Deep Sand Beds

[Mr_Cool]

Can I get some input? With a deep sand bed (6 in.), is a wet/dry needed?
I guess I don't really mean a "wet/dry." "Sump is probably a better word. If I have a protein skimmer (hang on), is the sump needed?

[Tim Marvin]

A sump is rarely "needed", but is rather a handy place to put equipment out of view. The sump also functions to control water levels in the tank more precisely that just adding water up top. I use part of my sump as a refugium and a place to dump corals I want to get rid of and ban mean fish from the display.

[NaCl_H2O]

What Tim said ... not "needed", but makes for a much more versatile system, plus increases overall water volume.

[Mr_Cool]

Ok. Do you have some time for some other answers?

[Mr_Cool]

(I guess someone will answer this!)

I have a 55 gallon fish only tank. (Just damsels and a wrasse.) I got rid of my crushed coral substate the other day, and put in the deep sand bed. I used dead sand, and need to seed it, but that's another issue. I've been running 2 Emporer 400's and 2 power heads to circulate the water, and it's been doing pretty well for 2 years. I want to make the move to a reef tank. I'm working on getting a protein skimmer. I only have about 10-15 lbs. of live rock, though. Probably should add some more (good idea to seed the sand bed, huh?) but, won't the sand bed work as a filtation system just as well as the normal amount of live rock will?

[NaCl_H2O]

Ok. Do you have some time for some other answers?

Answers are easy, and particular questions you had in mind ;)

[NaCl_H2O]

You definately want more live rock - the live rock is pourous but oxygenated same as the water (or close) and promotes part of the nitrogen cycle (aerobic). The DSB does this also, but only the top 1/2" or so. The deeper regions of the DSB provide the environment needed for another portion of the nitrogen cycle (anaerobic). Do some google searches on "Nitrogen Cycle" and you can get much more detailed info.

[Mr_Cool]

I've read quite a bit on-line, but haven't really seen anything that talks about deep sand beds and live rock combined. So, let me ask this... In a 55 gallon tank with a 6 in. sand bed, how many lbs. of live rock would you suggest?

(BTH, is THAT the tank in your house? WOW!)

[Tim Marvin]

In a 55 I'd do 2-3 inch sand bed and about 60-70lbs of rock. You can get better circulation also if you use a sump and a good return pump.

[gjuarez]

THe more live rock the better, especially if you want to go without a wet/dry filter. You will also probably needed for coral placement. Check out some of the classifieds, you might be able to score a deal.

[demodiki]

We have a 4-6 inch sand bed and 100 lbs of LR in our 55. Lots of choices for you!

[CD]

In a 55 gallon tank with a 6 in. sand bed, how many lbs. of live rock would you suggest?


A lot of that is going to also depend on *what* type of LR you get. Some LR is denser (and therefore heavier) than others. The more porous, the better IMO.

W. :)

[Mr_Cool]

Thanks for the imput!

[NaCl_H2O]

(BTH, is THAT the tank in your house? WOW!)

That's my Nano ;)

[Thunderkat]

I also have a 55 gallon aquarium. I put a sump and fuge on mine and added a plenum to my deep sand bed. I also had about 10 pounds of live rock before I started, I added another 50 pounds (most of it is in my fuge) and my tank runs wonderfully now. I even have coralline algae growing on my glass for the first time.

I think if you add a sump and a refugium to go with your deep sand bed you will be impressed with the results. All the additions have made my corals (have mushrooms, zoos, riccordia, and a heliofungia) look really nice and my blue mushrooms have started poopin' out babies left and right. With the new live rock I added I also have Xenia growing (I think still too small to tell).

You will still need your protein skimmer by the way.