
Originally Posted by
jcnkt_ellis
My problem with saying that both systems work is that the DSB system is inherently flawed. Depending on bioload and thickness you could go close to a decade, maybe more, without cleaning out the poo. However, eventually the bed will be full and there is no guaranteed safe way to remove or replace it.
Also, your rocks filling up with phosphates is directly proportional to the amount of poo you have in your tank. If you are siphoning out the poo and have good flow on your rocks, they will not fill up. The surface bacteria on the live rock break off the top layer of rock in order to free up the phosphates the rock traps. When the bacteria dies or poops, the phosphate is offloaded in what's called bacterial flock. If the rock has good flow around it, the flock will be lifted away from the surface and it will settle on the floor of the tank where it can be siphoned or left to stew. Nature, in its own way, ensures the rock doesn't become over saturated with phosphates if it is cared for properly
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