http links for DSB comparison studies?

[kris walker]

Hi everyone,
Do any of you know of an http link to a comparison between tanks that are using a DSB and ones that are not? I would like to see some hard data before I go trying it out.
sam

 

[burnnspy]

Tanks with DSB have little to know Nitrates, tanks witout have massive Nitrates if the bioload is that of a normal FO or reef tank.
This is a well known fact.
BurnNSpy

 

[kris walker]

Hey BurnNSpy. Forgive me for not taking everyone's "word" as fact. I have always appreciated peoples observations more than there opinions (although opinions are nice in a casual discussion). I suppose this comes from being a scientist.
I will continue looking for data first before I take statements such as yours as a fact. Your statements are often greatly appreciated, as they often steer me in very interesting directions in the hobby.
BTW, I have no dsb, 3 3'' fish, 30lbs lr in a 30 gal tank, feeding every other day, and I have *no* measureable nitrates. If I got more fish, I would *consider* my tank overstocked if it had more corals. Therefore, this observation is inconsistent with your fact statement you made in your prior shark post.
sam

 

[green mariner]

I don't know of any comparison FAQs but I do know that people who run a "Berlin" style tank(no substraight) also can have readings of 0 nitrates.
HTH

 

[guppie]

I don't know which way is better, but I have been running a 125 fo with a wetdry and canister filter with no lr or ls for over 2yrs, and my nitrates are 0 and have never been anything but. I have a couple of very messy eaters in the tank and do water changes of 20% every two weeks also clean out the canister every two months and as I said before I have never had a problem, maybe I am just lucky but that has been how I have setup and mantained my tanks for 25 yrs and it has worked. I have just set up the start of a reef tank useing lr and ls for the first time. This is my opinion, Good Luck

 

[twoods71]

I had a CC substrate for almost 4 years and when I moved from a 29 to a 55 I switched to LS. It hasnt been long enogh to say if there is any benifit for me.
By the way Burn can come off a little harsh sometimes.

 

[kris walker]

Hi everyone,
Thanks to you all for your posts. I appreciate them a lot! I've been doing a lot of research, and IMO it seems there is no measureable difference at least between plenums, dsb, and cc substrate in terms of nitrate reduction once the systems have been fully cycled given a stable rate of feeding and biosphere volume.
Best regards!
sam

 

[burnnspy]

Keep in mind that there are more things to consider when comparing CC to LS(typically aragonite), CC doesnt have the same buffering capacity. Because of its grain size CC should be vacuumed to prevent nitrate buildup. Other then its lack of buffering and recommended maintenance CC is a good substrate.
As I stated earlier water quality parameters depends on the bioload. Most people have high fish loads. When my tank had 1 Mandarin and many corals(very low bioload) I didnt even need to use test kits because the water chemistry didnt change.
BurnNSpy

 

[kris walker]

Thanks for the info Burn. I'll keep those things in mind.
cheers,
sam