Should I convert to DSB?

[electrocuted]

I started my FOTWLR about 2 months ago and everything has went great. (knock on wood here) I have a 110 xhi with 100# of live rock and about 50# crushed coral for a substrate. Should I convert to a DSB. From everything I have read on the site, it looks as if it is the way to go. If so, do I just add argonite based sand to my cc or should it be removed?

 

[broomer5]

Sounds like the beginnings of a very nice tank.
Here's the long version to your question.
Would it be better if you went with a DSB - yes I believe it would be. If you are a DSB believer, or at least leaning towards this method, you'll kick yourself later if you don't do it now.
I'd take a Saturday or day off, and just do it.
It's not that bad of a job, actually like setting up a tank from the start again which I rather enjoy
Remove the water and rock and put in large rubbermaid trashcans.
Keep it warm with heater is necessary and add powerheads - it'll be fine.
Siphon off the last bit of water - scoop out the CC and toss it.
Clean bottom of tank a little.
Add your new DSB dry - aragonite sand of mixed grain size. Oolite is nice stuff to use - maybe 50% oolite sugar sized then various other grain size too. Lots of info on DSB's here and on the net.
Then place a large glass bowl in the sand and pump your saltwater back into the tank, about halfway full.
Add back your live roc and fill to top with saltwater.
Few hours of work now will be worth it later IMO.
Here's the short answer to your question.
Yes

 

[broomer5]

Electrocuted,
How's that for two opposing views
Goes to show you there are many ways to set up and run a saltwater tank.
Acanthurus Pyroferus, Have you been running the Rainbow FB300 Fluidized bed AND a DSB together on your 58 ?
Having both biological filtration methods on a tank seems to me to be somewhat self-defeating.
As I'm sure you know, fluidized beds are extremely efficient at nitrification, but like a wet/dry/bioball filter - do not allow for areas of denitrification to occur.
As I'm also sure you know, nitrifying bacteria will tend to grow where there is the greatest amount of available oxygen and nutrients. Their numbers will be limited to these two factors. It may be possible that your DSB has not had a chance to mature with sufficient bacteria colonies, which prevent it from functioning properly. Bacterial film adhearing to the sand grains allow both the fluidized bed and a DSB to do their respective jobs. But I would not utilize both methods on my tank. One or the other - but not both.
Just curious what you think about this? Not wanting to get into a big DSB vs. CC debate - but I do find it interesting.
I'm a firm believer that we should use whatever methods we've had success using, and that our own experiences count more than what other's have choosen to do.

 

[broomer5]

Acanthurus Pyroferus
I've read and re-read your replys, and your choice to go back to using crushed coral over a DSB sounds like a reasonable decision in your case. Whatever you have success with - you should stick with it. If crushed coral works for you - go for it and don't look back.
I made the switch to a DSB when I set up my 75. I had previously used crushed coral on my 55 and 30 long, and my nitrates were becoming a noticable problem in both tanks.
I'm pretty sure what led to the increase in nitrates was not simply my choice of substrate, but was a combination of several things such as overfeeding, overstocking, lack of routine water changes and not fully understanding the water chemistry.
A crushed coral substrate is not the cause of nitrates by itself.
An unstocked, unfed tank will not develop nitrates due to it's substrate. It's these other factors that lead to nitrates as a natural product of the nitrogen cycle. I am becoming a firm supporter of using a deep living sandbed though - and will not go back to using crushed coral. It's a workable solution for me - a combination that I will continue to use.
I do believe that my DSB is now beginning to function as it should, with nitrate readings approaching the "magical" zero point, but again, there are other things at play here.
As far as Chillicothe Ohio, it's just under 200 miles from where I live, about a 4 hour drive last time I drove it. I don't normally get down that way too often, so gettin together to talk shop may be a little tough. But if you're up towards Toledo - let me know. And if you're heading up around Detroit for any reason - there's a place you just got to go visit.
Thanks for the comments about my tank, and I'm eager to hear how your 75 evolves.
Good luck my friend

 

[fshhub]

sorry to hear about your problems, witha dsb, but befroe jumping the gun,
What type of sand did you use(could be affecting both your nitrates and buffering problem). if you used aragonite, then the problem really could not feasibly be the sand, since aragonite and cc are the same composition, however if you used silica sand, then this could be why.
If it were dry sand, there is why you are probably having problems with your nitrates as well, dry sand takes time to become live sand, esp with the bacterias. It will fluctuate (IN MOST SYSTEMS, heck using ls even takes months to get functioning) until the bacteria colonizes and starts doing its job. Just as if we were to add DRY rock in a large amount(believe me i did both at one time and it took MONTHS before i finally gave up and spent the oney on LR instead, cheapskate that i was). Live sand on the other hand, would stabilize and start working much sooner(IMEO). IT IS REALLY CYCLING IN ITSELF.
As you have done, we had made the switch, we have used cc, ls, DSB, and a mixture of the 2, IN THE SAME TANK, and will not consider using cc again, i t just took time and we did the switch real slow, after mixing cc and ls together. OMG!! What a PAIN that was to get out(saving the sand at the same time). Now, with our new set ups, only use a DSB from the start, much less headache and less work all around.
NOT flaming or bashing, cc DOES work for some. But a DSB is also good(better, IMO). just pointing out some facts, taht could be part of your problems is all.