should I increase my sandbed??

bongobrian · 10-03-2001, 01:49 PM

I guess I am asking this question because I'm still not happy with my nitrate levels in my water (20ppm consistantly) and I'm currently trying to do everything I can to bring that down. I recently purchased quite a hefty load of caulerpa and put it in my tank. I am wondering if I should also increase my sandbed to help with this prob. Currently I have about two inches of crushed coral in the bottom of my tank. I have one more bag of crushed coral and I've been debating on adding that. My tank seems to be doing quite well, so I'm not sure if I should even risk putting more gravel in. How much of a risk would it be?

**golfish** · 10-03-2001, 04:02 PM

Brian,
Crushed coral will not help lower nitrates. IMO, crushed coral is probably your nitrate problem. I would remove all the CC and add some type of sugar grain aragonite sand (Oolitic)

icemark · 10-03-2001, 05:33 PM

In my FOWLR I battled nitrate levels and the dreded Hair Algae for over a year, until I pulled out the CC and replaced it with a true DSB.

I was reluctant to even try since I have had FOWLR and reef tanks for 10+ years using CC with no apparent major problems, and was feeling that perhaps this talk about DSB was just another UV or other Fad, without proven results.

However once I have tried a DSB functioning for more than 1 year with no problems, I will not go back. I am convinced that a properly functioning DSB with critters is the only way to go. I have replaced all my CC tanks with fine grain DSBs.

Remove the CC sand bed and replace it with a small grain DSB. It will make all the difference.

dattack · 10-04-2001, 09:21 AM

I third the advice of removing the crush coral and adding the DSB.

Reinhold · 10-04-2001, 09:41 AM

Absolutely replace the crushed coral! I hesitated for years when I had a FO tank. I thought the CC was easier to keep vacuumed and cleaned. I always had nitrates.

Since removing my CC and placing a DSB, my nitrates are always zero, and I NEVER have to clean the sand. The detrivores that live on and in the sand clean it every night.

organicreefer · 10-04-2001, 10:23 PM

DSB!DSB!DSB!I think the vast majority of reefland would chant alongDSB!DSB!DSB!

i even have a dsb(silica,some aragonite/cc) in my freshwater african cichlid tank..........it works!

10-03-2001, 01:49 PM	#1
bongobrian Mayor Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan Posts: 657	should I increase my sandbed?? I guess I am asking this question because I'm still not happy with my nitrate levels in my water (20ppm consistantly) and I'm currently trying to do everything I can to bring that down. I recently purchased quite a hefty load of caulerpa and put it in my tank. I am wondering if I should also increase my sandbed to help with this prob. Currently I have about two inches of crushed coral in the bottom of my tank. I have one more bag of crushed coral and I've been debating on adding that. My tank seems to be doing quite well, so I'm not sure if I should even risk putting more gravel in. How much of a risk would it be? __________________ Brian For those about to rock... I salute you! www.bongobrian.com Talk to me! aol: bongobrian78 msn: bongobrian@hotmail.com yahoo: bongobrian78

10-03-2001, 05:33 PM	#3
icemark Governor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Rohnert Park, CA, USA Posts: 1,102	In my FOWLR I battled nitrate levels and the dreded Hair Algae for over a year, until I pulled out the CC and replaced it with a true DSB. I was reluctant to even try since I have had FOWLR and reef tanks for 10+ years using CC with no apparent major problems, and was feeling that perhaps this talk about DSB was just another UV or other Fad, without proven results. However once I have tried a DSB functioning for more than 1 year with no problems, I will not go back. I am convinced that a properly functioning DSB with critters is the only way to go. I have replaced all my CC tanks with fine grain DSBs. Remove the CC sand bed and replace it with a small grain DSB. It will make all the difference. __________________ Play well Mark www.mazdamark.com

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10-03-2001, 04:02 PM	#2
golfish Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Alta Loma,Ca Posts: 2,935	Brian, Crushed coral will not help lower nitrates. IMO, crushed coral is probably your nitrate problem. I would remove all the CC and add some type of sugar grain aragonite sand (Oolitic)

10-04-2001, 09:21 AM	#4
dattack Council Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: anaheim, CA Posts: 347	I third the advice of removing the crush coral and adding the DSB.

10-04-2001, 09:41 AM	#5
Reinhold Mayor Join Date: May 2001 Location: USA Posts: 941	Absolutely replace the crushed coral! I hesitated for years when I had a FO tank. I thought the CC was easier to keep vacuumed and cleaned. I always had nitrates. Since removing my CC and placing a DSB, my nitrates are always zero, and I NEVER have to clean the sand. The detrivores that live on and in the sand clean it every night.

10-04-2001, 10:23 PM	#6
organicreefer Governor Join Date: May 2001 Location: Northern CA Posts: 2,171	DSB!DSB!DSB!I think the vast majority of reefland would chant alongDSB!DSB!DSB! i even have a dsb(silica,some aragonite/cc) in my freshwater african cichlid tank..........it works!

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