Sump design

[crister13]

I'm going to be making a 55 gallons sump, skimmer, fuge, return. I was wondering if I should put a dsb in the fuge or no? Wouldn't it be easier to clean without one? Would the pros of having in e outweigh the cons? What are the pros and cons?

 

[Schism]

I'm going to be making a 55 gallons sump, skimmer, fuge, return. I was wondering if I should put a dsb in the fuge or no? Wouldn't it be easier to clean without one? Would the pros of having in e outweigh the cons? What are the pros and cons?

Personally i would not. Its just another thing that needs maintained they become nutrient traps that cannot self sustain. If always found it much better to siphon out the detritus on a clean bottom instead if expecting a sandbed to take care of it for you.

If you need a sand bed for certain critters you want or mangroves etc then you may want a dsb. But personally i dont think its worth it. You can keep your water much cleaner by siphoning any detritus you see than expecting a dsb to somehow magically clean it up.

One thing people do not realize about dsb is that they do not process phosphates, meaning at some point in the lifetime of a dsb it will become full of phosphates unless properly maintained like any other sand bed. Its a trade off and a bad one.

 

[crister13]

Alright thanks. I think I'll leave it bare bottom and see how it goes. Hopefully I'll be picking it up today it tmw!!!!!!