anaerobic sand bag

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captainahab

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jun 2, 2011
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Iowa, USA
www.bluesagehues.com
I have an empty cavity in my filter system designed for a future pump to wet/dry system. This area is at the end of a 15 gallon scrubbie-type aerobic filter volume, and houses the existing return pump. How effective would it be to put a "sock" full of sand in that area, for the purpose of growing denitrifying bacteria?

To see my filter design, pics are here:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?425125-220g-ply-epoxy
 
I would say you will see 0 benifit.
 
Right idea but youd need alot bigger sand bed to gain much from it. Fill it up with bio and leave it in there. If you ever need bio for another tank youre good to go. Extra bio never hurts
 
The problem with the sock is that it could flex, allowing oxygen to kill any anaerobes that had begun to live. You need a stiff container where the sand can pack down and not be disturbed except by sand sifting creatures. A small modular sand bed is nothing to sneeze at. If deep enough (5" or so), you will see benefits if it's dimensions are substantial. For tanks with fish that dig, a DSB in the sump is a fine option. But keep it away from the pump! Sand = death to pumps. You could always prefilter after the sand bed, or do the sandbed in a glass flask with a narrow opening, or a large plastic box with a lid that you can just make a few small holes it for water and mulm to enter/exit.

Edit:Almost forgot to add that well-rinsed play sand does the job really well and looks nice as substrate.
 
Thanks, knifegill. My assumption was that size would matter. How would it work to build a chamber, say 7" h x 10" w and x long with 5" of sand and the pump discharge side flowing across it? Would that be too much current, ie oxygen, to do the job?
 
How would it work to build a chamber, say 7" h x 10" w and x long with 5" of sand and the pump discharge side flowing across it? Would that be too much current, ie oxygen, to do the job?

Again, I would say you will see 0 benefit.
I wonder, what is it your trying for?
Do you have a nitrate issue?
Trying to add time between WC?
Even entire tanks with DSB still do WC and still need to monitor their nitrate levels.
You are aware that it takes a long time for DSB to show any measurable effect on water chemistry?
Also, they are pretty delicate, easily crashed if they ever get established.
 
If we know of beneficial natural processes but ignore them because of tradition, we deserve to stagnate as we will! Information, knowledge and the quest for it will keep us growing.
Don't presume that because I am a new member here in your little club that I am a neophyte. Just because I may not personally need it at this moment doesn't mean the discussion has no value. I am trying to get a handle from ACTUAL experience as to what can work, and what will not.
 
captainahab said:
If we know of beneficial natural processes but ignore them because of tradition, we deserve to stagnate as we will! Information, knowledge and the quest for it will keep us growing.
Don't presume that because I am a new member here in your little club that I am a neophyte. Just because I may not personally need it at this moment doesn't mean the discussion has no value. I am trying to get a handle from ACTUAL experience as to what can work, and what will not.
Click to expand...

Well Said.
 
Geeeeze Dude..Way to come off as a bit of a twit.
Nobody kicked your dog or questioned your competence as a fish keeper
This how you react to only a few simple questions?
Can`t read your mind as to what you were posting about.
If all you were looking for is straight information without question or comment, I would suggest staying with Wikipedia.
People who belong to these "little clubs`" often express their comments and opinions, that is why they are here.
 
captainahab said:
If we know of beneficial natural processes but ignore them because of tradition, we deserve to stagnate as we will! Information, knowledge and the quest for it will keep us growing.
Don't presume that because I am a new member here in your little club that I am a neophyte. Just because I may not personally need it at this moment doesn't mean the discussion has no value. I am trying to get a handle from ACTUAL experience as to what can work, and what will not.
Click to expand...

Very true........ I actually run a reactor off an xp2 with purigen to help lower nitrates. Eventually, I plan to fill the reactor with pond matrix and play with flowrates to see if I can get to to be as effective as the purigen is, which is very effective. I think between the reactor and some strategically placed plants, I'll be able to effectively reduce nitrates to almost nothing. And not because I don't want to do water changes either. I do it because the lower I've been able to keep my nitrates the healthier my fish have seemed. If at each water change I'm removing 5ppm as opposed to 20ppm, then my fish will be healthier for it.

The sand bed is an interesting concept though and it does work. It's just a matter of how big, or deep, one would need to be to effectively reduce nitrates in your system. Lots of reefcentral folks use them to some effect for sure. Bean himself talks about the benefits of filling an unused overflow box with sand creating a very deep bed

Only way to see if it'll work is to try.
 
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