Remote deep sand bed for freshwater?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
yes. I removed all the bio media from my sump and filled it with 30-40lbs of sand - about 4" deep. After a few months I removed the FX5 media and all bio has been handled by the sand, I tested for ammonia and nitrite everyday, both stayed at zero. Due to other factors I haven't been able to determine if nitrate reduction is taking place. An online aquarium magazine had an article on freshwater sand beds earlier in the year, I'll put the link up if I can find it again.

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_7/volume_7_1/dsb.html
 
Thanks for the link Danger_Chicken. I've only heard negative things about deep sand beds for freshwater, but every horror story I've heard is because the DSB was disturbed, thus releasing the poisons. I'll be watching this one too.
 
Yes I agree, thanks! From what I've read it looks very feasible, and it seems as if the concept is sound, and whether it's fresh or salt water it shouldnt matter. The one thing I'm still confused about is whether or not organisms like snails and blackworms as mentioned in the article are necessary to add?
 
Yes the organisms are a vital part of the DSB, looking forward to the build.
 
i have a 4" deep black flourite sand bed in my planted 55. It's been established for over ten years. honestly haven't vacuumed or cleaned the gravel in years. my filter went out on me for a few days while i was on vacation. came home all my levels were fine and my fish were alive. i have a power head that keeps the water moving and by sheer coincidence an infestation of malaysian snails that dig around the soil. :)
 
So just curious, what do these organisms do? And will these deep sand bed remove nitrates?
 
They 'aerate', and yes it can process Nitrates.
For clarification it is the anaerobic microbes that do this
but they'll starve without the criters.
 
Interesting. So do you suppose this could be used on a pond if I built a "river" with deep sand leading back to the pond?
 
Tsc123;4477217; said:
So just curious, what do these organisms do? And will these deep sand bed remove nitrates?
Click to expand...

As far as I know they aerate the bed keeping the (bad) anarobic bacteria from growing.
 
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