DSB in Sump

[stmomo]

Hi Guys, I am planning to put my Deep Sand Bed in the Sump tank rather then in the main tank.

Any one can advice what would be the recommended size? My main tank is 422, My sump tank is L32" by W18" by H16".

Intend to use 10" by 18" for a 6" DSB. Ok bo ha?

Many thanks....

[xaine]

That's already a pretty decent sized DSB, I've seen some with even smaller ones. However at the end of the day you will still need to test your nitrate to ensure it is capable to sustaining your bioload. Different tanks and feeding regiment would have different requirement, there's no one-size fits all Just got to test it out to be sure.

[tunicate]

Hi bro,

Below is the info when I inquire about DSB. Hope it contributes to your planning.

[stmomo]

That's already a pretty decent sized DSB, I've seen some with even smaller ones. However at the end of the day you will still need to test your nitrate to ensure it is capable to sustaining your bioload. Different tanks and feeding regiment would have different requirement, there's no one-size fits all Just got to test it out to be sure.

Thanks for the advice bro..... will take note on that....

[stmomo]

Hi bro,

Below is the info when I inquire about DSB. Hope it contributes to your planning.

Thanks for sharing bro..... it seems like advice from Bro Terryz my DSB size might not be sufficient leh.... what abt if i maintain the same DSB for my sump

and i increase my main tank live sand from 2 inches to 3 inches high? ok bo?

The reason i don wan it in the main tank is becos is a bit ugly leh... and i don wan to make my cabinet take up too much of the tank bottom just to cover the ugly live sand....

[Solo77]

Bro, any reason u decided to go for dsb? Do read up more. For effective dsb, it must be rather big and if not wrong there must be a gap in-between the sand for the bacteria. So far, not many ppl have success and seldom see ppl using this. They rather go bare. Anyway do share yr findings and setup process.

[stmomo]

Bro, any reason u decided to go for dsb? Do read up more. For effective dsb, it must be rather big and if not wrong there must be a gap in-between the sand for the bacteria. So far, not many ppl have success and seldom see ppl using this. They rather go bare. Anyway do share yr findings and setup process.

Hi Bro...... only reason is to control the NO3. Will try out and update if it really works..... thanks bro.....

[tunicate]

You can try out DSB without a permanent setup. Find a plastic tub of suitable depth & size as your DSB refugium. Cut 2 holes for balkhead fittings on 1 side of the tub. 1 for inlet from a pump in your sump, the other for overflow back into sump. Hence, you need to sit the tub higher than the sump for the overflow to work. This modular refugium can easily be dismantled without impact to the rest of your tank.

[puppet]

You can try out DSB without a permanent setup. Find a plastic tub of suitable depth & size as your DSB refugium. Cut 2 holes for balkhead fittings on 1 side of the tub. 1 for inlet from a pump in your sump, the other for overflow back into sump. Hence, you need to sit the tub higher than the sump for the overflow to work. This modular refugium can easily be dismantled without impact to the rest of your tank.

Agree with tunicate

I think this is call a remote DSB system whereby you can disengage it anytime easily without the need to scoop all the sand out etc when things goes wrong.

Some aquarist mentioned that after a long period of time, DSB could crash the system, so it might be good to have a remote system whereby u can change the DSB after ~ 6 years?

[stmomo]

You can try out DSB without a permanent setup. Find a plastic tub of suitable depth & size as your DSB refugium. Cut 2 holes for balkhead fittings on 1 side of the tub. 1 for inlet from a pump in your sump, the other for overflow back into sump. Hence, you need to sit the tub higher than the sump for the overflow to work. This modular refugium can easily be dismantled without impact to the rest of your tank.

Thanks for the advice bro..... I would need to check whether i hv the space for a external remote DSB......

[stmomo]

Agree with tunicate

I think this is call a remote DSB system whereby you can disengage it anytime easily without the need to scoop all the sand out etc when things goes wrong.

Some aquarist mentioned that after a long period of time, DSB could crash the system, so it might be good to have a remote system whereby u can change the DSB after ~ 6 years?

Really?? Thou DSB will crash the system only if you go and disturb the sand bed? You mean it crashed by itself without any reason?

or any bros here can share share their good and bad experience with DSB both in the main tank or in the sump tank? Thanks man.....

[sun2000]

Really?? Thou DSB will crash the system only if you go and disturb the sand bed? You mean it crashed by itself without any reason?

or any bros here can share share their good and bad experience with DSB both in the main tank or in the sump tank? Thanks man.....

There is a sticky in the SPS section on DSB...maybe you should see some of the comments on DSB

[kenny1111]

alot of comment is that DSB is not good.

Can i get some advise too. i now have a space of 12" x 8" 8" in my sump. Should i fill it with DSB or Full of live rock to remove the NO3 and PO4? main tank is 2ft x 1ft.

[tunicate]

You can always try chaeto.

[kenny1111]

have, but always cover by red slim.

[tunicate]

have, but always cover by red slim.

Probably due to insufficient flow, & chaeto not tumbling. But as long as it's controlling your NO3 level, you've meet your objective.