sand bed location

[bugman]

why not locate the sand bed in the sump instead of the main tank in order to save room? wouldn't the sand bed have the same denitrating ability in the sump and wouldn't the fuge provide enough "bugs" if the main return pump did eat some?

 

[Len]

Sure, I know some people who only have deep sandbeds in their refugiums and a shallow substrate in their main tank. If you have a sizable refugium, you can use it for the sandbed. I still recommend some substrate in the main tank, for aesthetic reasons and also to provide a more natural environment for your tank's inhabitants.

 

[Anonymous]

hmm, that's a very interesting technique. knowing me though, i would opt to having some sort of sandbed in my main tank for, as len suggested, aesthetic purposes. it must look purdy!

 

[Anonymous]

Some may argue that having the sand bed in the main tank will make "feeding" of the bed unnecessary as food will be missed by some of the fish. The main issue one has to consider is rather the sand bed needs some sort of nutrient input, and rahter the regular recirculation between the main tank and the sump provide sufficient input to the sand bed. The nutrient input usually has to do with the "bugs" (not merely denitr. bacteria) that associates with a "healthy" sand bed.

There are many advantages of bare-bottom main tank, but there are disadvantages too. For most people, the vertical space is usually not as important as length and width. This is particularly true for reef setups, since deeper tank needs more light.

Almost all the issues in this hobby come down to a compromise of some sort. There is no fast-and-easy choice unless the issue was looked upon by scientific study.

 

[MLVA123]

Almost all the issues in this hobby come down to a compromise of some sort. There is no fast-and-easy choice unless the issue was looked upon by scientific study.

Ahhh yes, wise words, indeed!
I am very interested in this thread too, because I've read where many folks wished that they didn't have so much sand to kick around in the the display tank where the water flow is strong and keeps the water cloudy. But you need a DSB for all the obvious bio benefits! So right now, I'm planning on just enough (slightly course) substrate in the main tank to look purdy and have all the really juicy, fat, bug-infested DSB in the sump. Sound like a good plan?

 

[Anonymous]

An alternative is to have the scarry DSB in the display tank and cover it with about an inch or two of crushed coral or large-particle aragonite sand.

Don't tell me the sand stirrers going to turn everything in the sand over 10 times every month, and mixed up the top layer, etc.. AFAIK, and IME, this ancedote is unfounded and only circulated among some experts and newbies alike.