Sand mm size for denitrification

[Miami Reef]

Hey fellas,

I want to add some bottles of sand in my sump for denitrification. Is coarse (crushed coral) or fine sand more effective for denitrification?

 

[Dan_P]

Hey fellas,

I want to add some bottles of sand in my sump for denitrification. Is coarse (crushed coral) or fine sand more effective for denitrification?

Is this anaerobic denitrification or carbon driven? If anaerobic, fine sand.

 

[Miami Reef]

Is this anaerobic denitrification or carbon driven? If anaerobic, fine sand.

Anaerobic.

Thank you. If I decide to add bottles of sand, I’ll use fine. :)

 

[Salty_Northerner]

We used to use what's now called special grade back in the day to build a plenum in the DT. Worked fantastic as long as you leave it alone. So my vote is special grade.. the fine used to be a no go back then. Just my 2 cents

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I don't know that there's really good info on what is best. Larger particle sand will require more depth.

 

[Miami Reef]

Thank you.

How does a person introduce anoxic bacteria? If I add about 6” depth of sand in a large glass, I will have an anoxic area, but how will the bacteria populate this area? If I had such bacteria in my rock work, they will need to travel the water column (oxic) to populate the sand.

 

[brandon429]

not any reefer can harness on purpose what you're aiming for, ergo there's no answer to the question. it's happenstance when a given arrangement reduces nitrate vs produces it, this applies exceptionally by rule to sandbeds. any ten tanks copying the same grain size/depth will have varying outcomes even in the same home. this can't be designed unless you use a reactor externally where variables are tightly controlled, in a display they're not. you are more likely to produce nitrate in the bed vs reduce it given any arrangement.

 

[jda]

No sugar, but not coarse either. Whatever you can get on the beach near the water is OK - whatever that size is. Most places call it mixed grade reef sand. Sugar works fine, it just does not like to stay put, but this might not be an issue in the sump.

3 inches is enough, but deeper can be more effective. With small area, I would go for 5-6 inches.

The bacteria will develop on it's own.

Some flow over/around the bottles will be key.

 

[Miami Reef]

No sugar, but not coarse either. Whatever you can get on the beach near the water is OK - whatever that size is. Most places call it mixed grade reef sand. Sugar works fine, it just does not like to stay put, but this might not be an issue in the sump.

3 inches is enough, but deeper can be more effective. With small area, I would go for 5-6 inches.

The bacteria will develop on it's own.

Some flow over/around the bottles will be key.

Thank you.