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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 9/26/2006 6:20:31 AM
Posts: 3,
Visits: 19
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| I have a 380 gallon total system volume setup that I would like to add a RDSB to help keep my nitrates in check. Obviously a 5 gallon bucket is not going to enough. I know it is best to have the greatest amount of surface area, but is there any limit as to the height of the sand or the container? I have heard it will increase the time that the DSB would be effective, but is there "maximum" hieght needed or recomended for the sand in a larger system? Any formula (rule of thumb) or recomendation as to total system volume vs. surface area needed to be effective? I have the space either way, but I don't want to have a 20" sand bed that doesn't have enough surface area to really do its job. Thanks.
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Group: Moderators
Last Login: 11/19/2009 1:09:50 PM
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| I must say that I'm not really sold on the (need for great) surface area argument for RDSBs. Public aquariums and aquarists with large tanks have been using plastic kitchen trash cans--->55gall drums as RDSB vessels more than low and long ones. They work just fine. Various public aquaria and even corals farms have used over 24" of sand in display and/or RDSB. No problem. Frankly... if it were my tank, I'd use a tall barrel and not give it a second thought. In bigger cities you can get free or cheap barrels in the wholesale food district (they get trucks full of them each weak with olives, peppers, etc for repackaging)
. Anthony Calfo
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 9/26/2006 6:20:31 AM
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Visits: 19
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| Thanks, that's actually what I was hoping for. I have some of the food grade garbage cans that I use one for water changes and another I have been cooking some rock in. The rock is all done, so I now have an extra one I was hoping to use. I have some fine aragonite sand I took out of a fuge on a tank I took down about a year ago. It has just been sitting in a bucket since then. Do you think it would safe to use? Should I rinse it? I have about 2 five gallon buckets worth so it would only be a small percentage of the sand in the DSB.
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Group: Moderators
Last Login: 11/19/2009 1:09:50 PM
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| no worries that it was sitting... and yes, please do giveit a rinse (only because it was used. Else I never wash fresh/new). My only concern is if this sand had been neglected beofre it was taken down/stored? If the refugium had poor water flow and sunk excessive nutrients in it... replace the sand. Its cheap enough. Or cook it (seriously). I'd just buy new if it were mine FWIW
. Anthony Calfo
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 9/26/2006 6:20:31 AM
Posts: 3,
Visits: 19
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| Sounds good. Thank you very much for your help.
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