Recent DSB failures....

[hookedonreefs]

I have an idea about the DSB issue that is occurring in our threads lately.
My idea only applies to larger tanks, but I'm sure someone will think of a way to modify it to fit smaller tanks. Imagine there is a tank just for the fuge. So display has only a SSB. In the fuge you have a DSB and all the other fuge goodies. OK, now when the sandbed is say five years old (a generally noted point of no return for failing DSBs) you shut off the flow to the fuge. Then you drain the fuge into either a temp. holding tank or another sump plumbed into your system. Now basically you have a tank with just wet sand in it. You can now safely change out 90% of your sand. This revitilizes your dsb and then you just reconnect the fuge to your system and keep on going for another 5 years.
I think of it like pumping out a septic system every 5 years. You basically store all your cr*p, then when it's just about full, you pump it out.
I'm sure there can be slight mods to this idea that will provide positive results. Anyone (like people with BIG lagoons that know alot about DSBs) have thoughts on this system?

 

[robchuck]

This idea is exactly how I plan to set up my upcoming reef. The display is 150 gallons and will have a 1-2" SSB. It will drain into a 55 gallon sump, where the return plumbing will be Tee'd to send about 400gph to a 150 gallon Rubbermaid stock tank refugium. The refugium will have a DSB (along with macros and other typical refugium inhabitants) and will include ball valves and unions so that it can be taken offline for maintenance or DSB exchange without disrupting the rest of the display system.

 

[fishman830]

if i'm not mistaken steve weast has a shallow sand bed and does do sand changes

 

[golfish]

I too belive DSB will crash, even if you maintain then correctly they will crash, that's already been proven. Some might crash some might not. There are too many factors involved for anybody to say it will or wont crash.
I added a small amount of sand to my 120, maybe enough to cover the tank 1/4"..I'l probably take the corals and rock out in a few weeksmonths and remove that sand. I feel it will do more harm then good. I do have a DSB in my 30 gal fuge. That can crash all it wants to. It will be east to remove.

 

[mary]

I have very little sand in my tank, mixed with fine coral. Want to add more just for the goby that is smaller than I anticipated and I know it needs to sift sand. Was going to get it from the bottom tank where I "liven" it up and then bring it to the top tank. What are the signs of dsb and ssb {shallow}beds crashing? Mine are airated by me and critters constantly. Are you taliking about the phosphate concentrations? Don't mean to be a dumby but have read of system crashes. Mine is almost ten years now. What does one look for?

 

[hookedonreefs]

Kip - my current tank is stuck with a dsb in tank and really dsb in fuge. (over 6" in the fuge)
When I finished my monster tank (well maybe not monster to some, but to me it is) I'll do a ssb in the dt and a dsb in the remote fuge. If I can keep that dsb from crashing all the better. If not, then I have an easy way to swap it out.
Mary I would try to answer your question about signs of a crashing dsb, but there are too many opinons and many more educated people than me to offer advice on this topic. sorry.

 

[mary]

Thank Hookedonreefs, I will address another forum, or simply call Beths attention to this question. Certainly it may be something to look out for in that my reef is many years old at this point. No immediate signs.

 

[steveweast]

The question posed here seems incomplete to me. The purpose of a DSB is to process the generated wastes. Having a DSB in the refugium (where it can be removed if necessary) is fine....but, the main tank will be left with accumulating wastes that fail to reach the refugium. A remote DSB should be coupled with a maintenance regiment to remove detritus in the main tank.
I do not run a DSB anywhere. I run basically a thin layer of sand (for aesthetics only) that is frequently vacuumed.... with new sand being added as necessary. I try to remove wastes instead of processing them...even though it is more work.

 

[hookedonreefs]

steveweast - wouldn't scavengers be a sufficient method for removal of waste in the main tank? Things like snails, crabs, starfish etc. would be able to break down detritus to a size that is small enough for pods to the break down even smaller to a point where it is either just nitrates or can float into the fuge. That's how I imagined it in many tanks, and it seems to be applied in this way many different tanks. I guess I could do a manual removal as you described in the main tank, and replace sand as needed. I just didn't know if the method I mentioned could work or not.
Thanks,
Hooked