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Txboi
12/31/2012, 12:50 PM
I'm going to be setting up my first reef tank in the next month or two and was wondering wether I should have a DSB or a SSB from what I understand the two disadvantages of the two is that a DSB is that it can cause old tank syndrome and a SSB has two be vacuumed so I was wondering which one y'all have success with in the long run?

downbeach
12/31/2012, 01:03 PM
Lots of opinions here. I have had DSB's for many years, and have never had a problem with OTS.
Here is why I use a DSB:
http://www.ronshimek.com/deep_sand_beds.html
For this to be successful you need to follow all the principals that are set forth in the article.

Here is the substrate:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+9805+7321&pcatid=7321

Activated with this:

http://www.ipsf.com/reefworms.html

I used both the Live sand activator plus, and the Reefworms diversity package.

There are a few animals you don't want to use if you have a DSB, as mentioned in Rom Shimek's article. Here is why:

http://marine-engineers.org/2012/01/10/sandbed-death-innocent-killers/

Txboi
12/31/2012, 04:24 PM
Downbeach did you wait to add the package till after your cycle

downbeach
12/31/2012, 05:14 PM
Downbeach did you wait to add the package till after your cycle
I added it about a week after I set the tank up, along with a couple clown fish.

Txboi
01/01/2013, 01:39 PM
I was woundering because I sent email to the guy from the website of the link you provided and he said that I should wait till after the cycle is through befor add it my only worry is that because I'm using mostly base rock so from what I've heard it tacks longer to cycle and that in that time the bed would go bad or would it be ok because there is no livestock in the tank?

BoCoMo
01/01/2013, 01:47 PM
I like SSB or BB (I run ULNS)

Txboi
01/01/2013, 02:08 PM
What does ulns stand for I'm new to the hobby

Ted_C
01/01/2013, 02:17 PM
Ultra low nutrient. Keeping Phosphate and nitrates down near undetectable levels.

I - like downbeach - added my ipsf package 2 weeks after I set my tank up - on the advice of Gerald from IPSF.

I have 3 3/4" sandbed in my display (48x24) and 5" in my fuge (24x21). I am still new so I have no information on the old tank syndrome as of yet. Ask me again in 5 years.