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It's not a DSB unless it's at least 5".

Depending on the size of your tank, the grade of your sand and your own personal preference is how you should choose the substrate.

Personally, if I was using crushed coral I would go no deeper than 2".

If I was using a fine sand, I would go no deeper than 1 1/2".

Or, If I was using a regular size reef sand, I'd go no deeper than 3".

These aren't rules, so I don't want to give the impression that they are. These are my personal preferences from doing a lot of reading on substrate depths, etc. Really, I would do what's pleasing to your eye.

-Justin

With a deeper sand bed like the "old timers" use/d crashes were pretty common. With the new theory of 3 inch sand beds and alot of critters stirring the sand bed then it greatly lowers the chance of a crash......

No matter how you set your tank up it does have drawbacks...whether its a shallow sand bed, CC, or BB.

I know, I always go against DSBs.

The risk of having one, and the potential problems creating this risk, seem to out-weigh the pros of even putting a DSB in mine or any other tank.

The cyanobacteria battles, the smells, the dreaded DSB crash, the fact that any burrowing animals or siphon vaccuming negate the denitrification effect, or that housing animals like sandsifting stars destroys the microfauna contained within.

Besides, even the great Dr. Ron's DSB crashed.

The best comparison of a DSB I have ever read goes like this: DSBs are like a sponge. As with any sponge, once they become full, they will release their contents.

I'm not pointing any fingers at the people with a DSB. I know that people probabaly think a shallow sand bed is not so great.

So, no offense anyone .

-Justin

According to Shimek, Borneman, Calfo, etc......3 inches of sugar fine sand is all that is needed for a DSB to be effective.

A DSB is not a waste if done right. At about 2" you get bacteria that will convert nitrates to nitrigen, which then forms bubbles and floats to the top of the tank and is gone, so no nitrate build up.



Dan

A waste? They are beneficial to pretty much any tank. How are they in any way "a waste"?

DSBs are a waste anyway.

Apparently I am not completely up to date on my DSB reading, but I will always consider it deep when it's hitting 5"+. At 3", it's just a thick sand bed.

Unless you have a certain animal that requires a deeper sand bed (jawfish, etc.), I personally thing anything more than 2" is a waste of space. The sand bed in my tank right now is about .75".

I use about 4.5 inches for my DSB. Yes it is more than I need but sand will deteriorate over time.

Read the latest article about DSB in the reef keeping mag. It clearly says 2 to 3 inches, no more. Any more then that is simply a waste of space.

Dan

i am starting a marine aquarium and i was just wondering what is better to use sand or gravel

3-4" is even better IMO for a DSB.

Between 2 and 3 inches. I have an average of 2 inches and it's converting nitrates to nitrigen in a big way. Lots of bubbles.



Dan

I'd even look into getting a DSB.

How deep should the DSB be?

You don't have to clean sand.

How do you clean the sand if you dont have an undergravel filter?

I've got both sand and crushed coral in my tanks, and I'd say the sand is my favorite of the two.. It looks good and has the potential of being extremely beneficial to the tank..

Good Luck deciding..

Both will work, but it's not really gravel, it's crushed coral. For that will need to vac it from time to time. If you use sand and go about 2 inches deep, it will help in the removal of nitrates.

Dan

Sand. How big is your tank going to be. I'd even look into getting a DSB.