Deep sand bed

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
J

jaws7777

Bronze Tier VIP
MFK Member
Mar 1, 2014
17,773
20,952
740
White house 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington
I read a few links on the subject and was wondering if any can attest to its effectiveness. Along with answering some questions on how to set it up (in the tank not sump)


I only read a few articles on the subject so bare with me but im confused on a few things.

Is it necessary to have organisms like snails strirring the sand bed ? Or is that more harmful than good ?

How deep a layer of sand is needed ?

If a main concern is not to disturb the sand bed to avoid releasing gases then are certain fish that dig or kick up sediment out like cichlids and bichirs ?

Please feel free to add anything to help me understand how it works and how to set one up.
 
A deep sand bed is more of a saltwater thing than freshwater. The idea is to have a sand bed deep enough that it develops anaerobic areas and the necessary anaerobic bacteria for complete nitrification. I've heard a lot of people here speak out against them, but at the same time no one speaks out about the 7 inches of substrate in a nicely aquascaped tank. As for your questions, I don't know the answer to any of them. See how useful I am? What I came give you is a bit of advice. I wouldn't use a sand bed for nitrification purposes. There are other very effective methods for removing nitrates. Plants, algae scrubber, drip systems, etc. These methods are proven effective if implemented correctly, and you won't have to buy hundreds of pounds of substrate.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JK47
Beetlebug515 said:
A deep sand bed is more of a saltwater thing than freshwater. The idea is to have a sand bed deep enough that it develops anaerobic areas and the necessary anaerobic bacteria for complete nitrification. I've heard a lot of people here speak out against them, but at the same time no one speaks out about the 7 inches of substrate in a nicely aquascaped tank. As for your questions, I don't know the answer to any of them. See how useful I am? What I came give you is a bit of advice. I wouldn't use a sand bed for nitrification purposes. There are other very effective methods for removing nitrates. Plants, algae scrubber, drip systems, etc. These methods are proven effective if implemented correctly, and you won't have to buy hundreds of pounds of substrate.
Click to expand...

Thx for the reply. Agree most of what i read was for salt water and any of the fresh water links ended up as arguments.

Was just curious if anyone done it successfully.
 
Never thougjt of algae scrubbers for fw
 
I used a dsb in a sump for yonks in an old oscar tank I had. Had it planted with elodea and lit with a few fluros. Never had a problem with it. Worked really well.
I have a bed of miracle mud in my new sump with a drip system and an wet dry set up that gets cleaned and maintained by a few yabbies. Best setup I have used yet.
 
I have had a couple tanks with deep sand beds, they worked well, but I doubt any better than normal amount. I also rooted plants in the deep sand, but only with cichlids that wouldn't tear them up, and had lots of MTS snails which I believe that helped keep the sand anoxic, but not develop into anaerobic areas where hydrogen sulfide pockets could develop.
I also tried plenums under the sand to aid in nitrification, but my cichlids would constantly dig holes down to the fabric exposing the material the sand sat on, creating an aerobic situation thereby defeating the purpose.
I would make a frame out of thin PVC, and secure gardening fabric or pliable screen material around the frame to form an anoxic area (plenum), and cover with 2 or 3 inches of PFS.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jaws7777
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom