Dsb ?

Just wondering If there is a maximum depth that a DSB is effective?

 

Yup, 1" max ;-)

I am sorry, I have no love for a DSB and I strongly beleive in OTS and the ticking time bomb they create.

4" min and there is no maximium - knock yourself out and enjoy. I personally have an 8 inch DSB in my refugium - does very well for me.

 

No max that I've ever heard of, but a min. for it to be effective in reducing nitrates is ~4"

That is where most of the anaerobic bacteria will reside, and they are the "nitrate reducers"

Hope this helps

 

Research has been found in the ocean that denitrification occurs in the top 1" of sand. If you have a DSB you should turn over a portion of sand weekly to prevent the time bomb from going off. To do this use a piece of tube that you can cover completely with your thumb, poke it into the sand to the bottom, cover the top with your thumb, lift the tube out of the sand to just above the sand level and release your thumb. Repeat until you have turned over 1/4 of your sand.

 

From personal experience and that of our customers, 4" is usually not enough. In general we suggest 5" to maintain the proper anoxic conditions that anaerobic require to flourish in a DSB.

I too recommend a DSB in a refugium, opposed to in the display. Have a DSB in your display is a total eyesore, and impossible to clean without disturbing the DSB which could potentially nuke your tank.

Keeping a 1" sand bed in your display is a much better idea for both visual and maintenance purposes. It is easy to clean, won't allow dark blotchy buildup on the front panel of glass, and also allows you to use more of your aquarium for display instead of multiple inches of messiness!

 

Thanks everyone for the replies.In a refugium is what I am going to do.Actually my tank has a built in filtration system in the back like a nano cube and theres a 3 x 3 section that I want to fill with sand.The next section was filled with bio balls,but I want to make it a refugium,I just have to plug some drainage holes.

 

3" x 3" will not be enough space for a DSB if that is what you meant by 3x3.

 

its 3x3 square and 18 inches deep

 

I don't like it - you will want more surface exposure for the DSB to function properly and I doubt highly you need 18" but the depth doesn't hurt.

 

+1
Agreed, unless you meant 3 feet x 3 feet.... which I don't think you did