Deep sand bed + sand sifters =?
- Thread starter LittleRed
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mcarroll
10K Club member
It really depends what you mean by DSB and what your expectations are.
Microbes are what you want to favor in this DSB environment if nutrient reduction is a primary goal, and I think any sand sifters you are likely to select will churn a much larger area of sand bed much more frequently than you'd want for a fully-effective Jaubert-style DSB. (Or even a Leng Sy-style sandbed.)
It's conceivable you could make up for their increased disturbance rate by increasing sand depth…but that's just an idea.
Some minor disturbances are required, but nothing bigger than the worms/bugs living in and on your sand are required for that.
However, with DSB's there are other considerations you may end up giving greater weight to, such as locating it outside the large-animal display to avoid fouling, installing it with a mind toward remove-ability in the event it should become fouled, etc.
$0.02!
Microbes are what you want to favor in this DSB environment if nutrient reduction is a primary goal, and I think any sand sifters you are likely to select will churn a much larger area of sand bed much more frequently than you'd want for a fully-effective Jaubert-style DSB. (Or even a Leng Sy-style sandbed.)
It's conceivable you could make up for their increased disturbance rate by increasing sand depth…but that's just an idea.
Some minor disturbances are required, but nothing bigger than the worms/bugs living in and on your sand are required for that.
However, with DSB's there are other considerations you may end up giving greater weight to, such as locating it outside the large-animal display to avoid fouling, installing it with a mind toward remove-ability in the event it should become fouled, etc.
$0.02!
DaveMorris
MACNA2016 Co-Chair
Sand sifters and stirrers are necessary for a healthy sandbed. Dr. Ron Shimek has published a lot on the benefits of lots of different critters in a sandbed to keep it healthy and happy. I do agree that too much disturbance can be detrimental, but the smaller creatures will help keep the sand from clumping and becoming a problem.
