DSB controversy...spanning the boards.

[Anonymous]

OK, we have none of the original references in the lab library. They may be in the college library, however I won't be up there for a few weeks probably. In the meantime, looking at several different references that cite ash : organic technique, the standard seems to be "The samples were dried at 50*C." When I ashed Syringodium a few months ago for a biomass pilot experiment, there was a point where the samples were definitely "dry"... we would check the sample mass with an analytical balance until it had stopped decreasing, then we recorded our data.

Still waiting to hear from our geologist.

 

[Anonymous]

No mention of sample size ashed in any of the places I looked either, only that they ashed however many replicates and subsamples they had.

All of the organic C values in Sorokin were divided to give them as
C(org) g(super)-1 of sediment

 

[handyman]

I setup my deeper sand bed for my 55g in january its 3” before it was about 1” maybe my nitrates where about 40 now there 5. I just moved this tank in order to place my new one there. While moving it with the water level about ¼” above the sand I smelled the sand bed it had that sweet ocean fresh smell maybe because its only 6 months old or maybe it the particle size of the sand I used I think the latter. It has so much life in it you can see the grains flip over nitration gas bubbles up out of it all the time its been doing this since about 6 weeks after I installed it. I know everybody thinks that bigger is better but when it comes to sand beds I’m not to sure about that. I’m starting to setup my new 150g 72x20x24 and I’m thinking about a 2 ½” sand bed what do you think? If you want to see pics of it look here http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthrea ... did=217256

 

[handyman]

I've have had shallow sand beds in previous tanks and most recently I set up a dsb of approximately 6" in my tank that has been going for six months. I added all the recommended lifeforms (worms, clams, etc.) when I set the dsb up. Eventually a crust formed on the top layer of sand that becomes covered in algea (cyno?). I worry that the crust will suffocate the lifeforms in the bed. Is this the standard cycle of a dsb?

I bet you used southdown!

 

[Saltykirk]

It is a good idea to remove detritus through manual siphoning. I use a small hose to change water & I get some out of all nooks of my LR and off the top of my DSB. People who have the kitchen sink problem w/ DSBs probably are not maintaining them right. Detritivores eat detritus but they still poop. Siphon poop and detritus and you will maintain good water quality. I agree w/ the small particle size deal.

 

[Anonymous]

I have a 2" sand bed in my 10 that has been up for about 3 years. It is an unskimmed tank with 3-4 water changes in that time. If it will work for this, I would be more than happy to send some. Let me know.

 

[Modo]

Did anyone ever send in some samples? Did you get the data on the deeper core sample from you tank to compare to the original sample?

I would be interested in seeing the compared results.

 

[liquid]

Heh, not yet (like I mentioned on the previous thread). I'll start this in about 2-3 months. I'm too swamped right now w/ canning stuff from my garden to do much of anything else besides mod the board right now. heh

Shane

 

[bleedingthought]

What's a DSB? :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

"We're going to bring this thread back to life!"
"But how? It's been dead for such a very long time."
"We have the technology. It's called... necro-posting!"
"Doctor, you're mad!"

 

[Anonymous]

Just how fine of a sand is reccomended for a DSB? Should I stir my sand more often? Really churn it up?

"Sugar-sized" sand, for example Carribsea "oolitic" sand, IIRC.

No major stirring - the sand-dwelling creatures will do the necessary aeration, etc.

 

[Anonymous]

Just how fine of a sand is reccomended for a DSB? Should I stir my sand more often? Really churn it up?

"Sugar-sized" sand, for example Carribsea "oolitic" sand, IIRC.

No major stirring - the sand-dwelling creatures will do the necessary aeration, etc.

D'Oh! Old thread!!

 

[Anonymous]

Just how fine of a sand is reccomended for a DSB? Should I stir my sand more often? Really churn it up?

"Sugar-sized" sand, for example Carribsea "oolitic" sand, IIRC.

No major stirring - the sand-dwelling creatures will do the necessary aeration, etc.

D'Oh! Old thread!!

So did anyone ever decide if a DSB was good or bad? Good sometimes, bad sometimes? Or what?

 

[Anonymous]

So did anyone ever decide if a DSB was good or bad? Good sometimes, bad sometimes? Or what?

I think the consensus is niether - i.e. it's "just another tool for nutirent processing & stability".

 

[Anonymous]

I'm over it...no more DSB's for me.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm over it...no more DSB's for me.

Why?



Teddy

 

[Anonymous]

I'm over it...no more DSB's for me.

Why?



Teddy

A variety of reasons…

I may still use them in a sump

The vertical space I lose. I HATE the look

Sand of this depth is not necessary for the bacterial mechanisms in question to take place

Expense

For say an SPS tank,I’d rather have more flow (something that becomes tough with a DSB) and keep the particulates/detritus suspended, then off to the sump.

Bottom line, it increases the nutrients in the water for me rather than decreasing them, and the tank functions perfectly without it…so why bother?

 

[Anonymous]

I'm over it...no more DSB's for me.

16 years reefing and I've never had a dsb. I have only used either distilled or RO/DI water all 16 of those years.

 

[Anonymous]

I was one of the early adopters of DSBs back in the mid 90s, but I can't see myself using one again. Too many "sand bed events" that I've read about over the years, added hassle, and don't even get me started about how much simpler it is to move a tank that doesn't have a sandbed versus one that does....

 

[Anonymous]

I'm over it...no more DSB's for me.

16 years reefing and I've never had a dsb. I have only used either distilled or RO/DI water all 16 of those years.

You've kept a box of purified freshwater for 16 years and call yourself a reefkeeper???

:lol: :lol:

DSB's have given me good results. Next tank I plan to have a SSB though - I don't like losing so much tank height to sand (and the sub-surface sand always looks gooky), but I don't like the bare bottom look.

jayo