Deep Sand Bed

[unknown]

Hi,

have read a lot on deep sand bed with various people supporting different opinion on how high it should be before it's considered a deep sand bed.

Some have expressed that too deep a sandbed will result in it turning against u in the sense that it may crash.

Thus, based on ur experience and readings, what will be considered an ideal height for a deep sand bed if the tank is 2.5ft in height?

[hamannbmw]

i'll go for 6" .. considering you do have allowance for a higher sandbed due to the height of 2.5ft

[dravan]

5" to 6" u have a high tank.... the sandbed when mature wld be good for nitrate removal

[silverfish]

Hmm.. IMHO.. if the sandbed is too thick.. it might not look good..

[unknown]

Hmm.. IMHO.. if the sandbed is too thick.. it might not look good..

agree.. but since 2 inch of the sandbed will be hidden by the cabinet.. think can stack another 3-4 inch on top to make a 5-6inch sand bed.. but only 3-4 inch will be visible..

Just concern that too deep a sandbed will be harmful instead of beneficial in the long run

[Acanthurus pyroferus]

Some of us might think that sand beds have no place in a coral reef aquarium or very little , particulary if they are trying to establish something resembling a natural coral reef. However ,with some thought I am sure they would realize that most coral reefs are surrounded by sand area and by constructing a sand bed area we merely emulate nature... Three things , first they provide processing and exporting some dissolved nutrients , second they provide a place to recycle detritus , excess foods , animal feces and other particulate material into useable forms. Finally they provide a food source for many reef animals....

[unknown]

Some of us might think that sand beds have no place in a coral reef aquarium or very little , particulary if they are trying to establish something resembling a natural coral reef. However ,with some thought I am sure they would realize that most coral reefs are surrounded by sand area and by constructing a sand bed area we merely emulate nature... Three things , first they provide processing and exporting some dissolved nutrients , second they provide a place to recycle detritus , excess foods , animal feces and other particulate material into useable forms. Finally they provide a food source for many reef animals....

heh heh, did u lift this off somewhere?? think i read this b4..

[FuEl]

That's why now there are actually cabinets that are made that allows your tank to 'sink' in.

[Terryz_]

Feeling 6 inches would be too high... Should be 4-5 inch maximum... IMO...

[FuEl]

Alot of factors are also involved, including the grade of sand you are using. If you are using grade 0 maybe 4-5 inches would suffice. If you are using grade 1 you might need slightly a deeper layer of sand. If your temperature is below 27 degrees celcius a deeper sand bed would most probably function better.

[Acanthurus pyroferus]

heh heh, did u lift this off somewhere?? think i read this b4..

didn't have to lift that off mah....aiyah....close eyes also know meh...cheh!!! No need to surf net one lah...all memorize already... don't play , play ah....eaquarist ask me to identify something that came in today...now going to their post...chiao!

[ben]

[tigershark]

my tank is only 24" tall but i'm using 6" DSB with grade 0 sand. It sure looks ugly but I custom made my cabinet skirting to be 5" tall to cover up the DSB. the additional height is not only benefits me from reducing NO3 but also eliminate the need of MH..... currently using 5X36W 8000K PL + 1x36W blue PL.