aqua-ed Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 So, I have a DSB in my refugium/ sump (working great to keep down the nitrates(clap)). The problem is, the DSB portion of the refugium is only about 4 gals with the baffles and all. What is a good sand sifter to put in there? A cuke will probably be to big, a goby will swim out, snails climb over the baffles, and stars eat all the goodies. Is there anything else? What does everyone else use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 I'm not a DSB expert, but I thought you *don't* want anything too big messing up the DSB... just whatever microfauna ends up populating the bed... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dstoneburg Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 Andy is correct, a sand sifter is the last thing you want in a DSB. They deplete the DSB of microfauna making it pointless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aqua-ed Posted January 18, 2008 Author Share Posted January 18, 2008 What about the nitrous gases that build up in the bed without one? Those will kill the fauna eventually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
defigart Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 If I am not mistaken, the Nitrogen will bubble out, and the microfauna that live in a Deep Sand Bed (DSB), are used thrive in a oxygen deprived state, (anaroebic). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 Yeah, as I understand it the DSB will stratify and critters will naturally go to the layers they find comfortable -- anaerobic bacteria all the way at the bottom, aerobic bacteria in the middle, and larger animals on top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aqua-ed Posted January 18, 2008 Author Share Posted January 18, 2008 I don't have any "larger" critchers in my sand bed, that is what I am wondering. Do I need some decent micro inverts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 A couple of cups of live sand would be a good idea, that'll get things started. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dstoneburg Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 If its an established system its no doubt already seeded and live, especially if its keeping his nitrates down, so no need to really add more LS. You could add a few nassarius snails to the mix, should keep the top portion of your DSB clean and clear. Anything more then that and I would just ditch the DSB because it would be useless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 Yeah, and *don't* get a pistol shrimp... those guys move more earth than a bulldozer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectra Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 Yeah' date=' and *don't* get a pistol shrimp... those guys move more earth than a bulldozer. I dont know about that have you had a Diamond Goby yet(laugh) I think there is a CAT emblem on the side of mine(whistle) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 LOL, let me post up some pictures of the excavation that used to be my son's nano. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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