fuge question

[ReeferGoneMad]

hey guys just wondering what the best type of sand would be to setup a fuge. small sand partilcles, large or mixed.also when i setup my fuge do i just let it run by itself for a few days or should i just hook it up to my main tank?

 

[drunktank]

use whatever u want, just not crushcorals. Hook ur fuge up to the tank right from the start. The beneficial bacteria will make its way to the fuge and plant in the sand.

 

[ReeferGoneMad]

thanks cool. umm im planning on having a dsb in there and there is always a debate on what sand to use pertaining to nitrates building up and then releasing after years of a dsb being established. im not sure but heard the finer it is the better for a dsb is this true?or will bigger sized sand work better for instance carib seas sugar sized sand as opposed to their special grade reef sand. or i could just be wrong altogether. anyway thanks tank for the input. and more is appreciated

 

[drunktank]

i believe no matter which sand u choose, nitrates will build up and many years down the road cause an ''explosion''

one of the points of a DSB in a refugium is so that you can easily remove it down the road.

imo of course.

 

[ReeferGoneMad]

k cool. since ur my only input lol.thanks. IYO which sand would u use sugar or special grade?

 

[Harif87]

Usually the finer the better since it provides more surface area, but fine sand tends to pack together real tight creating pockets filled with nitrates and less room for bacteria to grow. I would mix some fine sand with some larger sand to help out with this problem.

 

[bergerd]

Hi guys

i believe no matter which sand u choose, nitrates will build up and many years down the road cause an ''explosion''

one of the points of a DSB in a refugium is so that you can easily remove it down the road.

imo of course.

What does DSB stand for?:Thinking:

 

[ming]

DSB = Deep Sand Bed

If you want a true DSB, it should be 4-6 inches deep. I would go with the finer sand, but they really should have different size sand in each layer of the DSB. The biggest purpose of a DSB is the denitrification. The DSB preferably should not be disturbed, therefore the bacteria in the sand has low levels of oxygen. These bacteria which thrive on low levels of oxygen turns nitrates into nitrogen gas with a byproduct of sulfur dioxide where the DSB eventually hits a limit depending on bioload/feedings

If going for 1-3", its more of a shallow sand bed which should be sifted/gravel vaccumed regularly

 

[scarf_ace1981]

funny i've always had 2-3" sandbed and everyone aflways says"i see you have a DSB"

 

[Mr.First]

For the Fuge it was suggested to me to try Kent Bio sediment. I will be mixing it with Miracle Mud.

 

[drunktank]

For the Fuge it was suggested to me to try Kent Bio sediment. I will be mixing it with Miracle Mud.

stay away from miracle mud. It's not as good as claimed. It has to be replaced after about 6 months.

IMO i'd stay away from all those ''additives'' from the start. Just fill ur sump w/ a DSB of sand substrate and let it do its job.