Sand levels

[divertrain]

Ok, been reading all day!! You guys throw alot of information out here!! Nice job with explanations and advice though...anyway, my question is this.......I have 55 gal new reef tank set up ... my water is stable and my levels are all testing excellent ( I know, I know anything could change that). We are 6 weeks into this......I have about 21/2 inches of live sand in my tank and I read where you reccommended to another individual to have 4 inches.....is there a rule for determining sand levels per gallon??? I would have thought that the sand would cause more displacement.....??:notsure:
Thanks for any replies,
DiverTrain

 

[cprdnick]

Without going bare bottom, your minimum is about a pound of sand per gallon. Deep sand beds are very popular as they create anoxic zones, these zones are low if not free of oxygen and water flow. This helps the portion of the nitrogen cycle that relieves the system of nitrates. Keeping the DSB healthy with shifting creatures is a must and is more expensive to maintain as far as creatures. Not much, but hey every dollar counts right. 2 and 1/2 inches isn't bad at all, I'm sitting at 1 1/2 inches and am having not problems. Alot of people prefer to go with a DSB but just as many prefer a shallow bed. It's all up to what you are wanting to acclomplish and how you want the tank to look and operate.
Clint

 

[sjt1107]

I have a 90gal with about 3 inches of sand.
I think you'll be fine.

 

[h2oengr]

I've only got about 2 inches in my tank. I've heard horror stories that a DSB "self-destructs" after about 4-5 years. But, if you get that long out of them and they keep your 'trates down, then you might try it. Also, putting 4-6 inches of sand in your tank is another couple of inches of other stuff you could host! Just a though.

 

[cprdnick]

Originally posted by H2OENGR
I've heard horror stories that a DSB "self-destructs" after about 4-5 years.
I have read that somewhere, but I try not to mention it in a group of people that swears by it. It might cause and argument, lol.
Clint

 

[gregvabch]

i've been reading up on what Dr. ron shimek has to say about DSB's, on "the other site", and i'm leaning towards setting up another one, this time 5 or 6 inches deep, when i switch over to my 75. just seems like an easier way to go, plus there's less gadgets to break when i'm sleeping/at work