Deep Sand Beds and Clean Up Crews

The Flying Turkey · Feb 16, 2014

Hi all!

I am starting my first reef aquarium and I am constantly reading and learning. My latest question is multi-faceted.

I am starting a 50 gallon rimless cube with a 20 gallon sump.

I am considering a DSB.

1) Is a DSB in the display tank a good idea? (Very general question I know)
2) Is 3" deep enough for a DSB? (I don't want to lose too much space)
3) The purpose for a DSB is to promote the growth of all of those beneficial critters, but I don't want fish and the clean up crew to eat all of them. What should I avoid putting in my tank to maintain a live DSB? (I was considering buying a CUC package from: Reef Cleaners| Clean up Crews and Macroalgae)
4) Should I put the DSB in the refugium in my sump? The refugium measures 5" wide x 16" long. Is this a large enough area for an effective DSB?
5) Can you have an effective DSB without a plenum?

I know its a complex issue, I just need some guidance.

Thanks!

Mike J. · Feb 16, 2014

1. very good idea.
2. 3" is minimum, 4" would be better. Aragonite sand dissolves and has a half life of about 18 months and you'll be adding more later to keep it functional.
3. I wouldn't worry about the clean up crew too much.
4. That small wouldn't have much affect.
5. There have been studies done that reveal there isn't any difference. Plenums are a thing of the past.

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/re...-deep-sand-bed-vs-shallow-sand-bed-3.html#top

Dalmatia · Feb 17, 2014

For a good sifter, go with an engineer goby! They won't steal corals like pistol shrimp and prob do more work anyways

The Flying Turkey · Feb 17, 2014

Mike J. said:
1. very good idea.
2. 3" is minimum, 4" would be better. Aragonite sand dissolves and has a half life of about 18 months and you'll be adding more later to keep it functional.
3. I wouldn't worry about the clean up crew too much.
4. That small wouldn't have much affect.
5. There have been studies done that reveal there isn't any difference. Plenums are a thing of the past.

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/re...-deep-sand-bed-vs-shallow-sand-bed-3.html#top

Thanks for the info!

As a follow up to your response about the clean up crew, by "don't worry" do you mean I don't need a clean up crew with a DSB, or don't worry about the clean up crew consuming all the beneficial life in the DSB?

Mike J. · Feb 17, 2014

Don't worry about the CUC damaging the sand bed. Don't get Sand Sifting Sea Stars or maybe a couple other veracious sand bed fauna predators, but most everything else is okay and wanted. I've even got an Olive. They must live for a long time 'cuz its been in there for over nine years.

The Flying Turkey · Feb 17, 2014

Mike J. said:
Don't worry about the CUC damaging the sand bed. Don't get Sand Sifting Sea Stars or maybe a couple other veracious sand bed fauna predators, but most everything else is okay and wanted. I've even got an Olive. They must live for a long time 'cuz its been in there for over nine years.

OK sounds good. Are brittle stars good to have?

Mike J. · Feb 17, 2014

Brittle Stars are fine, except the big green ones. A whole bunch of Mini Brittle Stars even better.

Dalmatia · Feb 18, 2014

Mike J. said:
Brittle Stars are fine, except the big green ones. A whole bunch of Mini Brittle Stars even better.

Just curious but why are big green ones bad? I have a big purple one maybe about 8" in diameter, seems good? Are the green ons bad or??

Eienna · Feb 18, 2014

Dalmatia said:
Just curious but why are big green ones bad? I have a big purple one maybe about 8" in diameter, seems good? Are the green ons bad or??

Any big brittle stars can become a bit predatory, but the greens are generally the worst in this respect.

Reefing Madness · Feb 18, 2014

As long as your fish are a good size the Brittle Star can't catch them. On another note, you will never see them either, they hide constantly. I have one, he only comes out when its feeding time.

Mike J. · Feb 18, 2014

Very true. I've had a black and white one for 9 years. It has left it's hole in the rock only a couple times. The LFS that I bought it from said they had it for two years. I purchased the rock that it was in in order to buy it. I wonder how long they live?

Bry · Feb 18, 2014

Like fish they are all different. I have 2 in my 75g I see all the time.. Kind of light brown with black markings been there and active for almost 2 years. We put an identical 3rd one in my daughters 125g and we thought it died for almost 6 months.. One day she came and grabbed me all excited to come look because he had come out. He still rarely comes out but still there.

Dalmatia · Feb 18, 2014

Ya mine is all over the place. He's so cool,, he just looks like a big???,?, aaaa big don't know? Maybe kinda like a squid? I don't know he's all wacked and all you really see is his arms everywhere! I'll get a pic when I get home

The Flying Turkey · Feb 19, 2014

My 50 gallon cube is 24x24" square and 20" tall. I'm just hesitant about putting 4" of sand in there. I'm afraid it might look funny with so much sand.