Super deep sand bed in refugium: good or bad?

[SimplyVibing]

Upgraded from a 20 tall to a 50 tall. I will be adding new, crushed coral to the new display tank. Live sand from the 20 tall is going into my refugium, BUT the refugium is half the size (10 gallon)

I’m expecting about 4-5 inches of sand in the refugium. I’ve read that it can build up toxic stuff if too deep. Is it a good idea to have a deep sand bed? Could issues be offset by adding sand sifters and burrowing fish?

 

[mfinn]

Two things.

I don't like crushed coral in a display tank ( or anywhere unless it's a undergravel filter ).
IMO you should look at all the different types of sand that can be used.

Also, I don't care for anything except a macro algae in a refugium.
The macro will grow and actually act a detritus trap. There is nothing that can be done about that, but adding sand or rock to a refugium compounds that issue.
The filtering benefits to a deep sand bed in a refugium won't be enough just because of the small size to be worth it IMO.

 

[MichaelReefer]

Upgraded from a 20 tall to a 50 tall. I will be adding new, crushed coral to the new display tank. Live sand from the 20 tall is going into my refugium, BUT the refugium is half the size (10 gallon)

I’m expecting about 4-5 inches of sand in the refugium. I’ve read that it can build up toxic stuff if too deep. Is it a good idea to have a deep sand bed? Could issues be offset by adding sand sifters and burrowing fish?

I didn't use sand, just smashed up Live rock, into like silver dollar size pieces.

 

[SimplyVibing]

Two things.

I don't like crushed coral in a display tank ( or anywhere unless it's a undergravel filter ).
IMO you should look at all the different types of sand that can be used.

Also, I don't care for anything except a macro algae in a refugium.
The macro will grow and actually act a detritus trap. There is nothing that can be done about that, but adding sand or rock to a refugium compounds that issue.
The filtering benefits to a deep sand bed in a refugium won't be enough just because of the small size to be worth it IMO.

Just checked and I actually have the coralline gravel for the display tank. Idk why I was thinking crushed coral. I had some problems with the last tank with sand flying so I wanted to get away from that lol.

I’ve been told that there’s products with a ton of surface area that you can use instead. Might do that.

 

[SimplyVibing]

I didn't use sand, just smashed up Live rock, into like silver dollar size pieces.

Big baller over here.... I actually considered just getting beach sand and washing the hell out of it

 

[mfinn]

Big baller over here.... I actually considered just getting beach sand and washing the hell out of it

From the beach?

 

[SimplyVibing]

From the beach?

Yeah I live right off of Pensacola Beach. Really gorgeous white sand here. Needless to say I did not go through with it lol

 

[mfinn]

Just checked and I actually have the coralline gravel for the display tank. Idk why I was thinking crushed coral. I had some problems with the last tank with sand flying so I wanted to get away from that lol.

I’ve been told that there’s products with a ton of surface area that you can use instead. Might do that.

As long as it's not big and bulky like a crushed coral, as it tends to trap detritus.

I don't depend on sand as a bacteria colonizing area. I just use sand in my tanks for appearance.
I make sure there is enough live rock to colonize bacteria.

I'm sure people do take some sand from beaches. I think there are 2 issues. One you never know what kind of chemical has been spilled in the area that doesn't wash out.
Plus I figure it's probably not legal, but sounds like you know.

 

[MichaelReefer]

Big baller over here.... I actually considered just getting beach sand and washing the hell out of it

I will just say one thing. Wear safety glasses when you're smashing dry rock with a hammer. And, the stuff is A LOT harder than you would think.

 

[SimplyVibing]

As long as it's not big and bulky like a crushed coral, as it tends to trap detritus.

I don't depend on sand as a bacteria colonizing area. I just use sand in my tanks for appearance.
I make sure there is enough live rock to colonize bacteria.

I'm sure people do take some sand from beaches. I think there are 2 issues. One you never know what kind of chemical has been spilled in the area that doesn't wash out.
Plus I figure it's probably not legal, but sounds like you know.

As long as it’s not a protected area or a national park, it’s perfectly legal! Same with collecting sea water. This area got some oil during the BP oil spill several years back, but you can still sometimes find a tar ball if you go out deep enough. Plus this area occasionally gets Dino outbreaks. So not a wonderful place to collect sand/water unless you can dedicate to cleaning it extremely well

 

[SimplyVibing]

I will just say one thing. Wear safety glasses when you're smashing dry rock with a hammer. And, the stuff is A LOT harder than you would think.

Sounds about right. Can’t be as bad as smashing live rock though. I did that once and worms of all kinds crawled out. The smell is unbearable as well.

 

[ca1ore]

Lots of reefers have run deep sand beds; some have had issues with them. I run one in a remote tank so that I can easily take it off line should problems arise ..... though none have. Use nominally 6” of very fine, sugar sized, sand and you should be fine. Just don’t be stirring it around.

 

[SimplyVibing]

Lots of reefers have run deep sand beds; some have had issues with them. I run one in a remote tank so that I can easily take it off line should problems arise ..... though none have. Use nominally 6” of very fine, sugar sized, sand and you should be fine. Just don’t be stirring it around.

Sounds like a plan then! I’ve heard a deep sand bed takes care of nitrates no problem. Do you think I would have an issue if I added a sand sifting invert in there? Or would that be a good thing?

 

[ca1ore]

DSB will help to reduce nitrates. Whether it fully takes care of them depends on how much is being produced in the tank. I would not include sand sifters, particularly not a sand sifting star. Sifters sift for food, which means they are eating the micro fauna you want in the DSB.

 

[SimplyVibing]

DSB will help to reduce nitrates. Whether it fully takes care of them depends on how much is being produced in the tank. I would not include sand sifters, particularly not a sand sifting star. Sifters sift for food, which means they are eating the micro fauna you want in the DSB.

Wow, thanks for the knowledge! I’m kinda new to reefing (less than a year) and this is the first tank I’ve ever plumbed and the first refugium I’ve had. Thanks again!

 

[tamanning]

Lots of reefers have run deep sand beds; some have had issues with them. I run one in a remote tank so that I can easily take it off line should problems arise ..... though none have. Use nominally 6” of very fine, sugar sized, sand and you should be fine. Just don’t be stirring it around.

Mine is in my display and is sugar fine. You need to make sure you have the critters to keep it clean. mine has been running for 5 years now and I've not had problems other than it seems to be to clean.