Do you have your reef set up with DSB or Bare Bottom ?

In article , ReeFeR_MaN wrote:
DSB's have been around for longer than I would term a "fad"

There is also some scientific evidence to support the use of DSB.

I'm running a microreef (15 gal) with no sand and a bunch of live rock
(tank is about 1/2 full of live rock). Nitrates are zero, but I have to
watch the pH.

I used to have a 65 gal tank with a 3-4 inches of live sand. When I
moved out and broke down the tank, the sand was all poopy underneath. I
had a whole bunch of red and blue legged hermit crabs which I thought
would sift the sand. Apparently they didn't sift the sand much below
the depth of 1/2 inch. Lots of cool humongous worms in the bottom of
the sand though.

Are people concerned about all the poopy stuff that builds up down in
the sand?

--
Ben in DC
(put 030516 anywhere in the subj to get thru)


ReeFeR_MaN wrote:
Just out of interest what do you run your reef tank with a DSB or a Bare
Bottom ?

Mine is a 4'' - 5'' DSB

Thanks

In article ,
says...
I'm running a microreef (15 gal) with no sand and a bunch of live rock
(tank is about 1/2 full of live rock). Nitrates are zero, but I have to
watch the pH.

I used to have a 65 gal tank with a 3-4 inches of live sand. When I
moved out and broke down the tank, the sand was all poopy underneath. I
had a whole bunch of red and blue legged hermit crabs which I thought
would sift the sand. Apparently they didn't sift the sand much below
the depth of 1/2 inch. Lots of cool humongous worms in the bottom of
the sand though.

Are people concerned about all the poopy stuff that builds up down in
the sand?

Actually, that "poopy" stuff is nitrifying bacteria, and is the goodness
of a DSB. :-) The crabs aren't supposed to sift much below the 1/2 inch
mark... I guess -- I don't really know how far they're "supposed" to
sift, but definitely not the whole depth of the DSB -- only the top
layer...

--
7y FW -- 33g & 55g
100 gallon reef-ready air tank. (Converting to reef)

"Put 030516 in email subj to get thru" wrote in
message ...
I'm running a microreef (15 gal) with no sand and a bunch of live rock
(tank is about 1/2 full of live rock). Nitrates are zero, but I have to
watch the pH.

I used to have a 65 gal tank with a 3-4 inches of live sand. When I
moved out and broke down the tank, the sand was all poopy underneath. I
had a whole bunch of red and blue legged hermit crabs which I thought
would sift the sand. Apparently they didn't sift the sand much below
the depth of 1/2 inch. Lots of cool humongous worms in the bottom of
the sand though.

Are people concerned about all the poopy stuff that builds up down in
the sand?

Recommend to have DSB for any Reef tank. 3-4" is good. Better to get a fine
sand like "Southdown" / "aragonite" or similar type so it can not trap thing
unlike CC type. The poop will decompose by itself or by those critter that
live on and in the sand. The worm critter will stir your sand and will
release some toxic from the sand. Water circulation is important also. You
do not want any "Dead Spot".

Crab will scanvengage any uneaten thing that was leftover. Worm will stir
your sand.

CapFusion,...

I have my FOwLR as a barebottom because I have a porcupine puffer that is a
messy eater and haven't found a clean up crew he won't eat yet.
David Young
"Richard Reynolds" wrote in message
news:HsJOa.120472$hd6.101263@fed1read05...
1 plennum (reef 37g)
1 dsb (reef 150g)
1 1" cc (FO 10g)
1 1" fine sand (nano reef 7g)
1 3" 1mm sand non-dsb (FO-preditor 75g)
1 variety of sand depths and a variety of substances(sand/cc/shells ....)
(FO 125g)


there are only a few reasons i can think of, of using a bare bottom tank,
none hold up to
a DSB's many advantages.

--
Richard Reynolds




"ReeFeR_MaN" wrote in message
...
Just out of interest what do you run your reef tank with a DSB or a Bare
Bottom ?

Mine is a 4'' - 5'' DSB

Thanks





--- Synchronet 3.10L-Win32 NewsLink 1.52
* Time Warp of the Future BBS - Vancouver, Washington - telnet://Time.Darktech.Org

my blue spot ray does very well in the tank, lotsa sand small/medium ray medium puffer,
the key is water movement so it gets picked up in mechanical filtration and mechanical
filtration that doesnt stay submerged, and is cleaned often. but then there is NO lr in
the tank, as the ray needs the sand and LR is bad for them. on top of that i throw in the
ocasional cheapo crabs the LFS sells for like a quarter, then in a weekish i pull the
empty shells at least whats left of them and toss them into my reef.

--
Richard Reynolds




"David Young" wrote in message
news:JkLOa.13928$ye4.13603@sccrnsc01...
I have my FOwLR as a barebottom because I have a porcupine puffer that is a
messy eater and haven't found a clean up crew he won't eat yet.
David Young
"Richard Reynolds" wrote in message
news:HsJOa.120472$hd6.101263@fed1read05...
1 plennum (reef 37g)
1 dsb (reef 150g)
1 1" cc (FO 10g)
1 1" fine sand (nano reef 7g)
1 3" 1mm sand non-dsb (FO-preditor 75g)
1 variety of sand depths and a variety of substances(sand/cc/shells ....)
(FO 125g)


there are only a few reasons i can think of, of using a bare bottom tank,
none hold up to
a DSB's many advantages.

--
Richard Reynolds




"ReeFeR_MaN" wrote in message
...
Just out of interest what do you run your reef tank with a DSB or a Bare
Bottom ?

Mine is a 4'' - 5'' DSB

Thanks







--- Synchronet 3.10L-Win32 NewsLink 1.52
* Time Warp of the Future BBS - Vancouver, Washington - telnet://Time.Darktech.Org

DSB deep sand bed
What is the newest fad/craze to be used in reefs.

"Boomer" wrote in message
...
We tried Bare bottoms for years, not a good idea, unless you keep it very
clean

--
Boomer

Want to talk chemistry ? The Reef Chemistry Forum
http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin/index.php

Want to See More ?
Please Join Our Growing Membership
www.coralrealm.com

If You See Me Running You Better Catch-Up
"ReeFeR_MaN" wrote in message
...
: Just out of interest what do you run your reef tank with a DSB or a Bare
: Bottom ?
:
: Mine is a 4'' - 5'' DSB
:
: Thanks
:
:
:


--- Synchronet 3.10L-Win32 NewsLink 1.52
* Time Warp of the Future BBS - Vancouver, Washington - telnet://Time.Darktech.Org

DSB's have been around for longer than I would term a "fad"





"david" wrote in message
...
DSB deep sand bed
What is the newest fad/craze to be used in reefs.

"Boomer" wrote in message
...
We tried Bare bottoms for years, not a good idea, unless you keep it
very
clean

--
Boomer

Want to talk chemistry ? The Reef Chemistry Forum
http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin/index.php

Want to See More ?
Please Join Our Growing Membership
www.coralrealm.com

If You See Me Running You Better Catch-Up
"ReeFeR_MaN" wrote in message
...
: Just out of interest what do you run your reef tank with a DSB or a
Bare
: Bottom ?
:
: Mine is a 4'' - 5'' DSB
:
: Thanks
:
:
:




--- Synchronet 3.10L-Win32 NewsLink 1.52
* Time Warp of the Future BBS - Vancouver, Washington - telnet://Time.Darktech.Org