750g tank for $230!

[captexas]

I would expect it to be a separate system as you would be removing sand and adding new sand/critters from time to time. I would think that this would cause mini-cycles.

[kaiser]

I'm sure that I could fit this under my bed and leave it alone for a year or so to mature.

LOL.... Wouldn't that give waterbed a whole new meaning :-D :-D :-D

[Henry]

Well I think my main system could handle a little mini cycle. I have a total volume of water of about 275-300gal then adding this I don't see to much of a problem.

[captexas]

Definately have to ask Matt. It sounds like he has done a bit of reading on it and would know the best way to set it up.

[kaiser]

I have done some reading on the subject recently amd the way I understand it going more than 8" deep is a waste of time and money. That's why I was wondering if it is a good idea to go with that 750 Gallon monster. One thing about it we could order a bunch of that hirock and cure it in that tub as well.

[Henry]

I was thinking something along the same lines of adding base rock, but if then i would have to have some lighting over it to grow some good coralline on the rocks. I guess it off to RC I go.

[adaminaustin]

I think indoors humidity would be the major concern. I know the guy (Mr.3000) with the 3000 gallon tank in his basement ended up draining it because of this.

If the tank is inside you would have to deal with humidity (some type of vent system), lights, and moving/filtering water.
If it is in a cooled greenhouse you just worry about moving/filtering the water.

The more I think about it, the more I want a greenhouse. I guess I should not do this untill I buy a house. My landlord might not be to happy.

[matt]

And, it's my feeling that the sand should sit undisturbed for a year or so before using it to seed other tanks.

I've been wanting to do something exactly like this. This point keeps coming to mind. Why leave it undisturbed? Since sand will be scooped out, do you really want an anoxic/anaerobic zone in the bed? I've read time and time again that disturbing an established sand bed is not a good idea due to hydrogen sulphide release.

Wouldn't it be best to leave it alone and let it mature, but stir the sand to keep it fully oxygenated? The idea is to grow micro and macro fauna, not filter water.

I'm glad you brought this up. The answer is, if you do a DSB right, there are no anoxic /unstirred areas because the density of infauna stirs the entire sand bed. The sulphur smell is an indication that your critter population is not high enough, and pockets of detritus have built up and decayed. Manually stirring the sand causes some mortality.