Tom,
See, I think that is key to deep sand beds. You have caluerpa as an export
for DOCs. People go off and set up deep sand beds, but do not understand
that even with deep sand beds, you need some type of export. The deep sand
bed still will produce large amounts of DOCs as an end result to the
"process" and if you don't have anything to export those, then they build up
in the tank. Caluerpa is very effective at this. So are other forms of
alage. So, is what ends up happening is that the DOCs build up and then if
there is no caluerpa, other algaes take off and take over the tank. The
problem is that, by the time that happens, the system is totally out of
whack and it takes a lot of time and patients to get it back under control.
Often, the detritus and DOCs are in such large amounts, that you have to
vacume the bed (which, as I understand, you are not supposed to do), do huge
water changes and also try to implement some type of nutrient export in the
system while at the same time, limiting the amount of nutrients entering the
tank.
To be honest, whenever I have tried to help someone who had a deep sand bed,
that was having serious problems with their system, I have always suggested
that they remove most of their sand. The reason is not to get the sand bed
out, but instead to get all of the detritus and bound organics out of the
tank. At the same time, I emphasize that once the tank is under control, a
deep sand bed, correctly set up, could/should be re-implemented.
I am not arguing that deep sand beds are not effective. I think that they
can be and are very very effective tools to reefkeepers. However, I think
that they are something that has to be set up correctly and managed
carefully for long term success. I don't think enough people understand the
entire process, and have read or been told that you just need to dump 5 or 6
inches of sand into your tank, and you will never have to touch it again,
when in reality, there is much more to it than that, both in bioligical
processes that take place and in the physical set up of the system (ie:
refugiums with caluerpa).
Here is an example. Dr. Ronald Schimeck (sp) had an article in one of the
mags this last month where he told everyone about how wonderful deep sand
beds are. How you put one in your tank, and it does everything. Made me want
to put one in my tank! The only problem is, I don't remember seeing anything
in the article that says, to have a succesful sand bed, you have to have an
export mechanism (caluerpa). That is pretty crappy, really, since he uses a
refugium with a crap load of caluerpa in his system. IMO, he should have
emphasized the need for the caluerpa and why it is used. Now, how many
aquarists, from reading this article, are going to incorrectly implement a
sand bed, without an export mechanism. Only, to have problems 6-8-12 months
from now? None, maybe. Or hundreds??
Obviously, you know your stuff! And I, by no means, claim to know
everything. I do think that there needs to be caution used when those who
aquarists look to for help (from the authors of magazines to LFS's) are
giving advice. The thing that sets you apart, is that you are willing to
admit there is many ways to accomplish a successful reef, where many others
say their way is the only way.
Anyways, enough babbling... sorry all for the long post...
Shane C.
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2001 11:17 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: need help
Ditto on the refugium, I run one on all my systems .
Tom
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