wondering about a DSB

Cosine · 11-01-2006, 11:15 AM

I want to use a DSB on my 50g. Right now I have 60lbs of sand in there
In order to get it to 4'' I think I'll need another 60lbs. However, the LFS where I bought the sand thinks that this is too much.

the tank has a 36'' by 18" footprint.

should I go for the 4'' or not for some reason?

note I plan on a shrimp/pistol pair

thanks

Wiskey · 11-01-2006, 11:51 AM

DSB's are Great! For a while, but they do fill up eventually causing algae, if you start having algae problems you can't control in a few years it's time to replace it.

In the time between setup and when they are full they will mask allot of errors, and make the tank more resistant to "user error" in terms of filtration especially.

I personally have a 6" DSB in my SPS tank right now, and a 4" DSB in my 50G softie tank right now. It's not too much, not if a DSB tank is what you are shooting for. The softie tank has a pistal shrimp and golby pair.

Whiskey

Wiskey · 11-01-2006, 11:52 AM

Oh, if you do go this rout, don't syphon or otherwise disturb your sand down deep, and come up with some way to keep your alk stable. These are the bullet points for a sucessfull DSB.

Whiskey

Cosine · 11-01-2006, 12:00 PM

thanks wiskey
I'll go pick up more sand.

the tank is going to be moved in a year and a half anyways so I can replace the sand bed or switch to another system then.

I'll go the the LFS and ask him what he was worried about having that much sand.

thanks

Wiskey · 11-01-2006, 12:09 PM

Good deal, ya, that's another thing, never re-use sand,... Ever. You should enjoy your DSB experiance if the tank will only be up for a year and a half.

Whiskey

Tropical · 11-03-2006, 11:11 AM

What do you do after the DSB is all used up, so to speak? I am planning to use a DSB in my 55 gallon. It will be my first Saltwater tank.

Wiskey · 11-03-2006, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tropical

What do you do after the DSB is all used up, so to speak? I am planning to use a DSB in my 55 gallon. It will be my first Saltwater tank.

When the sand is loaded up, and fully bound with phosphates and other nasties it is good for little more than making lumanaries out of come Christmas.

In a couple of years (How long exactally the sand lasts depends on how good your filtration is, and your fish load) you remove your fish, corals, and rock, scoop all the sand out, rince out the tank, and put in a brand new sand bed (new sand). Now you can put everything back in the tank and you have a brand new DSB that will last about a few years.

Whiskey

Tropical · 11-03-2006, 01:16 PM

Wiskey
Cool thanks for the info! Is this why people talk of DSB crashes? People just let their DSBs go too long. I was worrying about this aspect of a DSB.>>

Wiskey · 11-03-2006, 01:31 PM

Ya, a DSB crash happens when the DSB is full and it starts dumping nutreants (like P04) back into the water colum, this sparks off uncontroalable algae problems, and eventually leads to STN/RTN if you keep SPS coral.

Also, if you have a DSB plan for a power outage. The life in the DSB places a huge 02 demand on the system, and in the event of a power failure it can drop O2 levels quite quickly.

Whiskey

Tropical · 11-04-2006, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenbean36191

A true DSB won't work in a 50 or 55. A DSB is more than just a layer of sand.

Why wont it work in a 55? Please explain. I'm still trying to get as much info as I can on DSBs, everyone seems to have a different opinon as to how to, and, what works with a DSB. I have yet to get a difinitive answer on how to set one up.