When will my DSB work?

[austingirl]

My nitrates are still above 20 but less than 40 but I'm shooting for 0. I removed the sponge in my filter in hopes that my nitrates would drop below 20 but that hasn't happend. How long should it take for my DSB to begin working?
I have a 30g hex with an AquaClear300 (carbon and live rock rubble), 4" DSB, 40lbs LR, AquaClear 402 ph, two clowns, watchman goby, 3 crabs, 6 hermits, 10 snails, 2 shrimp. I feed every other day and only use RO water.
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
PH 8.2
Temp 79
Thanks,
Sarah

 

[bdhough]

Do some searches on them. I saw some Sharks talking about this in a recent thread. Beth and Kipass were in them. It takes alot of time for it to start. The goby doesn't help as he is contantly filtering out anything beneficial in the sand. You should really stick to cerith and nassarius snails to help sift the sand. Thats it i think. Oh and some bristleworms too. Stay away from the fireworms. They are noticable bigger and badder. Other than that im not sure....