Sand Bed Depth

[rememberme]

I am using a fine live sand for my bed and have been told that it is not at a good depth (2")... Is there any truth in what I have been told, does the depth really matter?

[dlopes]

The Depth of the SB only matters if you want to have some anaerobic places in the substract to perform the desnitrification.

[Paidbychrist0825]

I'll back diogo up on that one. Depth only matters if you are aiming for nitrate reducing bed. If you are seeking denitrification, a depth of 4-6 inches is reccomended

[jman785]

Although, there will be heated debate on this subject...because its a matter of opinion apparently.

[acropora]

I'll back diogo up on that one. Depth only matters if you are aiming for nitrate reducing bed. If you are seeking denitrification, a depth of 4-6 inches is recommended
There is much debate on the long term success of a DSB. And opinions vary.However,there is little or no debate on the issue of the depth of a DSB. As stated above, 4"-6" is the norm.Deeper would be better but not practical for most tanks.If you decide on a DSB,then it is necessary to use dertrivore kits consisting of critters like bristle worms,spaghetti worms and nassarious snails.You should also not keep fish that will eat these sand critters,such as fish that stir up the sand to eat them.

[MikeS]

Acropora is right....4-6" is the ideal depth for a DSB.

The debate on the subject of DSB's mostly has to do with the long term success of a DSB in a reef tank. Some reefkeepers have experienced a drop in the DSB's denitrating abilities over time.

My DSB is 3 years old, and I have yet to experience this drop. My nitrates always test below 0.2 mg/L, verified on two seperate test kits. I have a personal theory that those who experince the drop in DSB performance probably have heavily stocked and fed tanks, and the amount of sand in relation to this in these tanks slowly loses the ability to keep up with the denitrafication process. This is of course simply speculation on my part....but it makes sense to me...

Mike

[icereefer]

me to I've ran DSB for years now, I have had know problems,I also like running refugiums they make nice breeding tanks for your Detritivores.
I use 4" to 4 1/2" Detritivores usally only work the top 1 to 2" of top sand.