DSB in Nano-Reef?

[jim27]

One guy at my lfs said that a dsb was bad for a nano-reef but another guy at a different lsf said that a dsb in a nano-reef is good and that lr, a dsb, and a 10%-15% water chang a week was all the filtration I needed. Is a dsb good or bad for a nano-reef?

 

[luke]

DSB in a Nano is not as easily exacuted as it is in a larger tank. Not in terms of the denitrafacation, but rather the creature care. It is difficult to find creatures to sift it. A small goby would be alright, also small cucumbers (large ones can be toxic especially in such a small envirnment.)
I don't currently have any substrate in my 10 gallon, but I really hate that. It does not have Nitrate issues but it looks so much better with sand I would definitly say to use a thick layer in a nano. Just find creatures to care for it.
As for filtration, I think a skimmer is just as important on a nano as anywhere (not everyone feels this way). If you have a skimmer the massive numbers of WCs will be drastically reduced. Many people feel comfortable doing WC more, but I feel it just disturbs the envirnment. I think some don't like dosing chemicals in such a small tank, but it can be done. You can always water chemicals (wet ones ) down with pure(as in RO or DI) water.
To anwer your question Yes a DSB will be fine. Yes LR, DSB and WCs is fine. I personnally like dosing and Skimmer with less WC
Luke

 

[terence trent]

I use a 3-4 dry sand bed in mine and have never had any problems. Also do not use a skimmer (tried a Prizm but made to much noise in my opinon) The one thing that I would suggest and have had luck with is a very light bioload for fish. I have one bi-color dotty back in my 15G, less waste means I can be a little less regumented in my wc