To DSB or Not to DSB

[stang69]

To DSB or Not to DSB thats the question. I am getting a 60x18x24 acrilic euro braced tank next month. It is going to be a sps dominated tank with a 55 gallon sump. I am also going to have a closed loop run by a mag 12 or 18 not sure......... But anyways. Mag 12 return pump from a 55 gallon sump prob. divided so I can have a DSB in the sump. sump will be lit with dual 96 watt pc's. Main tank will be lit with 440 watts of VHO and dual AB 175 MH. Very Low bio load 2 damsils and a Mandrin. Do I need a DSb in the main tank or can I get away with a cpl of inches?

Yes or No and ytour thinking behind your answer pls.

TIA
Jeff

[tendar]

I am setting up a simualar sized tank 60x24x21. I am going to have a 60 gall sump. I am going to have 1-2" sand bed in display and a deep sand bed in most of the sump. Hopfully the deep sand be in the sump will be enough. I just cant give up 4-5" of depth in the display for sand on this tank.

[kevinpo]

I would go with the DSB since you are going to use 175W bulbs. It will increase their effectiveness also you can have a more sculpted bottom (some areas can be 2.5" deep and others 5" deep). I will be ordering another pallet of Reefpure Aragonite soon. I will be bringing some of it to the next PSAS meeting. I will be offering a discount to PSAS members.

Regards,
Kevin

[Caesar Augustus]

I think that a DSB is always a good idea. I hate to give up the realestate but what can you do.
Napoleon

[stang69]

Ok Can I use the sand in my current tank and just move it. Put all the corals in rubbermaids with heaters Ph's? It would cycle just like a reg tank would right?.

[MtnDewMan]

Jeff,

I have seen success with both a sand bed and also systems without a sandbed. Personally I like them for the filtration they do to the full water column in the main tank. You can put a sand bed in a sump system but in my opinion that sump should be very large and have enough flow go through it to be just as effective.

Thin sand beds are good for looks, but probably won't do much for denitrification without some other means in the system (refugium with lots of nutrient export, sump sand bed, etc ) ....

[almostdiva]

I changed over from crushed coral (maybe 1/3 -1/2 inch) to a 5 inch DSB in my 55 just about a year ago. MUCH more stable system, IMO. As Napoleon said, you hate to give up the real estate, but I think it's DEFINITELY worth it. And they look cool, too!

Rebecca

[stang69]

Ok I bagged the cls and ordered a Turbelle Stream 6080 wohoooooo. As far as the sand bed I have a dsb now and was wondering if I could put a cpl inches in the main tank and the remainder in the sump. Would if have the same effect as in the main tank.


Jeff

[SPasse]

stang69,

Having say two inches in the main tank and four inches in the sump does not have the same overall effect as having 6” in any one place.

A DSB has an oxygen gradient that supports different kinds of “life zones” depending on the oxygen levels.

With my experimentations, I have found that a 6” deep DSB exhibits additional nitrate processing ability over say a 4” deep (or less)

If you don’t want any more than 2” in the main tank, a 6” deep bed in the sump would be beneficial.

Regards,

Scott