Bio rings VS DSB for sump

[jOsHiE]

Just wondering how many of you would use a dsb for filteration in ya sump for the middle section or bio rings instead?? AM really confuse over this expect about which is better pls advice!!!

[flubberina13]

usually in Marine...the DSB is better then the bioballs which become nitrates factory.

However, if the space allocated for DSB is neliglible...it doesn't make a difference. So you leave it bare to prevent micro bubbles in tank lor...

My $0.02...

[lightningstrike]

usually in Marine...the DSB is better then the bioballs which become nitrates factory.

However, if the space allocated for DSB is neliglible...it doesn't make a difference. So you leave it bare to prevent micro bubbles in tank lor...

My $0.02...

alternatively, u can stuff the center section wif LRs.

[piglet]

Or you can use DSB , lots of live rock and further support by nitrate reactor. >should be very stable.

Do seek reefers like lightningstrike, flubberina13, deepblue, alanseah etc for advice.

[jOsHiE]

alternatively, u can stuff the center section wif LRs.

so LRs would be better than bio balls?? and wat u mean by micro bubbles i don get u?? erm and so all i need to be able to set up a dsb is to be able to have 4 inches of sand right??

[terryansimon]

microbubbles are small and irritating bubbles. like when you blow air into water through a straw, you get bubbles. except the bubbles are much finer, and have the ability to wreck a sandstorm in your tank......I don't know if there are any other consequences.

[jOsHiE]

i was also advice not to have a sandbed for my main tank.... cos the fish guy told me its easier to maintain the water quality that way... pls advice??

[weileong]

are you setting up a FOWLR or a reef tank?

[jOsHiE]

are you setting up a FOWLR or a reef tank?

A reef tank!!!

[Travy]

i was also advice not to have a sandbed for my main tank.... cos the fish guy told me its easier to maintain the water quality that way... pls advice??

I think a DSB in yur tank is still recommended.

Ease of maintainence, of coz.

But When it comes to biological functions, it far out weighs the trouble of getting some sand in yur sipon when u change the tank water.

And i believe what he meant also is the possible of getting debris and algae growing on it after a while.

Two ways of tackling it:

- Good all round circulation, And i dont mean 'whirlpool and sandstorm' kinda current. And yur corals prob will like the circulation too.

-Get some 'sandcrew'. Heee.. Like cuke, urchin, some brittlestars, gobies... and stuff... ask ard if u need help.

[patrick123]

I think there are currently two approaches to a reef tank:

1. Use DSB in the main reef tank (DSB in the sump is sometime too small to make any difference). Pro: cheap, Con: difficult to clean in the long run.

2. Go bare bottom (no DSB), but use a very (and I mean very) powerful skimmer. Pro: no need to clean the sand. Can crank up the wave and not worry about sand storm. Con: Need to buy expensive and powerful skimmer and may be even denitrator at the beginning.

Cheers,

Patrick

[Clownfish]

i wld second flub's recommendation, if the section is very small, dun waste ur time n money, just leave it bare.... otherwise, if ur sump design permits, u can consider DSB + macroalgae + lightings... effectively u have a refugium....

therefore, it wld be gd to tell us how ur middle section looks like before we can seriously give u a gd suggestion

[hamannbmw]

choose something u r comfortable with..... , no system is tip top...

[jOsHiE]

i wld second flub's recommendation, if the section is very small, dun waste ur time n money, just leave it bare.... otherwise, if ur sump design permits, u can consider DSB + macroalgae + lightings... effectively u have a refugium....

therefore, it wld be gd to tell us how ur middle section looks like before we can seriously give u a gd suggestion

am going for a 3 by 1.5 by 2 feet tank meaning the width is 1.5 feet. So thinking of getting a 2 by 1 by 1.5 sump any suggestions on how i should split my sump up??

[RAV-65]

would strongly advise a refugium, it can help to export nitrates and phosphates...

[YzF]

A DSB in sump can also in pods population.