I just listened to you two part podcast on substrates. I appreciate all of the information that you discussed, I found it very informative. I know you are a fan of a DSB, and I would like to setup my tank with one as well. My question involves different species of fish and inverts and their effects on the DSB. I know that you mentioned that certain types of marine life like to burrow and can sometimes burrow beneath LR and cause them to topple. I have also read that certain marine life can be harmful to the DSB by digging up the substrate at eating the little creatures necessary to sustain life in a DSB. Is this true and if so what are the inverts and fish I want to avoid?

In addition, I also read conflicting information on forums elsewhere that you want to have inverts that stir your substrate. I am not sure if I should have inverts that stir the substratre, disturb the substrate or don't tamper with the substrate. Can you clear this up for me?

Keep up the good shows, I enjoy them at work :p !

Well there is a difference between stir the substrate and burrow, in this nomenclature.

snails, and other common cleanup crew critters stir the substrate and help it.

Welcome to TR Wildeone! I can't answer your question since I'm not on the DSB bandwagon, but just wanted to welcome ya here. ;)

Feel free to add your tank to the list of tank builds.

Thanks for the welcome and the invitation. I may take you up on that!

yes...
there are critters the "stir" Th's involves then moving small amounts of sand around in the top inch or so.
this is good, if not required, for a healthy DSB. a DSB should not be left alone and never touched. it needs periodic minor movement, either from sand sifting critters or from human intervention such as prodding the sand bed every month or two.

as far as the fish. yes, some borrow. this is fine except that they can cause rocks to fall over.

and as far as them eating critters, that could be a good thing or bad thing depending on whats in your tank.

hope that clarifies issues. let me know if you need more clarification

Hi!

I just joined this forum, after listening to this podcast. Let me first say, I am new this hobby and and find the podcasts absolutely wonderful. Can't thank you enough for them.

I have been doing alot of research and have decided to go w/ a 6" sandbed. There has been some debate whether play sand is an appropriate medium to use. (after being tested w/ vinegar & a magnet) I am wondering if anyone has any thoughts on this?

My second concern is the consisancy of the sand. I plan on keeping a pair of jawfish. The play sands i have come across are all very fine. Is it okay to add crushed coral to that? I will be using about 210 pounds of sand. So, what would be the right mix of coral to sand, if that can be done?

And lastly, I am planning on setting up a manifold type flow system, one around the entire top of the tank and one at the lower back of the tank. One to be ran during the day & one to be ran at night. The LR will be off the sandbed about 1/4 of an inch and the lower flow is intended to flow under that area. Does this sound like a feasable plan? Or will it disturb the sandbed?

If my questions have been addressed in a different area, just point me in the right direction. Thanks in advance for any input!

I have been doing alot of research - only to be applauded!

w/ a 6" sandbed. There has been some debate whether play sand is an appropriate medium to use. - from what I've read, if you want to go with a DSB, then it's best to use the finest sand possible.

My second concern is the consisancy of the sand. I plan on keeping a pair of jawfish. The play sands i have come across are all very fine. Is it okay to add crushed coral to that? I will be using about 210 pounds of sand. So, what would be the right mix of coral to sand, if that can be done? - I think most DSB users layer first the very fine sand and then it's possible to add something like a crushed coral mix on top of that. But, please correct me if I'm wrong! I think Amphibious also layered a different grain size on the top of his DSB.

And lastly, I am planning on setting up a manifold type flow system, one around the entire top of the tank and one at the lower back of the tank. One to be ran during the day & one to be ran at night. The LR will be off the sandbed about 1/4 of an inch and the lower flow is intended to flow under that area. Does this sound like a feasable plan? Or will it disturb the sandbed? - I think closed loops have a lot of advantages (no powerheads in the display, reduced heat to the system, good flow to larger areas of tank), so I would encourage you to go with this idea. I am also planning a closed loop manifold along the top of my tank, to be distributed in multiple spots. And having another system going down the back wall and towards the bottom is also good for adding some flow towards the bottom to help get debris up and over your overflow. JustDaveP uses a powerhead hooked to a timer that goes on every day for a few minutes and stirs the bottom area up. I think the DSB will adjust and settle over time and won't get so stirred up by the flow, provided you don't have the outlets aiming directly at the sandbed.

Hi Dreams,

Welcome to TR.

Hi Christi & Carmie!

Christi...thanks for the input....i will take a look at amphibious' thread again...

as an aside, i found the answer to play sand question in podcast #9

as an aside, i found the answer to play sand question in podcast #9

:D

welcome to Talkingreef.

if you have other questions dont hesitate to ask.