Does this new tank setup sound OK?

[APC]

I agree. If it were my tank I would lose the undergravel filter (remover the entire filter - plates and all) and the bio balls. One question that still needs to be answered though is what type of Protein Skimmer do you have, and is it powerful enough. I can not stress enough the value of a good skimmer.

Also, on the sand bed, read the section on DSB in the "3 steps to a reef" document on this site. There is good information in there on types of sand, required depth, etc. If you want the benefits of the DSB, you need to make sure you set it up right.

Remember though that this is just one of many methods. It is working well for me. As you saw in this string, there are lots of ways to do this successfully. You need to make a decision on what is best for you and your lifestyle. I have found that one benefit to the protein skimmer/DSB method is it is pretty easy to maintain. I travel for work, so I need something that does not require a lot of day to day maintenance. My lights are on timers, the protein skimmer is easy to access and clean (My wife is willing to do that on occasion), and by and large the tank takes care of itself. All I do is change 10% of the water on a weekly basis, check my water chemistry weekly, add supplements as needed, and keep the glass clean. Very easy to do.

Hope that helps

[Birdlady]

You Got It!!!!

Not a problem! We were all Newbies at one time with the same questions!!!

[Michaelr5]

That is essentially correct, although even with LR and Sand, you will still probably see a rise in nitrates. The filter plates, blocked off will create an anerobic area for nitrate to gas. But a refugium will help tremendously as well. I am just starting up a fuge in my system in hopes to control trates better.

Am I correct guys and gals or just blowing steam?

[Mr._Bond]

So, in my case, with a tank up and running, with a non-deep sand bed (probably 2 inches deep or so), would the best approach be to remove my power heads from the undergravel filter, remove the bioballs (slowly) and convert or add a refugium you think? I've got both a filter in the overflow that goes to the W/D and a filter on the drip plate itself, so I'm doing the filtering - I'm feeding minimally (as everyone has told me over and over to not overfeed - twice a day, just a couple pinches of food that seems to be eaten immediately) and I still have nitrate issues. I never can seem to get them below 40 to 60 ppm for more than like a day. I use RO/DI water now, I change water regularly and change/clean filters, my skimmer is getting lots of accumulation in it and yet, there are the nitrates still. I can't take out my undergravel plates and can't add more deep sand (I don't think since I've got fish, at least not easily...) Any suggestions?