DSB & Black Sand

[Scarfers]

Hi guys and gals I was wondering about 2 things if you can help me out :

1) Can a 3" + DSB reduce nitrates effectively ?

2) Would it be a good idea to get some tahitian moon black sand to use for my reef tank ? Have about 2 inches of fine oolite white sand from caribsea but want to put black sand on top of it.

 

[tyrell30]

yes it can but you will need a undergravel filter use 4 inches of black sand and do not use a power head for the undergravel filter use the air stone that comes with it and use just one air stone for one up lift tube so that water will be drawn through the other up lift tube follow these instructions a nd u will be succesful.

 

[lfsmarineguy]

Tahitian Moon is a freshwater substrate and has no buffering capacity. Ocean direct makes a black aragonite substrate that would work.

3" isn't really considered a deep sandbed. 4"-6"+ is really where a deep sandbed starts and you don't need an undergravel filter for it to be effective. I don't know how large your tank is but deep sand beds can be huge time bombs if you don't set them up or maintain them properly.

 

[rookie07]

yes it can but you will need a undergravel filter use 4 inches of black sand and do not use a power head for the undergravel filter use the air stone that comes with it and use just one air stone for one up lift tube so that water will be drawn through the other up lift tube follow these instructions a nd u will be succesful.

Bad advice! Do not listen to this.

 

[Scarfers]

Tahitian Moon is a freshwater substrate and has no buffering capacity. Ocean direct makes a black aragonite substrate that would work.

3" isn't really considered a deep sandbed. 4"-6"+ is really where a deep sandbed starts and you don't need an undergravel filter for it to be effective. I don't know how large your tank is but deep sand beds can be huge time bombs if you don't set them up or maintain them properly.

thanks for the info its a 55g for FOWLR and 20g for coral

I'll just get some macro algae