Remote DSB Tropical Question

Frizza · 09-21-2007, 10:14 AM

Hi all,

This may seem like an odd (daft) question but a friend of mine has a tropical tank (and very nice it is too) and he has problems keeping his nitrates under control. Now I've read that many people have success using a remote deep sand bed for a reef tank and I wondered if it would apply to a tropical tank. Haven't found much info on the web that explains exactly how it works apart from the basics.

Anyone has any idea on this?

Tangster · 09-21-2007, 10:19 AM

I ran a sump and overflow with my F/W tropicals and Dicues and I used the same nitrate coil in that as I do my salt tanks never any NO'3s

Are we talking a F/W or Marine tank here ?

Frizza · 09-21-2007, 12:00 PM

When I said tropicals I mean a freshwater tank. Its a not a big tank and I have mentioned a nitrate coil to him and was also going to suggest a remote dsb if I thought it would work. How have you found your nitrate coil, is it a diy job?

Cheers Tangster.

Tangster · 09-21-2007, 12:11 PM

I run a coil all the time I guess they work never have any detectable traces of Nitrates Yes It can be a DIY But if you have the tools to drill and tap the in and outlet fittings it makes a easier job.. And yes he can set up a refugium for his F/WE also aka remote DSB

Frizza · 09-21-2007, 12:18 PM

Yeah I found some plans off some site for building a nitrate coil, I was looking into doing that for my tank as the cabinet space is limited as I have a sump that takes up nearly all of it! I wasn't sure how effective they are. I will let him know about the DSB as an alternative option as he has a little more room to play with.

Cheers again.

Tangster · 09-21-2007, 12:24 PM

My coils are about 20 inches tall and 3 inches in Diameter and set in the sump or out on the floor behind the tank/sump..Very effective

coral reefer · 09-21-2007, 01:47 PM

In my opinion having a deep substrate bed for tropicals is not a good idea! That is probably the main reason for the nitrate buildup as uneaten food gets into the substrate and stays there, therefor you need to vacuum the substrate alot to remove waste and uneaten food! I don't believe that it is the same as the benefits received from a dsb for a marine tank!

Frizza · 09-22-2007, 04:24 AM

The deep sand bed is not for the display tank, it would be remote and plumbed in after filtration. This way most of the waste will be captured before it enters the dsb, there should also be sufficient flow on the surface of the sand bed to ensure there is no build up.

I understand that the principle is the same as the nitrate coil that tangster mentioned above. What I was not sure of is whether using these natural nitrate removal methods could be applied to freshwater tanks.

Tangster · 09-22-2007, 05:33 AM

I know if you put a F/W refugium so to say on your community tank that it will pull out the nitrates Just plant and light it..To many refugiums are a new thing But they have been around since I can remember. Used by many hobbyist in fresh and salt water.. Spotte ? I think and Eng ? wrote about their use in the late 50's .. Ing or Eng can't recall the spelling now he was a KOI guy ? is thought to be the grand daddy for the natural nitrate reduction method. Axlerod picked up where Spotte left off in the mid 50's with his all natural systems for fresh and saltwater systems.