Marine Depot Forums / TEAM Marine Depot / Invertebrates; Morphology, Ecology, and Behavior – by Dr. Ron Shimek / DSB Scrutiny / Latest Posts

RE: DSB Scrutiny

Ron Shimek — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 08:57:20 GMT

Hi,

Remember when you set it up, you can always post questions here.

RE: DSB Scrutiny

Brackish Dude — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 16:50:59 GMT

Well put Dr. Shimek. When I set up my tank I will certainly use the DSB method

RE: DSB Scrutiny

Ron Shimek — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 09:49:30 GMT

Hi,

You asked, "Why do you think there is so much animosity from people (in particular the people with SPS systems) in regards to Deep Sand Beds?"

I think there is one basic reason.

A lot of these people appear incapable of maintaining a "biological" system. Their idea of "reef" tank is basically a mechanical arrangement. This might work well to maintain some corals or not, but it is done mechanically and chemically. Such people have no real way to relate to or understanding of the animals or the interactions occurring in their systems. To them a tank is effectively an art object. To maintain a sand bed, one must be aware of the biological interactions occurring in the system, and be able to deal with them. If one can't do that, then the simple maintenance necessary for a sand bed is beyond their capability.

Additionally, the history of this hobby is one of a series of fads. Everybody is searching for THE WAY, "the one true faith" of the reef hobby gods. To a person basically ignorant of biology, a simple sand bed sounds pretty inviting - hearing that one can keep some pretty corals just by adding a layer of sand to a tank (and calling it a sand bed). They presume it will cure all ills. Such sand beds are not set up with appropriate sediments or they are poorly - or not at all - maintained, and there is not attempt at understanding what is going on in them. When a crash comes - from whatever reason - it is always the sand bed that is the cause, "of course"...

When such people have their tank fail, they have to blame it on something. Looking for the cause in a mirror is not their way...

DSB Scrutiny

Brackish Dude — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 09:20:51 GMT

Hello Dr. Shimek,

I have been hanging around the SPS forum on RC for a while, the usual debates pop up like which "skimmer to use" or "why aren't I getting any color?". When the debate over Deep Sand Beds come over the general consensus is split, some say they love their Deep Sand Bed, others say they hated it and removed it.

Why do you think there is so much animosity from people (in particular the people with SPS systems) in regards to Deep Sand Beds?

I have no personal experience with them, but from your articles I have read they seem like a very important part of a tank's system.