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View Full Version : Sand Beds- How Deep is yours?


ReefHawke
02/21/2009, 01:56 AM
I was reading about the depth of sand beds and at what point it can cause problems. Cant find where it was yet but was reading about dark spots in the lower depths were a sign of it being too deep.

Im still researching this but wanted to get a poll up ... "How Deep is your Sand Bed?"

Please provide links to research pages.

Thx

dwd5813
02/21/2009, 02:01 AM
dunno, it's 40 pounds of sand in a 40 breeder but the depth varies between 2+ inches and less than one inch.

ReefHawke
02/21/2009, 02:03 AM
a link:

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/deepsandbeds.htm

xJake
02/21/2009, 02:25 AM
You forgot the "< 1 inch" category. I just keep a "dusting" of sand (1/8"-1/4") in each of my tanks for a more natural looking aquascape. I've kept DSBs in the display, and I have always ended up with some kind of issue. So, if you want to use one for nitrification, then I would recommend using a RDSB or "Remote Deep Sand Bed."

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=595109

BuddhaKiss
02/21/2009, 02:39 AM
I used to run a DSB in my old 58. Hated how it looked tho. So when I upgraded to a 90, I only have about an 1 in the DT, but still have a DSB and macroalgae in the fuge.

Playa-1
02/21/2009, 06:34 AM
I've got a few inches in the Dt and 10" in a Remote location.

cloak
02/21/2009, 02:43 PM
It was 4".

Nereaga
02/21/2009, 04:32 PM
I too used to run a DSB of 6'' in my old 75g, had problems of elevated NitrAtes. I don't think I maintained it as much as I should have or had enough sand sifters.

My 50g breeder has 40lbs of sand in it, less than one inch all over. My NitrAtes are less than 0.02 Mg/L.

Works for me! :)

Maystar2784
02/21/2009, 06:27 PM
always kept a deep sand bed 6"+ especially with sand bed filtering organisms with about a pound of live rock per gallon or more. seems to keep and even keel eco system. never have to adjust my levels. I have also seen successful aquariums with no real sandbed. Have noticed over the years when it is a shalow sandbed that there have been more issues with levels. olive snails work well with a deep sandbed, not too many though or they will completely clean it out for everyone.

chrismunn
02/21/2009, 06:35 PM
mine is 0" :)

chrismunn
02/21/2009, 06:36 PM
[welcome]

welcome to RC maystar2784

spleify
02/21/2009, 07:17 PM
Mine are generally 1-2"

jterrell
02/21/2009, 10:01 PM
3" to 4" Any less and I've had trouble much more and you get trouble.
On another note it does matter what grain size you use. I always use aragonite with a grain size of 1.0 to2.0 mm. Any larger and you end up with nitrates and sugar size or oolatic sand is just harder to clean. All this is just my opinion.

Tswifty
02/21/2009, 10:05 PM
1/2"

supervdl
02/21/2009, 11:24 PM
Mine is just 1-2" that's it.

smatter
02/21/2009, 11:27 PM
0.0

Grunt
02/22/2009, 12:32 PM
3" in 20 gal
4" in 90 gal

mrter
02/22/2009, 01:39 PM
I average out to about 1'' in a 90 gal, but I have too much flow that blows it all around, so it ranges between 0 and 2''. I need to get around to fixing that.

Misled
02/22/2009, 03:02 PM
4 to 6, so I went with 5.