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zonkers

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Personally I've been considering converting to a reverse-flow undergravel setup on my own tank. I've recently tried this on my 15 gallon freshwater as an experiement, & am utterly impressed with the results. Basically, think of the substrate as 'detritus repellent'. I wouldn't say nothing accumulates in it, but its only a fraction of what I would have expected without it.

My current substrate is about 2-3" aragonite, & I hadn't realized quite how much gunk had accumulated into it until I placed a couple of tube anemones. My idea is to take up all the substrate, lay down some undergravel plates, then lay a layer of 1/4-1/2" crushed coral over that & then replace the aragonite. I'm thinking the larger substrate layer in between the aragonite will help prevent the aragonite from working its way into the undergravel slots. The only quesiton I have then is just how strong a powerhead would I need to make sure there's sufficient pressure to force water through it properly. I have a couple small sandsifter stars in there, so I think that as they went around & overturned the substrate, they'd free up whatever pockets of detritus might build up & then it could go up into the water where it could be taken out by more traditional mechanical filtration (ie: my Eheim cannister). Thoughts?
 
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Anonymous

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KensReef":17tm6d5k said:
galleon":17tm6d5k said:
KensReef":17tm6d5k said:
Honestly you are better off leaving it as it is. BB is just another fad. If you are worried about detritus accumalating on the sand bed, why not increase circulation, feed less and add more of a cleanup crew? Each of these options will provide more benefits to your tank.

The first corals to be successfully settled reared and reared were done so in barebottom systems... in the 1800's. "Bare Bottom" may be a fad to the hobby, but they work. Period.

Not really the point is it? My point is that you are better off not changing the system in such a dramatic way as removing all your sand, when a much simpler solution for example increasign flow, cleanup crew and less feeding.

You would be incorrect. Detritus will still build up. If the sand is removed, the low bioload will be easily handled by the rock and there should be no effect from losing the sand.
 

middletonmark

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Actually, I disagree Galleon.

From my experience, there would be a major effect from losing the sand ... a very positive effect.
 
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Anonymous

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middletonmark":1tn2lmpe said:
Actually, I disagree Galleon.

From my experience, there would be a major effect from losing the sand ... a very positive effect.

:lol: Smart@ss.
 

KensReef

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galleon":288jgjzc said:
KensReef":288jgjzc said:
galleon":288jgjzc said:
KensReef":288jgjzc said:
Honestly you are better off leaving it as it is. BB is just another fad. If you are worried about detritus accumalating on the sand bed, why not increase circulation, feed less and add more of a cleanup crew? Each of these options will provide more benefits to your tank.

The first corals to be successfully settled reared and reared were done so in barebottom systems... in the 1800's. "Bare Bottom" may be a fad to the hobby, but they work. Period.

Not really the point is it? My point is that you are better off not changing the system in such a dramatic way as removing all your sand, when a much simpler solution for example increasign flow, cleanup crew and less feeding.

You would be incorrect. Detritus will still build up. If the sand is removed, the low bioload will be easily handled by the rock and there should be no effect from losing the sand.

Thats your opinion and you are entitled to it, however I have kept a number of tanks over the years (one going on 11 years and one 9 years) and I always use a shallow sand bed. It looks much better in my opinion and I have never had a build up of detritus in my sand. If the tanks is setup properly there won't be. I guess the next fad will be removing all your live rock just in case some detritus builds up in there. :lol:
 

ChrisRD

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I think there's something that might be getting overlooked in this thread...

Jackson919":33wwuler said:
I have about 2" of crushed coral as the sand bed.

The poster is not talking about reef sand.

Anyone here having any luck with a CC bed in a reef tank that doesn't accumulate detritus without regular vacumming?

KensReef":33wwuler said:
I guess the next fad will be removing all your live rock just in case some detritus builds up in there. :lol:

One important difference between sandbeds and live rock IMO is that the rock is self-cleaning when it comes to detritus. The sand is not.
 
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Anonymous

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ChrisRD":2kgjyczz said:
I think there's something that might be getting overlooked in this thread...

Jackson919":2kgjyczz said:
I have about 2" of crushed coral as the sand bed.

The poster is not talking about reef sand.

Anyone here having any luck with a CC bed in a reef tank that doesn't accumulate detritus without regular vacumming?

KensReef":2kgjyczz said:
I guess the next fad will be removing all your live rock just in case some detritus builds up in there. :lol:

One important difference between sandbeds and live rock IMO is that the rock is self-cleaning when it comes to detritus. The sand is not.


I was just going to say something about ya'lls reading comprehension, he has a CC bed and here we go on another epic dsb vs bare debate

Nice...
 

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