use the overflow for more sand footprint?

so... how beneficial would it be to put 6" of sand in the overflow box?

i figure the more cubic inches of sand the more filtration right?

picture of my overflow chamber currently with the diy-durso

 

Interesting idea but what happens when you need to remove the durso for cleaning?

 

+1, I don't think you'll get enough benefit for that extra hassle. If you went DSB you would never be able to remove your standpipe without removing the sand entirely from the system because you don't want to disturb a DSB's lower layers, if you went shallow sandbed...well I'm not sure what the point of a shallow sandbed back there would be.

 

+1 to both answers. Sand doesn't do enough for it to be worth it.

 

I've thought about this and researched it in the past. I have come the conclusion that it is not a good idea. There are too many issues it causes for it to be usefull. Another issue, other than pulling out your piping in case of an emergency, is the flow is so low in there that detritus builds up on the sandbed and it ultimately becomes a nitrate trap. There are other concerns that I cant remember now, but my ultimate decision was it was overwhelmingly a bad idea in the end.

 

alright, thanks i wont do that. to combat the issue of cleaning i had intended on a union in the chamber above the DSB to remove the top of the durso.

however, based on the picture is the height of the water fine, or should it cascade further down for better water turnover in the chamber? i have no ability yet to really determine how waters moving so im not sure that the ~2" drop in the overflow is sufficient when the overall depth of the chamber is 21"

 

and just after saying i had no idea on how to determine water movement i see this post http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-aquarium-articles-how-tos/basics-flow-78711.html lol