Mixing bare bottom with DSB

[Cardinal Tetra]

Hi, I've decided to go BB and have search and read posts on BB tanks. However, is it practical to have a BB tank, but a DSB refugium (marco algae only)? From what I know, fish poo that settles down on a sandbed would remain uncleared, which will contribute to phospate and nitrate levels.

However, if poo and dirt is filtered by the filter wool, then is it alright to have a DSB in my refugium with strictly only marco algae inside? What do you think?

[Terryz_]

Having a Remote DSB can be done but the surface area should be at least half the surface area of your main tank... For it to have noticable effects... If not it is not really useful from what i know...

My 2 cts...

[kenkht]

IMHO, BB don't look good. To keep detritus from accumulating, just change the position of your powerhead once in a while to stirr up the dtritus and make sure there is no dead zones. Once the detritus is in suspension, it will be sucked up by the filter.

But of course, i don't see the problem of setting up a DSB in the refugium.

[jervismun]

The only time I see a BB tank looks presentable is when the purple coralline grows all over to cover the base of the tank... do consider Kenkht's suggestion, for me as long as good current is there, the poo will get to the filter somehow... that's part of nature

You don't expect mother nature to take away the sand just because she hates to see fish poo, do you?

[Cardinal Tetra]

Thanks all for the advice. I had thought long and hard about having a BB tank, because like you, I once thought it ugly too.

But due to cyano and diatoms frequently breaking out on the sandbed, I've since convinced myself to convert to BB. A BB also makes the tank look neater and cleaner too.

[May&Bruce]

Look at the ocean...it has the deepest sandbed of any aquarium! LOL. DSB's can work if the setup is done well.

[loster]

Thanks all for the advice. I had thought long and hard about having a BB tank, because like you, I once thought it ugly too.

But due to cyano and diatoms frequently breaking out on the sandbed, I've since convinced myself to convert to BB. A BB also makes the tank look neater and cleaner too.

BB gives you better control of nutrients in your tank. however, you must have a good LR and skimmers cos you don't have sandbed to buffer the DOC. my tank is BB and i have undetect P04 and n03. my n03 can never go to undetect when i had my sandbed

cyano and diatoms frequently breaking out on the sandbed may be because use of tap water for water top up and water change or high nutrients level in your tank.