Adding sand.

[travelerjp98]

I have decided that in order to reduce NO3, I will have to create more anaerobic zones for denitrifying bacteria to live in.
I will just add sand on top of my crushed coral. I have already purchased 30lb.... not NEARLY enough, but it's a start.
I think that first I will rinse it out in a large trash can, and remove all floating particles. Then, I will add it on top of the cc during a water change. I plan to add around 200lb total sand. I purchased CaribSea aragonite.... .5-1mm diameter.....

 

[adonis311]

What if I wanted to remove the CC from my tank completely and replace it all with sand? What's the safest way to do that?

 

[adonis311]

What if I wanted to remove the CC from my tank completely and replace it all with sand? What's the safest way to do that?

 

[snakeblitz33]

I would highly recommend vaccuming out all of your crushed coral with a gravel vac before adding the substrate on top. I've done that method before with some measured amount of success. But, 200 pounds in a 180g tank isn't going to get you the 6" - 8" depth that you would need for anaerobic bacterial growth.
Also, by creating anaerobic zones in your display tank - if you ever stir up your sandbed, you will risk hydrogen sulfide being leached into the water column and nuking your tank.
Most people use remote RDSBs in two trash cans. One trash can every two years needs to be cleaned. That's one way you can reduce nitrates, and with 18" behind your aquarium, I'm pretty sure you can find a few 5g buckets for the project. It would also be cheaper on you for the amount of sand you would need to buy.
If you want the look of sand in your tank instead of crushed coral, I highly suggest removing the crushed coral first, and then adding a 2" sandbed, and THEN adding two or three 5g containers of RDSBs.
Another thing you could do is invest in half way decent lights and add a ton of macroalgae. I know a place online that sells it for almost dirt cheap!

 

[travelerjp98]

Yeah, I'm definitely going to vacuum the gravel first.... and I like the idea with the buckets a lot too.
But, what would be the point of removing the cc from the bottom?

 

[snakeblitz33]

Shoot, you could probably gravel vac your crushed coral regularly as well as have a couple of remote deep sand beds.
However, I'm tellin' you right now, deep sand beds, or really deep sand beds are not the most efficient short term way of reducing overall nitrate and phosphate. Getting a decent protein skimmer will tremendously help. Water changes, macroalgae, algae scrubbers are all better choices than a deep sand bed.

 

[travelerjp98]

I'm looking into something long term.
The skimmer is also on my list.
I have a refugium.

 

[snakeblitz33]

What type of light do you have over your refugium? When was the last time your changed the bulbs? How many watts is it / are they?

 

[travelerjp98]

13 watt PC
The refugium macro grows like crazy. No need to worry there!

 

[snakeblitz33]

13w really isnt a lot at all. I bet you would quadruple your algae harvest with more and better lighting. 26 to43w cfl bulbs are Pretty good for macro growth. If you could harvest your algae way more often, you would see a great reduction in nitrate and phosphate. Most people underpowered their fuge lights and then wonder why macro algae isn't helping to reduce their overall n&p concentration. Just saying'

 

[travelerjp98]

I will look into stronger lights for it! Don't get me wrong, I love having your comments on my threads!
Hopefully it's the same vice versa

 

[snakeblitz33]

Here's another thing you may not be aware of. Those lights loose spectrum and intensity after three months. Then they have to be replaced.

 

[travelerjp98]

I was aware of that... but thanks anyways.

 

[gemmy]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/389599/adding-sand#post_3444480
Another thing you could do is invest in half way decent lights and add a ton of macroalgae. I know a place online that sells it for almost dirt cheap!
PM please.

 

[travelerjp98]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gemmy http:///t/389599/adding-sand#post_3444874
PM please.
+1. Or email.

 

[travelerjp98]

I'm gonna go with a SSB just for looks. I added 30lb of it over my cc yesterday. I plan to add 30-45 more lbs.
I know it's not going to do anything for NO3, but I really dislike the look of the cc.
Next, I'm going to add some more macroalgae. Some decorative, others for the refugium.
Finally, when I save up the $, I will get the SWC 180 Cone in-sump skimmer. (Couple of months there)
In the middle of this, I will be doing 26g water changes every other day. I will also be feeding less.