Eliminating the DSB

[ReeferRob]

Hey guys and gals I'll be eliminating the DSB in my fug to accomodate my new larger skimmer.

What should I be aware of? Percautions, does don't, steps, expectations etc.

Please and thanks ahead of time!

 

[nater]

nitrates locked up in the bed might escape when you disturb it , but if it's in your fuge you can just cut the return pump take out the water so it is down to the dsb, and then just scoop it out.

 

[nater]

i am going to be doing the same thing in my tank , but i am building an above the tank refuge with cheato and dsb. using the sand from my refuge in that as well. good luck

 

[AZDesertRat]

Before you reuse the sand, clean it well and let it dry out. Disturbing it will expose the anaerobic bacteria causing toxic conditions. You don't want to use it again until you kill the bacteria and then let the process start all over again. You can't just scoop it out and reuse it since the different bacteria live at different levels or stratas in the sand.

 

[ReeferRob]

Before you reuse the sand, clean it well and let it dry out. Disturbing it will expose the anaerobic bacteria causing toxic conditions. You don't want to use it again until you kill the bacteria and then let the process start all over again. You can't just scoop it out and reuse it since the different bacteria live at different levels or stratas in the sand.

Great point thanks for the info.

But for my case I am eliminating a DSB chamber in my fuge that is about 9.5x12x5 inches deep of fine sugar sand so that I can upgrade to a more efficient skimmer.
Current skimmer chamber is too restrictive so I am rearranging chambers.

Also when I do it I can cut off the circulation and drain the water and remove the sand, clean it up real nice. It will be just like doing a water change but with out a few things.
Im hoping this will work and not throw the tank off balance too much?

 

[Ike]

Great point thanks for the info.

But for my case I am eliminating a DSB chamber in my fuge that is about 9.5x12x5 inches deep of fine sugar sand so that I can upgrade to a more efficient skimmer.
Current skimmer chamber is too restrictive so I am rearranging chambers.

Also when I do it I can cut off the circulation and drain the water and remove the sand, clean it up real nice. It will be just like doing a water change but with out a few things.
Im hoping this will work and not throw the tank off balance too much?

It should work just fine and I think that's the best way to go.

 

[ca2or]

I was going to do something similar soon. I wanted to move my sand...well...a majority of it into my fug. Does all this apply there too?

 

[Ike]

I was going to do something similar soon. I wanted to move my sand...well...a majority of it into my fug. Does all this apply there too?

That's much more messy and not something I would ever attempt.

 

[ca2or]

bummer. Tank has only been going for about 4 months though....how bad could it be?

 

[Ike]

MIght create a mini cycle and a mess, but in the long run you'd probably be fine.

 

[ca2or]

what about if I only do a little at a time....like a cup at a time. And where in my fug should it go? Like what chamber?

 

[Ike]

what about if I only do a little at a time....like a cup at a time. And where in my fug should it go? Like what chamber?

I don't like sand in the refugium, at least not a deep sandbed...

 

[ReeferRob]

Anyone have any idea what I might expect to happen or not happen when I eliminate my chaeto bundle and DSB?

 

[bfessler]

If you eliminate your DSB and Macro Algae you will be removing 2 major sources of nitrate/phosphate reduction in your tank. The skimmer will not remove nitrates or phosphates so you will have to plan for alternative ways of reducing these nutrients. My experience is that a well maintained DSB and Macro will do more for your water quality than a better skimmer. Something to consider when planning changes to your filtration.

Also the DSB and Macro are a great breeding place for Pods and other critters that feed your display.

Do you have a DSB in the display? If so it will help. I frequently stir the sand in my DSB to keep it healthy and provide a treat for the corals and fish. Weekly I blast all the edges of my DSB with a turkey baster in the display because I don't like the look of building debris at the glass, then I also blast 1/4 of the rest of the sand weekly so that the entire sand bed is cleaned monthly. The corals love the extra food released int the water and sponges do especially well. You can almost watch them grow after a treatment. While the water is very cloudy within 1 hour it is crystal clear.

If you haven't tried this before I highly recommend it but if your DSB is well established I would go slow cleaning only about 1/8 to 1/16 of the sand bed and gradually increase it. The anaerobic bacteria will continue to populate the lower portions of the DSB but toxic byproducts will be reduced in the sand bed.

I have moved entire tanks that have been treated in this manner without loosing any livestock. I just drain the tank and put the livestock in buckets then scoop out the sand and move it to the new tank, then I fill the new tank 1/2 way with the old water and let the dust settle. Next I add the coral and rock and top it off with newly mixed salt water and run the filters for 1 hour then acclimate the fish and the move is complete. I haven't lost a fish or coral using this method.

Bottom line is if you maintain your sand bed well it isn't all that toxic. You could rinse the sand in either the old saltwater or some freshly made saltwater as an extra precaution but I usually just stir it well in the water left in the display and scoop it out.

Burt

 

[Ike]

If you eliminate your DSB and Macro Algae you will be removing 2 major sources of nitrate/phosphate reduction in your tank. The skimmer will not remove nitrates or phosphates so you will have to plan for alternative ways of reducing these nutrients. My experience is that a well maintained DSB and Macro will do more for your water quality than a better skimmer. Something to consider when planning changes to your filtration.

While a protein skimmer may not remove nitrate it removes things that would otherwise break down into nitrate. With a proper protein skimmer and a good amount of live rock it's pretty easy to maintain undetectable levels of nitrates IME. Chaetomorpha is nice and I use it, but I find deep sandbeds to be unnecessary.

 

[ReeferRob]

While a protein skimmer may not remove nitrate it removes things that would otherwise break down into nitrate. With a proper protein skimmer and a good amount of live rock it's pretty easy to maintain undetectable levels of nitrates IME. Chaetomorpha is nice and I use it, but I find deep sandbeds to be unnecessary.

Agreed, that is one of the major reasons to upgrade my current skimmer to a more efficient one is to do just that.
I also have 4 of natures protein skimmers in the tank and hope to add a few more soon. (Clams!)

And to answer the questions above, I do have a DSB in the DT just eliminating the one in the sump so that I can cut and move baffels. May add another one back when completed but much smaller.

I have also had a chaeto bundle in all my tanks, I do hope to be able to maintain some on some level with this tank once the upgrade is completed.

 

[stunreefer Verified Sponsor]

Anyone have any idea what I might expect to happen or not happen when I eliminate my chaeto bundle and DSB?

As mentioned Rob you're eliminating two nutient reducing filtration means from your system. Just be mindful that you're doing that, feed a bit on the light side at first and do not add any new livestock for a couple weeks.

I would remove all of the water out of sump and replace with fresh SW, just like a water change. Also ensure you have plenty of fresh SW mixed up "just in case", but honestly I think you'll be just fine.

Are you adding chaetomorph back in after the swap? Skimmers will remove DOC's (dissolved orgainc carbons) prior to them breaking down into NO3 and PO4 which is what fuels algae growth, but it is a nice to have additional means of nutrient export.

 

[benny z]

keep the dsb and add an external/recirc skimmer.

imho