DSB in Brood stock system

melsteve · #1 09/11/2003, 08:45 PM

I currently run my brood stock tanks bare apart from thier flower pots and vacum twice a week and go thru around 200litres of water at a time the amount of water is genrally not an issue but if I put a DSB of say 3 inch in each tank would the benfits of DSB out weigh not having one ie food and detruis not accumalting and not having to spent as much trime cleaning and less water being used.
Any thoughts appreciated
Regards Steve

JHardman · #2 09/11/2003, 10:51 PM

Hi Steve...

Well having a DSB... I have a DSB in my 48" tanks and a sallow sand bed in my short tanks. Why? To help with the filtration of the system and to keep nitrates near 0ppm. So far so good. I also think the pairs like to play with the sand too, they dig enough.

So I guess you have to ask yourself what you goals would be with having a DSB (4"-6")? If it is to save on water then there are easier ways, i.e. a filter soak on the siphon hose. You will also have to siphon from time to time either way.

So what is your goal(s)?

melsteve · #3 09/12/2003, 01:00 AM

I suppose my goal is to improve filteration and I am a great believer in DSBs they have always worked for me,
but mainly to reduce the amount of time I spend cleaning the tanks along with fulltime work commitments which is getting worse, a young family, etc any thing that can reduce maintaince time is a help.
Steve

JHardman · #4 09/12/2003, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by melsteve
I suppose my goal is to improve filteration and I am a great believer in DSBs they have always worked for me,
but mainly to reduce the amount of time I spend cleaning the tanks along with fulltime work commitments which is getting worse, a young family, etc any thing that can reduce maintaince time is a help.
Steve

If you have a clean up crew that will actually keep up without becoming egg preditors, then you are going to save time. I am pretty happy I went with a DSB this time around. But on the other hand I changed up on the new grow out system and went bare bottom.

kris4647 · #5 09/12/2003, 01:10 AM

John

Have you ever tried a remote bed? Basically a Rubbermaid Plumbed with bulkheads and filled with sand. [6"-8"]. This is my new project. All breeding tanks plumbed to a common sump with micron filter bag. With a DSB plumbed in a closed loop to the sump?

Might alleviate some of the worries about difficult detritus removal etc. ?