Upgrading tank, advice needed !

Thanks for the info but you're right, it is a mute point ;D

any feedback on the DSB thickness question?

 

sorry missed it - focused to much on the base rock aspect

5 - 6 inches of sand or mud or a combination of both in DSB sounds about right to me

Steve

 

Sorry Steve, but I would avoid DSB. It's a proven weak point in building any system. There has been many major articles on the long term effects of DSBs and the net result is that they fail over time causing tank crashes. I would go for a 1 to 1.5 inch sand bed then have a refugium or remote DSB that can be cleaned and reset over time

J

 

yay!

how effective are refugiums in controlling nitrates and phosphates? if my nitrates without refugium is like 10ppm.. can it reduce to zero? ( with medium fish load )

also, i'll be using 4x24w 12000k T5 daylights for the refugium, that should be good for the chaeto right? ( but i read somewhere that 6500k is best ) :

 

i'm afraid of crashes too, which is why i only plan to use it on refugium.. is it possible for 3 inches of fine coral sand cause crashes too? ( using that on DT)

 

Jason totally agree with you
- I was talking about using for his fuge not his DT
my bad, I forgot to use the quote function and highlight aspect I was referring to

Yhearts I believe is aware my comments where related to his fuge?

 

haha yeap, i was aware that you were talking about my fuge. so DSB in fuge is fine?

 

Yes DSB in fuge is good and with macro algae like chaeto, maybe Mangroves which might not be available to you?)

many people do use lower Kelvin lamps of the K you mentioned - for growing plants , like the Chaeto

SSB - shallow sand bed for DT - much easier to keep on top of, maintain etc if you have the DSB in the fuge, a shallow layer in the DT for aesthetics is ideal IMO

Steve

 

but.. if its'too shallow, i wont have much life in the sand would i? i want those copepods thingy growing.. and if it's too shallow and i vacuum it, won't all the life in the sand be gone as well.?

 

mangove is infact very much available here, is it a good nutrient export? ;D