Sand depth

[FITZ7]

Hello everyone, I've been out of the hobby for a quite a few years and decided to get back into it with a 14 peninsula IM tank. I put 20 pounds of sand in the tank to see where that would get me and it seems to be roughly 4-5". I'm thinking this may be too shallow to be helpful and deep enough to cause problems later. Basically I'm wondering if I should take some sand out or when the tank is finished cycling just get some good sand sifters. Maybe it isn't a problem at all and I'm just over thinking it. Thanks for reading!

 

[kkeller416]

I think a deep sand bed in such a small tank will give you trouble down the road...because you'll need sandsifters but I don't think the tank is big enough for them to eat and survive on what you have.
If it were mine I would take some out to give 1-2 inch depth..easy to vacuum and clean.
Enjoy.

 

[jsker]

Welcome to R2R and back the Reefing. There are several opinions about depth of the substrate. There are some that like the bare bottom low nutrient systems, I went with the 1 inch just for looks substratight. @kkeller416 has a point. Lets see what the #reefsquash has to say

 

[mjlash22]

I think a deep sand bed in such a small tank will give you trouble down the road...because you'll need sandsifters but I don't think the tank is big enough for them to eat and survive on what you have.
If it were mine I would take some out to give 1-2 inch depth..easy to vacuum and clean.
Enjoy.

+1 I like anywhere from 1.5-2".

 

[FITZ7]

Thanks for the reply's! I took about half of it out, may take a little bit more tomorrow when it settles down. It looks much better and hopefully will preform better too.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Here’s a small tank with a fair amount of sand.

http://jaubert-microcean.com/BEST_MICROCEAN_UK/Welcome.html

Guy knows a thing or two.

 

[FITZ7]

Yeah, I've heard of deeper sand beds working regardless of tank size. I'd just prefer to keep it simple and give myself the best chance to have a healthy tank. Probably going to take it down to about 2" for peace of mind.

 

[PatW]

The benefit of deep sand beds is that they provide an anaerobic environment. Bacteria that take nitrates to nitrogen gas are anaerobic. A deep sand bed can serve as a way to reduce nitrates.

Personally, I think there are more convenient ways to control nitrates: carbon dosing or macroalgae in a refugium.