About Sand Bed

[annienl]

Sand bed was important in SPS tank?
I have to rearranger a 1,000 liter tank for SPS.
Can tell me add the sand is good or bad? Maybe just add the sand to the sump tank is ok. Thankyou!

[cham]

[SeanT]

I'll say my opinion.
I believe that bare bottom tanks are much more easy to maintain and run, especially for SPS tanks, in that you have more "control" over the waters parameters.

Sean

[the_anti_honda]

Originally posted by cham

Couldn't agree with you more.

Research it for yourself and you decide what you like.

[NoSchwag]

A sand bed is nothing more than a filter that will be exhausted sooner or later. Some sand beds last for years before they need to be replaced.

If you do decide to go the sand bed route, be on the look out for hair algae coming from the rocks, and slowly receding acro's. If you notice either, replace the sand bed.

[bluetmax]

Just out of curiosity....All of my tanks have sand beds. I have considered going BB but I just like the look of the DSB better than the look of most BB tanks. If the sand is frequently stirred around via sand sifters, and by myself (in areas) would you say there is still a risk of its "filtering" capacity being exhausted? In addition to the DSB, my tnak is packed full of LR, has nine mangroves, uses a skimmer, and has carbon changed on a monthly basis. Does anyone have any links to more on this debate (those who are for and against having a DSB in a reef)?

[taekim78]

I have a sandbed on my sps dominated 180 G reef setup. Its a big pain... everytime I make adjustments with my flow, the sandbed gets disturbed and I get a red slime out break. Happens everytime..

[mr.maroonsalty]

My feeling is that few sandbeds are properly set up or maintained, mine are the same; I don't know how I could look at cutting boards for the many months it takes for them to be coraline covered. Good thing its not like naming a kid or deciding where a tree is being planted, though it may be easier to later add a bed than it is to remove it.

[antonsemrad]

Does anyone have any links

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=263482

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=419815

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=289910

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=118418

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...27#post4981127

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=643409

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=650985

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...08#post1506208

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=667949

There are more.... but this should keep you busy for awhile.

[stony_corals]

Bottom line, many have sand beds that have been running for 7+ years will no issue. The whole nutrient sink caused my tank to crash is a load of garbage. If this was the case, why don't reefs crash?!? They have massive amounts of sand....

[kirstenk]

Originally posted by annienl
Sand bed was important in SPS tank?
I have to rearranger a 1,000 liter tank for SPS.
Can tell me add the sand is good or bad? Maybe just add the sand to the sump tank is ok. Thankyou!

A sand bed in the sump is a good alternative to the main tank. It can be changed out if needed. If you don't like the look of bare bottom then you should go with sand.

Both methods work.