reducing sand

ok, there was another thread on here talking about DSB's and i didn't want to hijack their thread...here is my situation

I have about 2-3 inches of sand in my tank, i believe i started off with 3-4...then early on i took out some. not exactly sure if that was a good idea...but i keep on getting 0 for nitrates too.

Now, I read up on the disadvantages of having a DSB and they kinda scare me...I don't think it would be pretty if all that junk got put back into my tank I read that hydrogen sulfide pockets can form and if disturbed, can crash your tank, or do really bad damage for that matter. So with all that said, I've decided to turn my 2-3 inches to 1-2 inches. How would i go about doing this? I don't want to disturb anything!! Am i stuck with having a quasi-dsb!? whats the best way to tackle this problem?


EDIT: Should I keep it!? (I don't know anymore!!!)

 

ermano, read my post about the whole ticking timebomb aspect of a DSB in the other thread. Also the hydrogen sulfide issue is GREATLY blown out of proportion. You would smell it(since it stinks so bad), it such small quantities that aren't toxic at that level, before you have an issue. DSBs get knocked because they are never properly maintained.
Many people regardless of the topic hear something or read something and put their spin on it and just like a rumor it gets blown out of proportion!!
Many marine biologists are DSB fans Sprung, Delbeek, Shimek are just afew in a sea of others!! Let me find you some links....
Honestly, I'm a fan of "natural" tanks and a DSB is part of that!

 

Just pull it out with a small cup slowly ...or put a bag in there and shove it in?
IMO I don't think it is an issue. taking out or leaving well enough alone by leaving it in??.
It sounds like you have a pretty well established tank....if it works don't fix it.
of coarse..IMO.
LG

 

Thats what I meant to say.. LOL

 

Thank you, I was just reading your post regarding that on the other thread...very informative!!

So you say no sand sifting organisms, such as sand sifting stars or gobies. I have a few nassarius snails, would this be a problem?

 

Nassarius spp. typically eat dead fish(carrion) leftover food and the like, they are scavangers not predators like SS stars are. The nassarius will not affect the quality of the bed. The gobies and SS stars are the "predators" that you need/want to avoid to keep all the beneficial life in the DSB.

Give me a minute and I will get those articles....

 

Thank you very much doc, this is such a relief!! I really appreciate it!!

 

How Sandbeds REALLY Work by Ronald L. Shimek, Ph.D. - Reefkeeping.com
Heres one article, I'll post it in the other thread as well, hope it helps!

Your welcome!