A Slow tank Leak

[Mike565]

Hi,

I have a 200gal reef tank with a remote deep sandbed. The tank has been running for 15 years. unfortunately, my DSB tank has developed a very slow leak through the bottom seam. I am debating if I should replace it with another DSB or a remote tank of Live Rock. Regardless of the decision, any recommendations on how to swap this major part of the biological filtration out without wreaking havoc?

 

[brandon429]

Instantly remove it without waste clouding, meaning don't kick up waste into the water table at all, that's what makes the job safe

The removal of bacteria don't matter, the systems live rock in the display handle all filtration of ammonia

It's bacteria are not needed in a reef. Here's the exact job:

 

[brandon429]

Removing remote deep sand bed

I setup a removable deep sand bed in my sump 9 months ago but now I’d like to remove it to give me more room in the sump. What do you think the impact to tank chemistry might be and how to mitigate any negatives?

www.reef2reef.com

 

[brandon429]

You don't even have to replace it with anything, your system doesn't need the extra surface area which is why removing it instantly doesn't harm.

 

[Garf]

how to swap this major part of the biological filtration out without wreaking havoc?

Isolate, chuck in bin, would be my method

 

[Mike565]

Thank you for your suggestions! This is certainly easier than what I was imagining.

 

[brandon429]

These are the types of work jobs/ outcome prediction jobs where the contrast between old and new cycling science stands out

A mere 5 years ago there'd be a resounding set of posts from assessors saying the lost bacteria must be given time to reallocate to the rock surfaces by removing extra surface area in sections

The truth is the opposite

It makes me wonder what rules we follow now that are opposite of truth, people were rather sure of the truth five years ago I recall the battle threads

You'd have to have hardly any live rock in the display to make the removal dangerous. I've never seen a display reef running too little live rock to handle its bioload alone. If you disconnected it in a way as to cause clouding in the display that too is dangerous

 

[jda]

If you want to keep the dentrification, then you need another DSB. Live rock can do some of this, but not as much as a DSB. The rock works fine for normal nitrification.

If you decide on a live rock tank, so light is a good idea. Some of the microfauna will do better and spread more with light. You don't need a lot.

Just disconnect the current DSB and then clean it out of there. If your nitrates start to rise, then this is not havoc or quick, but you might need a plan down the road.