DSB in freshwater tanks

[MikeDeL]

I was wondering if deep sand beds help to denitrify salt water tanks, would it do the same for a freshwater tank? Anyone ever try this before?


Thanks,
Mike

[StephenA]

If you are going to have plants in the tank a DSB would not be a good idea. Heavy plant loads require more nitrogen (NO2/NO3) than an unplanted tank.

[captexas]

I would think a DSB would cause more problems than anything. In a saltwater tank there are usually lots of little critters digging around in the sand if it is set up correctly. This helps the DSB work its magic. In a freshwater tank, these critters would not be there, all you would probably have is all kinds of nasty algae and excess nutrients.