What's a newcomer to do...

[katiethree]

Since I am just venturing into the saltwater tank world, for obvious reasons (I'm not that wealthy) I've been doing a lot of research before getting in too deep (haha).

Anyway, one of the things I have determined, after reading lots of books and surfing numerous forums, is that the flavour du jour changes in this hobby on a regular basis. Some of the books recommend an undergravel filter, later books say have a DSB, people on the forums who've done both these say just put in an inch of sand and no more, otherwise you are setting yourself up for major disappointments.

It seems that both of the previously mentioned set ups collect so much garbage that it eventually explodes and kills everything in sight. I appreciate that it may take two to four years for such a disaster to occur, but I sure don't want to invest all the money and time to have all the livestock croak.

So, in light of what appears to be a more current approach, why are people still advocating DSB's. Common sense tells me it is a recipe for catastrophe, but I have difficulty understanding why so many people believe what they read in books rather than talking to people who have actual experience.

Its a little scary for someone getting into this to read so many differing opinions - I meeeeen, who do you believe.... "Who do you call?"

Give me some feedback here - you are all supposed to be the "experts"
(know what an expert is?...)

 

[mountainbiker619]

I think you will find more members here use DSB's vice not using them. As hobiest we are trying to copy the natural habitat of the ocean reefs, being that, isnt the ocean just one big DSB? Yes, this hobby seems to change its way often, and I am sure in time wetdry/bio-balls will again be the hot ticket. The DSB topic has been debated alot, and will contiue to be with probably no final resolution, because there really is not one. You the reefer need to come to your own conclusion from all the vast info out there and make you decision and never look back or question yourself.

 

[Anonymous]

I have a DSB in my 75 and 37. I am planning a 300G tank. I am not going put a DSB in the main display of the 300, instead, I am going to put it in the refugium only. That way, if it ever becomes problematic, I can isolate it from the system and yank it.

Louey

 

[katiethree]

Has anyone here had a DSB go bad? I would really like to know what happens to these setups after a few years.

I understand the process, but it seems to me that having the bacterial stuff going on inside lots of LR where the water can get to it makes more sense than buried down under lots of sand where there isn't much circulation of water.

I have three clients who have kept tanks for years, one of whom has had one of his tanks for 11 years and he swears blind that having that much sand is just asking for trouble down the road. Its very confusing reading what you'all have to say.

 

[mountainbiker619]

http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.p ... hlight=dsb
http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.p ... hlight=dsb
http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.p ... hlight=dsb

 

[ChrisRD]

IMO it's a little premature to say that DSBs are doomed to failure or are an outdated mode of filtration. There are many, many examples of great tanks with DSBs that are thriving (for years).

That said, it's certainly possible to have a great reeftank without a DSB (or any substrate at all for that matter) - that has also been done for many years.

If you're undecided you can always set up your system with a shallow sand bed (or no sand bed) and then add sand later if you want more, or want to go with a DSB. You could also try the DSB in a remote tank plumbed into the system (like a refugium) so you have the option of removing it later without disturbing your display tank.

Either way I'd highly recommend a tank with good live rock, a quality skimmer and plenty of circulation. I would strongly advise against the use of an undergravel filter.

HTH

 

[katiethree]

Thanks Chris, that seems like sensible advice. I was planning to build a sump and refugium anyway, so will try that, putting more sand in the refugium and less in the tank. BTW, everything I read about undergravel filters is negative, so I wasn't planning to do that anyway. Reefs have lots of water movement - stagnancy (is that a word?) doesn't seem appropriate!

 

[Anonymous]

Ok Ok this my opinion. I too a short on cash so I decided to go with what I know works. No DSB. No UGF. I have no more than 2- 3 inches of sand,use Hangon Powerfilters,Skimmers and Liverock. No canisters(to much work for me)and no sump. The light issue is highly debatable too and depends on what your inhabitants are and the depth of your tank. Have Fun! I set up a 50 breeder with a 6 inch dandbed and it leaked(to much weight?). I have had tanks for 44 of my 52 years and never had a tank leak till then. I sratched the DSB and refuguim untill I have more money to spend (waste). I just now picked up my replacement tank and am going to set up a FOWLR instead. I am so glad that this tank was in a location that could handle the leak. What a mess. What books have you read. I have a couple that do recommend a UGF but I would never use one again on a Marine Tank. They do work very well for a few years and if ypou are not using burrowers and diggers what the heck. I think most people break there tanks down after a few years anyway. The last UGF I had was working well for at least 6 years before I broke it down. The biggest tip I can give you is DO NOT PLACE ANY TANK WHERE IT WILL RECIEVE ANY DIRECT SUNLIGHT!....Yes I an screaming. LOL Have Fun!

 

[Anonymous]

Hey Katiethree, Welcome to Reefs.org!



These guys, sometimes you got to wonder about them. Louey, I cannot believe you posted outside the Sump with that avatar. 8O


I have a 29gal with crushed coral or dolomite. I also have a 75gal with the sugar sized sand. I think I would be happier with a size just a bit larger than sugar. My damsels that dig can sure cloud the tank up even if it does settle in a few minutes, a milky look remains for several hours. This 75 gal tank is over a year old. My 29 gal looks quite dirty and is several years old. I am going to have to redo it.

There has been some discussion on cleaning DSB's and I think a few here are trying that. In my case, I have damsels that dig in some areas. I also have two olive sails which swim thru the sand. I think they get a inch or so down. But I honestly don't know if they actually go deeper. Could be that my entire sandbed of 5+ inches is getting turned over by all the action. Not quickly to be sure as there is quite a bit of algae visible agianst the glass in the sandbed. I have a PM HOT-1 skimmer and it produces some skimmate, but I think the DSB must be working well as it doesn't produce the quantities that I anticipated. I'm past the diatom blooms and the sand is clean for the most part on the surface.

Good Luck on your choices.

 

[danmhippo]

The more I think about it, the more likely my next tank I will isolate the DSB to another tank. Oh, better yet, I will have 1 main tank, 1 DSB only shallow tank, one refugium, and one crushed coral pod farm!

Everyone's personal experience will always be a bit different from yours, Katiethree. There are no 2 tanks exactly alike. Unless you get your hands wet, you will never know what works best for you.

DSB, IMHO, is the way to go, but if you want to be on the safe side, you can set it in the sump(s), and for the looks, sprinkle a thin layer of sand in the main tank.

 

[Anonymous]

DSB's are currently taking all the blame everytime somebody has a problem with their tank, but nobody has proved that the dsb is the source of the problem. Personally, I have had much worse algae problems with bare-bottom tanks than dsb tanks.

I think you should set up a tank with every nutrient removal system available:

good skimmer
reverse lighted sump/refugia with macroalgae (as large as possible)
strong current in tank
DSB
plenty of very porous live rock
good janitors

 

[Anonymous]

I have to agree with everything Dan just said, in fact, I am doing everything Dan just said cept the macroalgae as I haven't got room for a third tank, although I am working on that.

Bryan