orb4me

2 or 3 inches of sand sounds like a awful lot of sand. Why do we need so much? Isnt it all going to be packed down on the bottom anyway?

I took a lot of gravel out of my fw tanks and now its a breeze to clean, nitrates stay low for over a week so far.

SW tanks are hard to learn.

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If all is not lost, where is it?

unclejed

The sand/substrate depth issue has been debated here before. Bottom (no pun intended) line, what ever you like is what you should do. I have no more than 1 1/2 in mine with some spots thinner, mainly in the back, that way I have a lot flow going in back of the rock and don't get a sand storm.

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"Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are even incapable of forming such opinions."
Albert Einstein

chadf

I prefer 4-6". Deep sand beds eliminate nitrates.

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My 90 gallon reef

Striped bristletooth tang, Coral beauty angelfish, Royal gramma, 2 Occelleris clownfish, Lyretail anthias, Tongue coral, Green frogspawn, Palythoa colony, Orange and green ricordeas, Green striped mushrooms, Crocea clam, About 40 snails of 11 different species, Sand sifting starfish, Emerald crab, 130 lbs live rock, 240 lbs live sand

unclejed

Another "blanket" statement. Deep sand beds do not necessarily eliminate nitrates. I am a member of this and another forum and people with deep beds are posting because the have nitrate problems. It can add to the anaerobic effect that brings down nitrates but stirring up the bed can lead to gas being released and cause nitrates.

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"Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are even incapable of forming such opinions."
Albert Einstein

orb4me

Now I got another question, I almost hate to ask, but what is a sand storm?


when the wind blows in sandy areas, the sand is picked up and blown..........

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If all is not lost, where is it?

las4444

Most reef tanks require some good powerful power heads to move water within the tank. The high volume power heads can blow sand all over the tank. So when planning a tank one must take this into consideration.

I agree with both the previous posters. A deep sand bed is only good for nitrate reduction if you leave it alone. If you are like me and always tinkering in the tank it is not a benefit.

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Tank: 75 Gallon Reef, 20 gallon wet/dry, Quiet1One 4000 pump, 250 watt heater, Milwaukee PH monitor, Coralife 125 skimmer, Coralife 260 watt light.

Fish: Golden Wrasse, Sailfin Tang, Convict Gobbie, Tomato Clown, and Foxface Rabbit, CCStar, BTA, Colt coral and a cleanup crew including a camel shrimp.

chadf

It's pretty much impossible to stir up 6" of sand jed unless you try to. I believe you are the one who belives 0 nitrates are impossible and I'm the one that hasn't registered any since my cycle. DSB eliminate nitrates and that's a fact.

__________________
My 90 gallon reef

Striped bristletooth tang, Coral beauty angelfish, Royal gramma, 2 Occelleris clownfish, Lyretail anthias, Tongue coral, Green frogspawn, Palythoa colony, Orange and green ricordeas, Green striped mushrooms, Crocea clam, About 40 snails of 11 different species, Sand sifting starfish, Emerald crab, 130 lbs live rock, 240 lbs live sand