DSB setup with Live Sand ?

[Chefri]

1. If I want to setup DSB with dead sand but only at 1/2" top layer is live sand,is the DSB enough for nitrate process ?

2. in my place noone sell detrivvore kit. but I use live sand. is it not enough ? because I use DSB only for nitrate process.

[Tanzy]

How deep is your DSB going to be in total? That is more important than how much life sand you have. You don't even need live sand actually.

Detritivores will migrate from live rocks to the sand bed over time. Be patient.

[Chefri]

I want 12 cm for my dsb. My main proccess to setup DSB is for remove Nitrate in my water. So,if only 1 cm live sand for my dsb,is it enough for nitrate proccess ? how fast DSB can be work to proccess nitrate if only 1 cm live sand at the top ?

[chrislwp]

Chefri,

Everyone wanted a DSB to reduce nitrate, and this normally takes 9-12 mths to mature before it can function, dont bother whether it's live or dead sand, more important of DSB is really deep with grade 0 sand.

You mentioned 12cm which is almost 5". I suggest you to add another 3cm. After a while the deep will be reduced as the sand tighten.

U cannot fully depends on DSB if the load is high, try refugium too while u are waiting for the dsb to mature.

[Chefri]

"try refugium too while u are waiting for the dsb to mature."

what you mean is add macroalgae or DSB too in refugium ?

[d00d]

Yup, some of us have DSB in our sumps and also have refugium to aid the DSB in our main tank. These would all contribute to reduce the nuisance nitrates in your water. Hope this helps.

[Chefri]

so,what you mean is DSB in refug not macroalgae ?

[d00d]

You can have both the macroalgae and a DSB in the refug. Seen many people placing macroalgae above their DSB too. No problems.

[nim75sg]

If your purpose is to remove nitrates .. do yourself a favor and buy a denitrator.