How deep for a dsb

[hkgar]

When I was setting up my tank and before I found this site, my LFS said I only needed about 1 - 1 /12 inches of LS. From what I have seen around this site many are suggestin 2 - 4 inches of ls. I have 22 lbs of Fiji live rock and 36 lbs of Tonga Lalo LR in my 50 gallon tall (36x18x18). I have several hermits and 12 -15 snails plus Sally light foot and two emaralds.
Would it be possible to add ls now that the tank has cycled and fish and coral have been introduced?
Thanks in advance
Gary

 

[lnarobbins]

im going to switch over to ls myself. to make a good deep sand bed you need 4-6". and your answer is yes, you can swich over when you have a established tank. take out half of your old substrate with your gravel vacum. then put the ls down on the clean half. make sure your power heads are off, and wait for a few days, then do the other half of your tank.
This is what I plan on doing the first of the month.
I am sure there are other ways of doing it.
this is my opinion, hope this helps
Alan

 

[ed r]

If you are going to put in a DSB I would recommend reading "Sandbed Swap" in this link
<a href="http://fishwhisperer.homestead.com/articles.html" target="_blank">http://fishwhisperer.homestead.com/articles.html</a>
I used this approach last Saturday and have been very happy with the results. My only regret was that I allowed the water level in my tank to get very low over the old substrate. I removed that CC with no problem and put the new sand (Aragamax sugar sized prewashed) in without rinsing to save as much of the very fine sediments as possible. This created a lot of scum and cloudiness. Because of the low water level, my two clowns that were in the tank were forced to swim into the scum. As soon as I noticed this and realized my error, I removed them to one of the tubs containing my corals. Sadly they died 2 and 3 days later. If you leave more water in the tank and/or rinse the new sand, I don't think you would have the fish losses. Since I wanted to avoid rinsing out the fine sediments, I wish I had planned to remove the fish as soon as the rock was removed and the water level reduced, before removing the old substrate and definitely before installing the new one.
If you do not rinse the fine sediments from the sand, it takes a long time for the water to completely clear. I think it was worth it and feel the approach suggested was a good way to go. As I mentioned my deviations that cost me my clowns would be handled differently, if I did another tank.
Emphasizing what he says in the article... Plan everything out in detail ahead of time and be prepared. Good luck.

 

[nm reef]

Wow ed...great link!!! Added it to my favorites!!!
Just follow the instructions...plan ahead...and when the dust settles enjoy the benefits of a well set-up DSB...I'd suggest 4"-6" myself but 2"-4" does work.

 

[irishstout]

The way I have increased my sand bed was by adding about a 1/2 inch a week. I used an aragonite based sand that I rinsed before adding. All I did was turn off the pumps and power heads for about ten minutes before adding. The excess that was on the rock I blew off using my turkey baster. It took a few hours for the tank to clear, and there was no ill effects to the tank inhabitants. My sand bed is now 4 inches or more and doing nicely. THis worked for me but I'm sure there are a thousand opinions on the best way, this was my way. HTH

 

[sandy]

Whew! 2"-4" does work? Cool. I've been slowing increasing mine. I'm about 3" now almost all Natures Ocean infused with LS from LFS. (Plus 80lbs LR in 50 gal). More sand in the tank seems like it would really decrease water volume. ... but I'll be adding a little more here and there.

 

[sandy]

NM Reef? See above. Pwetty Pweeese!