I could pull them out of the loop quickly if needed. That said, too much space required...

Personally , I'll never do another tank with more than 1 - 1.5" substrate again. It's just a PITA and not worth it. The substrate is aesthetic at this point so why bother?

 

[scruggs1]

Pretty much what i was thinking...1 to 1.5 inches of coarse grain sand with a little crushed coral on top for asthetics.

Edit: Are the nassarius snails still regarded as the a premium 'sand sifter' invert?

 

[scruggs1]

At one time they were supposed to be the best regarding how quickly and frequently they moved through the sand...and the idea was that this would keep more detritus in the water colum where the skimmer could pull it out vs having it build up on the bottom.

 

[scruggs1]

bratliff;711219 wrote: Ah. Well, I've only been reefing a few years now and never heard this.

May very well have just been hype that I bought into at the time.

bratliff;711219 wrote: What I've always been told/read is to have a diverse CUC population so, I have several types of snails in my tank as well as a few hermits.

Will have the same here...much of the fun and intrigue of the tank for me is watching the CUC and even the amphi/copepods...at times it seemed they had their own little circus going.