Mechanical Denitrification or Deep Sand bed?
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Labridaedicted
Wrassetastic
I've always preferred a deep sand bed, myself. One of my reef keeping buddies swears on his sulfur denitrator, though. Both seem to be very effective.
I also over skim like crazy and do weekly 25 percent changes, so those probably help with the nitrates more than the sand bed.
I also over skim like crazy and do weekly 25 percent changes, so those probably help with the nitrates more than the sand bed.
reeferfoxx
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Unless your tank inhabitants requires a deep sand bed, I've always read to avoid them. Mostly because they become traps for detritus and toxic gases. Which if released can harm the rest of the tank.
Labridaedicted
Wrassetastic
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/pros-vs-cons-deep-sand-bed-vs-shallow-sand-bed.87740/
Here's a thread easing the pros and cons of sand beds I found on here.
I've had my 90 gal. saltwater tank for 12 years and have always had at least a 4 in. deep sand bed in the DT. I recently upgraded to a 120 gal and plan on using my old 90 for a refugium/sump tank. In the beginning I had a few mushroom coals here and there but pretty much only fish, inverts, rock, and sand. I want to move into the "reef life" now and I'm reading everything I can get my hands on. I'm finding out, after 12 years, there's many many new options and improved tactics. So, wondering if I should keep my deep sand bed or change to something else. My goal.... create a reef ecosystem that requires minimal water changes, or reduced tedious care. I've seen several threads here on tanks that have not had water changes for years. Not convinced that, that route is my total goal yet (I'm a die hard water changer) but I think I can minimize or tweak my maintenance somewhat with a few updates to my system. I thought starting with the denitrification was as good a place as any to start. SO, any pointers in that direction would be helpful.
I would look at the tanks of the real Pro's. Joshi, Farley, Riddle, Melev, Planette,etc, and yes Paul B.
Although each is aimed at specific livestock there are common threads to all of their builds.
Although each is aimed at specific livestock there are common threads to all of their builds.
greg 45
Active Member
I run a huge Aquarium Engineering 8" Sulfur Denitrifier on a 1200 gallon system I feed heavy . I don't keep the system at zero nitrates even though You can. System is anemones and sps. I had run a deep sand bed and what a mess that turns into .
john.m.cole3
cyclOps
12 years! that's incredible dedication! Have you upgraded your tank yet? If not, you are at the perfect phase of becoming a reefer! Growing corals is much more exciting to me than keeping fish b/c it is quite the challenge. Make a plan... what kind of coral would you like to keep? Personally, I find the softies easier to keep water quality wise. LPS is a good middle ground. Most SPS require more strict conditions. Oversize your skimmer, use plenty of live rock or marine pure media for your bio filter, and buy the best light you can afford that has a built in timer and is programmable (I use an ATI dimmable fixture).
Keep researching as it will never end. A 120 is a great sized tank to aquascape and maintain. The Triton method is used to minimize water changes for example, so you may want to look into that. Go slow. Join a local reef club. Neighbors tend to be very friendly. Go slow. One can run a reef tank in various ways. Too much change too fst is bad in a reef tank. Go slow. @Wiz is a nice guy who is also an advocate for DSBs that I can spout off the top of my head. @saltyfilmfolks knows his stuff and I trust his knowledge as well. You are in the right place. Keep posting and sharing when you suxxeed or fail. We will lift you back up! This is my reefing family and I'm glad it is yours also
Wiz
2500 Club Member
I like to run a large refugium with a 6" dsb. I followed the common sense construction of ron shimek. And in the year and a half I've been running it it has preformed perfectly. Even ran the "deadspot" test. Disconnected the dual reactor a month after installation. Nitrate and phos are always very low to undetectable. I grow many types of macro and have a serious macrofauna population. I love the fuge almost as much as the display. 
Just moved my system. The day I set it up it was muddy and gross. Two days later I test and I'm near perfect. If done right a dsb is awesome. Imo ;-)
Just moved my system. The day I set it up it was muddy and gross. Two days later I test and I'm near perfect. If done right a dsb is awesome. Imo ;-)
john.m.cole3
cyclOps
Dude, I've been wondering how the move went?!?! I'm so happy to hear this. Display refugiumn will be order when we buy a house. Good to hear from you!I like to run a large refugium with a 6" dsb. I followed the common sense construction of ron shimek. And in the year and a half I've been running it it has preformed perfectly. Even ran the "deadspot" test. Disconnected the dual reactor a month after installation. Nitrate and phos are always very low to undetectable. I grow many types of macro and have a serious macrofauna population. I love the fuge almost as much as the display.
Just moved my system. The day I set it up it was muddy and gross. Two days later I test and I'm near perfect. If done right a dsb is awesome. Imo ;-)
AcanSkywalker
Active Member
Natureef Denitrifier
Many people have been asking me about this new product I started using a few months ago. I don't have the time to do an in depth review, but I can tell you the initial results have been fantastic. The system was developed by Adolph Klostermann back in the 80's and is used throughout Florida as that is where the company is based. Its a bacterial based reactor that treats 20 gallons at a time, 3 times a day.
I met a frag farmer at this past Macna and was just amazed at the quality of his Acro frags, to the point where Mnat and I pretty much purchased every type he had. I asked him about his reefing practices and he told me about this Natureef product. Most amazing part is that he had not done a water change in 2 years. There is more info on the link below. Please post any questions here and I will answer them when I can. thanks!
http://natureef.com/products/denitrifiers/
Many people have been asking me about this new product I started using a few months ago. I don't have the time to do an in depth review, but I can tell you the initial results have been fantastic. The system was developed by Adolph Klostermann back in the 80's and is used throughout Florida as that is where the company is based. Its a bacterial based reactor that treats 20 gallons at a time, 3 times a day.
I met a frag farmer at this past Macna and was just amazed at the quality of his Acro frags, to the point where Mnat and I pretty much purchased every type he had. I asked him about his reefing practices and he told me about this Natureef product. Most amazing part is that he had not done a water change in 2 years. There is more info on the link below. Please post any questions here and I will answer them when I can. thanks!
http://natureef.com/products/denitrifiers/
AcanSkywalker
Active Member
Check out this Thomas Brown video featuring a Natureef run tank:
https://m.youtube.com/watchfeature=youtu.be&v=eGUvGIeRQtU
https://m.youtube.com/watchfeature=youtu.be&v=eGUvGIeRQtU
AcanSkywalker
Active Member
Wiz
2500 Club Member
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/moving-my-beautiful-reef.260480/
Hey buddy, ive got a thread goin.
Hey buddy, ive got a thread goin.
AcanSkywalker
Active Member
Sorry Wiz! Somehow I posted in the wrong thread.
I have a 75 gallon display with 16 fish and a mixed reef. I run a 27 gallon refuge with macro algea and I have not done a water change in a little over 4 years. I went to great lengths to make sure I have the worms snails pods and crabs to keep my sand bed clean. but so far doing well my nitrate and phosphate are undetectable by standard testing.I like to run a large refugium with a 6" dsb. I followed the common sense construction of ron shimek. And in the year and a half I've been running it it has preformed perfectly. Even ran the "deadspot" test. Disconnected the dual reactor a month after installation. Nitrate and phos are always very low to undetectable. I grow many types of macro and have a serious macrofauna population. I love the fuge almost as much as the display.
Just moved my system. The day I set it up it was muddy and gross. Two days later I test and I'm near perfect. If done right a dsb is awesome. Imo ;-)
