| General Reef Discussion In this forum we discuss issues related to keeping marine and reef aquariums in a friendly flame-free environment. |
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12-15-2005, 10:12 PM
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#1
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squid
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Colroado
Posts: 5
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Sandy Bottoms
I have an interesting issue. I recently was given a 350 gallon reef tank with a shallow sand bed (2-3") and no sand in the sump. When I move the tank I was thinking about increasing the depth of the sand tp 5-6".
1. Is this a good idea?
2. What are the benefits of a DSB?
3. How do I place in the new sand during the move?
4. Does the existing live sand go on the bottom, top, or mixed in?
5. What water parameters can I expect to fluctuate with the addition of a DSB?
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12-15-2005, 11:18 PM
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#2
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Duper Mod !
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Illinois
Posts: 13,974
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welcome to TRT ! I personally don't know the answer but there are many people here that do!
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Kelli
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12-16-2005, 03:00 AM
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#3
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It can be rebuilt.
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Pittsboro, NC
Posts: 19,158
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Welcome to TRT!!!
wow, i wish i was that lucky. 
do you have any ideas on what you want to put in the tank? i personally would not put any kind of sand in a tank that big.
here is a great thread to help you out.
regardless of whether or not you plan on going with a DSB or BB, i would just throw away the sand that was in there. sand is relatively cheap and not worth the risk of dealing with phosphate problems that you have had nothing to do with.
G~
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Think Tanker
Friends Don't Let Friends Use Refugiums!
Reef Knowledge Impaired
"J" crowd member.
My Build Thread
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12-16-2005, 10:25 AM
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#4
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50g Reef
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Kalamazoo, MI
Posts: 643
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Welcome to TRT...you have found a great resource for SW tank info.
Tell us about your plans for the tank
Other equip?
Desired inhabitants?
AEB |
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12-16-2005, 10:34 AM
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#5
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uber-stupid
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Biloxi, MS
Posts: 3,265
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WOW!!!
My thread was quoted. I feel good now. Thanks Geoff.
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12-16-2005, 03:08 PM
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#6
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It can be rebuilt.
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Pittsboro, NC
Posts: 19,158
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by three90s&125sump
WOW!!!
My thread was quoted. I feel good now. Thanks Geoff.
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that is a great thread!!! thoughtfull questions equals great thread!! they do not have to smart questions, just thoughtfull questions. j/k had to take you down a notch.
G~
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Think Tanker
Friends Don't Let Friends Use Refugiums!
Reef Knowledge Impaired
"J" crowd member.
My Build Thread
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12-22-2005, 12:42 AM
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#7
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squid
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Colroado
Posts: 5
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Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!
The main thing I'm concerned with right now is upseting the reefs balance during the move. Is it smart to throw away the sand and start a new bed during a move?
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12-22-2005, 05:47 AM
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#8
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Shark
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: NEW YORK
Posts: 2,071
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With a tank that big making a move isn't as easy as just moving it! You're gonna empty the whole tank anyway, for the move, aren't you? When you put it back together again, its gonna go through a cycling period, short probably, being the LR maintains its bacteria. But you'll still have a period in which the bacteria will have to build back up again. So, no matter what, the "balance" will take a little time to adjust when the tank becomes reestablished in its new environs.
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12-22-2005, 06:02 AM
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#9
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It can be rebuilt.
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Pittsboro, NC
Posts: 19,158
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by ImWeigner
Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!
The main thing I'm concerned with right now is upseting the reefs balance during the move. Is it smart to throw away the sand and start a new bed during a move?
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starting with a new SB is the best thing to do. when disturbing a SB you disrupt the layers. these layers contain certain critters. when you mess it up you kill off large quantities of the these critters. they can not live outside thier layers. this will increase the size of your tank recycle.
another problem with reusing this SB is that it contains phosphates. these fuel algae problems. SB absorb phosphates over time. depending on the husbandry practices of the previous owner, it could be nearly full. it is just better to start over with new sand an not have to worry about this potential phosphate problem.
G~
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Think Tanker
Friends Don't Let Friends Use Refugiums!
Reef Knowledge Impaired
"J" crowd member.
My Build Thread
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12-22-2005, 06:04 AM
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#10
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I've got the REEF rash!
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 24,657
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Welcome to TRT! I wouldn't worry about the small bacteria in the sand when you add it I would mix it and when you add your LR thats when you'll get the most of the bactria from!
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12-22-2005, 07:22 AM
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#11
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Rockin-Roll Mod
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Coal Valley Illinois
Posts: 5,381
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Welcome to T.R.T.
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12-22-2005, 08:48 AM
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#12
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BIG SMELLY MOD
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Livingston Parish, Denham Springs, Louisiana
Posts: 16,860
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WELCOME to TRT!!!
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Vince aka VINNIE
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12-22-2005, 09:11 AM
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#13
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RMMAC President
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Byron MN, USA
Posts: 1,503
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Welcome to TRT, you are one lucky devil.
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12-23-2005, 12:42 AM
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#14
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senior member
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Walnut Grove, SC, USA
Posts: 13,424
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If you're moving a system that big, and it has a DSB, then just siphon off the top cm or two for the critters and some of the bacteria, then discard the rest AFTER REMOVING ALL THE TANK'S CRITTERS YOU WANT TO KEEP.
If it is a shallow sand bed, you can just siphon up the critters from the sand you can see, don't worry so much about getting the entire 1 cm, then discard the rest.
When setting up the new SB, if it is to be a DSB, use sugar sized granules of dead sand up to 12 to 15 cm depth. Place PVC pylons (cut to be 2 to 3 cm taller than your sand bed depth that are drilled out for critter movement) in contiguous locations to support your live rock above the sand bed. Place your live sand from the old system throughout the tank at a 1cm depth, place your rock, then fill the system with ASW.
There are a multitude of means to prevent the milkshake that will occur, but regardless of what you do, the cloudiness will settle out within 2 to 4 days (and the live sand bacteria will help reduce the wait).
Lots more available if you need it.
HTH
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Tom <"))))>(
(TDWyatt)
Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something. -Plato
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