how much live sand is a good rule?

PEN518 · 10-16-2008, 04:28 PM

I have a 75 gallon with 1 inch of sand, 100 lbs of live rock. I have read that some sites recommend 3 to 5 inches of live sand.
What have your experiences been?

Pen 518

BEELZEBOB · 10-16-2008, 04:44 PM

well the deeper the sand bed, the more beneficial bacteria can live in it.

if you like the asthetic looks of a shallow sand bed, you could always run a remote DSB,

i.e. a rubbermaid bin or somethin plumbed into your system, full of sand and like chateo

lcstorc · 10-16-2008, 05:01 PM

Advantages and dis-advantages to all 3. Bare bottom is easy to clean. DSB 5-6 inches provides denitrification but also has some risks once they get older if you disturb them. SSB is just for appearance.
I have 2 tanks with SSB and a fuge on the reef with a DSB. My third tank has about 4 inches for my jawfish to play in.

new reefer 03 · 10-16-2008, 08:17 PM

i have a 2.5" sand bed, Deep sand beds help to hold beneficial bacteria, also they help reduce nitrates
shallow sand beds dont do anything, but looks although the deep sand be looks better IMO

10-16-2008, 04:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
PEN518 Tunicate Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: cARY IL Posts: 8 View Gallery Karma Komment	how much live sand is a good rule? I have a 75 gallon with 1 inch of sand, 100 lbs of live rock. I have read that some sites recommend 3 to 5 inches of live sand. What have your experiences been? Pen 518

10-16-2008, 04:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
BEELZEBOB -CHAUVINIST PIG- Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Boulder Colorado Posts: 4,851 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: how much live sand is a good rule? well the deeper the sand bed, the more beneficial bacteria can live in it. if you like the asthetic looks of a shallow sand bed, you could always run a remote DSB, i.e. a rubbermaid bin or somethin plumbed into your system, full of sand and like chateo __________________ 18Gal Mantis Tank 28lbs LR 22lbs Black Sand D&D Typhoone Skimmer96W CL PC (10K + AC) 2 Rio 90 P.H., 1 Nano Korilla Bane the Mantis Shrimp (G.Smithii) LIFE LESSON 8/8/08: Dont Poke Squirrells... LIFE LESSON 8/12/08: Chicks dont dig comic books... LIFE LESSON 8/26/2008: Pain is relative... LIFE LESSON 9/13/2008: Sometimes you just gotta pee in the sink... LIFE LESSON 10/1/2008: Her eyes say more than her mouth... LIFE LESSON 10/1 B: In retrospect, the shooting range was a bad first date idea... LIFE LESSON 10/19/2008: Bleach doesn't work well with out DETERGENT... But with it, WOW! LIFE LESSON 10/25/2008: "You're Such a Man," isnt necessarily a compliment... LIFE LESSON 10/28/2008: RC Helicopters are not Bob Proof... LIFE LESSON 10/29/2008: Dont ** where you eat, UNLESS, you are the company pooper scooper... BARB FREGGIN RULES**

10-16-2008, 05:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 26,433 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: how much live sand is a good rule? Advantages and dis-advantages to all 3. Bare bottom is easy to clean. DSB 5-6 inches provides denitrification but also has some risks once they get older if you disturb them. SSB is just for appearance. I have 2 tanks with SSB and a fuge on the reef with a DSB. My third tank has about 4 inches for my jawfish to play in. __________________ Peace LYNN Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Lynn's frag tank experiment A reef tank is like a race car. The faster you go the harder you crash.

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