Refugium sand

[Murica]

I've decided to completely change my sump around and make a refugium with a 36 gallon bow front I have.

Deep sand bed or no?

If deep, do you have to clean them?

 

[tdileo]

You have to clean the DSB every so often. Nassarius snails may help keep it a bit safer though.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

You don't clean a deep sand bed.
You do need a lot of diverse worms and snail and pods to keep flow in and through it.


http://www.ronshimek.com/deep_sand_beds.html

 

[Murica]

Is deep the way to go in a refugium though?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

It's option. And a method.
It gives more surface area for bacteria and adds micro fauna to break down waste.
Some say it adds an amount of food to the water as well in the form of bacterias and and animal waste.

Ceramic media is similar without the micro fauna, bio pellets are in a way similar as it's a method for nutrient control.

Again, method and style of reefing. They all work, and similarly all have risks.

I currently have three Dsb. One in dt and fuge and one in my coral qt. My nitrates are generally quite low.

But I also like bugs and micro fauna.

 

[Murica]

It's option. And a method.
It gives more surface area for bacteria and adds micro fauna to break down waste.
Some say it adds an amount of food to the water as well in the form of bacterias and and animal waste.

Ceramic media is similar without the micro fauna, bio pellets are in a way similar as it's a method for nutrient control.

Again, method and style of reefing. They all work, and similarly all have risks.

I currently have three Dsb. One in dt and fuge and one in my coral qt. My nitrates are generally quite low.

But I also like bugs and micro fauna.

Me too plus the pods are great for food. I tried the ceramic balls and they worked great but the detritus built up really fast.

 

[tdileo]

You don't clean a deep sand bed.
You do need a lot of diverse worms and snail and pods to keep flow in and through it.


http://www.ronshimek.com/deep_sand_beds.html

Everything I've read about them says you need to clean it and slowly replace some sand as it ages

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Everything I've read about them says you need to clean it and slowly replace some sand as it ages

Reread that article I posted. He was the THE Dsb guy with decades of research.

Yes it is a good idea to add sand. Cleaning it is incorrect, it would stir huge amounts nutints into the water.

If you have links to the cleaning Dsb I would not mind reading them. I have never heard of it from experts save from hobbyists opinions on forums.

 

[tdileo]

Reread that article I posted. He was the THE Dsb guy with decades of research.

Yes it is a good idea to add sand. Cleaning it is incorrect, it would stir huge amounts nutints into the water.

If you have links to the cleaning Dsb I would not mind reading them. I have never heard of it from experts save from hobbyists opinions on forums.

http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/f6/dsb-cleaning-161531.html#/topics/161531 is one of many. I don't know who to consider an expert in the hobby exept maybe Melev's Reef?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/f6/dsb-cleaning-161531.html#/topics/161531 is one of many. I don't know who to consider an expert in the hobby exept maybe Melev's Reef?

Sorry I don't see melev in that thread only hobbyist conversation.

There are a number of scientific references here in this article.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/6/aafeature
.

 

[tdileo]

Sorry I don't see melev in that thread only hobbyist conversation.

There are a number of scientific references here in this article.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/6/aafeature
.

Lol I didn't mean melev was in there, only that he was what I consider a saltwater aquarium expert

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Lol I didn't mean melev was in there, only that he was what I consider a saltwater aquarium expert

Haha. Got it.
I agree, finding the true experts is really really hard.

 

[Jack Eskay]

Just curious but is keeping bare bottom with just algae in it also good or should I add rock/ sand to it?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Just curious but is keeping bare bottom with just algae in it also good or should I add rock/ sand to it?

IMO. It is also fine to do. Many like to be able to clean out detritus easily. For most ,just starting with a refugium I reccomend it. If you'd like to add rock, I reccomend large pieces rather than rubble.

It all works.

 

[Jack Eskay]

IMO. It is also fine to do. Many like to be able to clean out detritus easily. For most ,just starting with a refugium I reccomend it. If you'd like to add rock, I reccomend large pieces rather than rubble.

It all works.

Ok thanks so much for the help!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Ok thanks so much for the help!

Your welcome!

 

[Murica]

Let me re phrase the question... What's the best bottom for a sump?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

If they all work and work well, what is best?

 

[Murica]

And that's the question haha. I just don't know if I should buy sand tomorrow or not. I obviously want it to work well but I also want pods and what not but I hear horror stories of tanks crashing with sand beds

 

[Rufus’ goofs]

Let me re phrase the question... What's the best bottom for a sump?

"What's the best ____?" is such a loaded question. In my experience, it usually results in confusion, frustration or both.

I like the bare bottoms in my running sumps right now. I load them up with really large pieces of extra rock to improve nitrate destruction.
If you're not worried about aluminium I would consider something like MarinePure blocks or plates.

If you're going to do sand, I am of no help and have no quality input. :D