Deep Sand Bed Theory still worth it???

[LuckySingh]

Back in the days the reefers had not much knowledge how to keep the tank free of nutrients and they came up with DSB theory ( Sand Bed more than 4")as a main source of biological filtration . We all have fancy gadgets and different husbandry methods these days and I think DSB is no more required .
I personally prefer a fine thin layer of sand bed . Not very aesthetically pleasing but my goal is to keep a nutrient free system with low maintenance and less time consuming . Thin sand bed is easy to clean , vacuum on monthly bases and stirring would not cause any problems . DSB are definitely prone to release Hydrogen Sulphide gases that result in disaster and total crash when disturbed . My current tank is small 50gln system and with roughly 18lbs of rock and 15 lbs of sand giving it a very thin layer . Being it a Sps high flow tank I was very picky on the grain size and used a semi large reef flakes that won't get tossed around with the flow . Tank is roughly about 5 months old and going strong . With a monthly 15 gln water change and slickly once a week blowing the rock and sand with turkey Baster does the job and keep nutrients under control .

Let's share our opinions on DSB whether YES or NO and would be great help to new reefers trying to start and gain knowledge .

[Dean]

Great thread lucky!
In my tanks I prefer a 1-2" sand bed. I enjoy doing tank maintenance. So running the siphon vacuum over it every couple of weeks in conjunction with a great clean up crew and a pair of engineer gobies it stays clean and does not provide a source of excessive nutrients.

In my opinion a DSB looks more natural but if disturbed it can be the end all. It's just not worth the risk for me. Of course I am also guilty of rescapng my rock work on a whim and enjoy sand dwelling fish and critters. Those wouldn't allow for an undisturbed DSB.

[Zephyr Aquatics]

I have managed to have great success with thinner sand beds and plenty of sand sifting critters like hermits, cucs, pistol shrimp and Nassarius snails. I have never vacuumed out my sand bed or ever will, I just keep on top of changing out the filter socks and water changes and moderate skimming. I also use small pieces of live rock to levitate the larger rocks off of the sand so there isn't alot of rock under the sand line and I keep real open rock scapes.

[Troy Valentine]

^^^
Totally agree JJ,

Keeping the rocks off the sand bed is a key element. I went with eggcrate and pvc, but live rock works just as well. Painfully I too have learned that deeper sand beds are indeed a buffer for both good and bad reasons. If your tank is rockin and your micro fauna is flourishing, the sand will buffer a healthy system. However when it declines, and god forbid you have to treat the system ie. Interceptor, flatworm exit or any other chemical that kills in your system, especially in a well aged system. It will also buffer less desirable conditions like high PO4, H2S, and excess POM and DOMs. The sand bed will only make it that much more difficult to recover. This is my experience. I've had the same system running for over a decade, and recently I was advised by friends to remove the 3"+ Oolitic 10+ yr old sand bed and add a thin layer of special grade instead. It was a big job, but well worth it. I now have amazing growth again, and as well as an explosion of micro fauna. I will now make removing a portion of my sand bed part of my regular yearly routine.

[kkiel02]

If I did a dsb it would be a remote bed without anything else in the tank. With that new gyre power head I bet that would help keep the detritus out of the dsb. Although after awhile I am not sure how you could keep detritus out of it forever and I think this is the problem most people eventually ran into with them.

[alton]

I only run a DSB for these guys

[Bill S]

Those a great Alton!

That's probably the only reason I'd consider a deep bed. But, that's me.

[BBQHILLBILLY]

DSB look so natural. For me looking at a tank without sand is like looking at a tank with frag racks.

lol I have both.

[Dean]

I only run a DSB for these guys

Alton what type of sand bed maintenance is required to maintain a healthy DSB through out the years? I read horror stories about detritus build up along with a large bed disturbance causing a large nutrient spike and ending with a tank crash. I really like the look of a DSB also but fear the consequences if not done properly.

[BBQHILLBILLY]

I allways thought venting your dsb to the outside of tank is a good idea but never attempted yet.:bigsmile:

[alton]

My longest sand bed was in my 200 at 10 years when I took it down. I removed most of the water and liverock into my 300 before touching the sand and boy did it stink. I did not reuse very much of the old sand in the new tank. During the ten years I don't remember doing anything special but adding additional sand and substrate.

[OrionN]

I have mt 65 gal tank in my office for 9 years with a DSB, vine sand at 4 inches or so. No problem with it.
Last year we did some redoeling of the office. Knowing that the sand bed have a lot of organics in it, I choose to remove all the rock and do a vacuum of the entire sand bed, move it to a temporarily space. One week later I also did an entire sand bed vacuum and move it back tot he original space. Both time, I did a 100% water change.
Everything were stressed but nothing died, except my Atlantic blue tang which was killed by my carpet. My only mortality.
I think the myth that stir a DSB is deathly to the tank is just a myth, nothing more.

I love my DSB, it keep my tank very stable. If I have the room, I would use a remote DSB instead of one in the DT. I have my DSB in my 320 gal DT right now and it looks fine. I think I will set up a DSB in my fish room and slowly remove the one in the DT, at least thin it down considerably. I do think that cleaning the sand bed is needed after a long time. Possibly vacuum 1/2 of it every year, or perhaps a small area every time I do water change in the remote DSB would be great.