1" Sandbed users I need some feedback.

If you still considering stuff i would recommend biopellets and reactor for them, they are safe and really affordable for how much they help the tank.

 

I was going to put together something like 2 TLF phosban reactors one running carbon and the other Katalyst. I thought this will help. Plus I have good things about using both Katalyst and Microbacter 7 together. At this point I am going to give the fuge a chance the way it is now.

 

I had a lot of nitrate problems before along with major PH swings at night. I am not sure why, but I had 4" of sand at the time. It got to the point that I was changing 30 gal twice a week to keep the nitrates down. Then flat worms came from no ware. That is when I choose to shut down the tank. That was about 8 months ago and now I am setting up again. I am going with 1" sand bed and nothing but live rock and macro in the sump-no sand. I have done a lot of research and have concluded from my and others experiences that
1. Lots of sand can cause PH swings
2. A sand bed not deep enough to do the whole nitrogen cycle-
-can cause nitrates.
3.Do not siphon sand but make sure to have plenty critters to stir it

These are strictly MY OPINION not fact. I do not want to mislead anyone if I am wrong but simply sharing my opinion. I am trying to figure out what went wrong the last time and these along with using a canister filter are the only problems I could find. I hope this helps and let me say I am not wasting time I have a reason to believe the things I said. Just these reasons are debatable.