DSB Setup for Beginners
- Thread starter AndreT
- Start date
Gr8 topic guys,
Going to be building a new tank and was thinking of how I was going to build the sump.
Tank will be about 400L (550x550x1500) w x h x l
and total sump about 100L (430x1000) w x l
My Q's
1. How much surface area should I be aiming for on the DSB?
2. At what stage should the water flow over the sand, Eg before or after the skimmer, bio balls (if recomended ??) etc.
thanks
Going to be building a new tank and was thinking of how I was going to build the sump.
Tank will be about 400L (550x550x1500) w x h x l
and total sump about 100L (430x1000) w x l
My Q's
1. How much surface area should I be aiming for on the DSB?
2. At what stage should the water flow over the sand, Eg before or after the skimmer, bio balls (if recomended ??) etc.
thanks
Kev i reckon it did help quiet alot i did not dig to deep to get some anoxic media, about 500mm it stank really bad. but yeah in all i think it did help, from what i have read a dsb could take a while to kick in , i am not saying that mine is working 100% , i would not actually now if it is or not , but yes if i compare mine to some others that have been running for a while i would say the life is on a par with your older dsb's.
First and foremost i am playing devils advocate here, in an attempt to learn from you. What i repeat are things that my limited rational tells me to be true from things that i have heard or read about. As a kid i spent a lot of time in the harbour mainly fishing and sailing. Species like russsel snapper and glassies were visible every metre when walking along the piers. Gunards were dime a dozen. I still enjoy the walk and i always ask fisherman when they last caught a gunard. The answer is hardly ever. Glassies are still around but you really have to look hard to find them. So for me the effects of pollution are real and visible.
Jeez the thought gives me the creeps. You have mentioned all the scary ones in one sentence. I look at the amount of waste my BB collects in one week, with massive amounts of flow and somehow do not believe our harbour does the same.ie Flush as effectively as that. Granted sea water will neutralize and hide many pollutants to the point that we cannot detect, but they are still there. Metals are frequently discussed as being the cause of sudden RTN cases
If it improves by inoculating with a strain/s that are more effective then i am all for it. But if it raises the risk of introducing unknowns just to accelerate maturation then i must disagree.
The bulk of this sand is largely silicate/ sandstone based. We often refer to nutrients being absorbed and retained, and we also refer to the potential leaching effects of sandstone. In my opinion this sand is made of the very components that we fear leaching, but in a finer consistency. Add to that your references to these being bound onto the silts...whose to know when these will become soluble maverick invaders.
We go to great lengths to limit the unknown...ie paying the equivalent of a small countries GDP for substrate....just to know that what we have is the best. Great lengths to cleanse....10% water changes and cooking rocks for 4 months ...these things for me are extreme; but damn the results cannot be compared to the old disciplines.
If you must then a teaspoon. But still be selective of your source.
Jeez the thought gives me the creeps. You have mentioned all the scary ones in one sentence. I look at the amount of waste my BB collects in one week, with massive amounts of flow and somehow do not believe our harbour does the same.ie Flush as effectively as that. Granted sea water will neutralize and hide many pollutants to the point that we cannot detect, but they are still there. Metals are frequently discussed as being the cause of sudden RTN cases
If it improves by inoculating with a strain/s that are more effective then i am all for it. But if it raises the risk of introducing unknowns just to accelerate maturation then i must disagree.
The bulk of this sand is largely silicate/ sandstone based. We often refer to nutrients being absorbed and retained, and we also refer to the potential leaching effects of sandstone. In my opinion this sand is made of the very components that we fear leaching, but in a finer consistency. Add to that your references to these being bound onto the silts...whose to know when these will become soluble maverick invaders.
We go to great lengths to limit the unknown...ie paying the equivalent of a small countries GDP for substrate....just to know that what we have is the best. Great lengths to cleanse....10% water changes and cooking rocks for 4 months ...these things for me are extreme; but damn the results cannot be compared to the old disciplines.
Kanga
Retired Moderator
I would have skimmer first, then DSB and then return chamber, as much space for dsb as possible. (no bio balls)
Shout is you would like a pic
Kanga
Retired Moderator
this is Mille's idea that i just redrew, its simple yet very effective
make the first chamber big enough for your skimmer and the last one a big enough for your return plus a little bit for evaporation
I would have skimmer first, then DSB and then return chamber, as much space for dsb as possible. (no bio balls)
Shout is you would like a pic
Thanks for the pic Kanga, Why do you say no Bio balls? and wouldn't it be better to first drain your supply water thru filter cloth before the skimmer? Thanks for the help, wanna build my sump 1st time right.
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Kanga
Retired Moderator
Thanks for the pic Kanga, Why do you say no Bio balls? and wouldn't it be better to first drain your supply water thru filter cloth before the skimmer? Thanks for the help, wanna build my sump 1st time right.
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Bio ball trap detritus and eventually end up becoming a nitrate factory.
I occasionally add some filter wool on the pane between the skimmer and the dsb. leave it for no more than 3 days before i take it out or change it for new.
Ask away, its cheaper, easier and a lot less frustrating than doing it wrong
Kanga, do you use any thing other than the wool as a mechanical filter?
Kanga
Retired Moderator
Nope, on the odd occasion if I have small particles floating in my tank I just skim wetter for a day.
But no filter floss, i would imagine 25 % of the time, the rest of the time without
