What to expect after removing a remote DSB?

[rmchoi]

I'm considering converting the 40G DSB into a frag tank, but concerned about the effects of removing the DSB, particularly with the SPS corals.

My current system is:
75G SPS display with sump,
a remote 20G refugium for cheato,
and a remote 40G deep sand bed refugium.
Total 125G water in system.

I run a calcium reactor.
I only add potassium nitrate occasionally to bring the nitrates up - that's it.
A 15-20% water change is done weekly.

My parameters are :
Alk 9
Calc 480
Mag 1400
Phos .03-.08
Nitrate 5-7 ( I dose occasionally to keep it at this level)

Started 2 years ago, the remote DSB is 6" deep, semi-cryptic (very little light) and the sides of the bed look healthy (no dark spots). I can easily isolate the 40G and remove the DSB, without disturbing the rest of the system.

Maintaining stability, has kept me from doing this several times over. I am willing to forgo the frag tank there is too much risk of losing corals.

What can I expect after removing the remote DSB?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Best guess is you may see no change at all. I removed my deep sand because I didn’t think it was doing anything useful.

 

[rmchoi]

Randy, I am remiss for taking this long to circle back. You were right! I remove the deep sand base and saw no change at all. I was under the impression the deep sand bed was taking up nitrates, but apparently it was not that significant.

I did convert the 40 breeder to a frag tank for a couple months. Once I realized I created another tank to maintain, I converted it again to a mangrove tank. Once the mangrove established itself, I noticed skim dropped to nothing.



Thanks for the advice!

 

[hart24601]

Always nice to see updates! Thank you for that!