experience with kalkwasser

[Dingodan]

im upgrading to a new tank starting fresh. will just be using the same live rock and a cup of sand to seed the new bed

 

[Dingodan]

what are the benefits of a dsb besides denitrification. i just realized since i plan on incorporating an auto water change system on my new tank i may not even need the denitrifying qualities of a dsb

 

[Gregcoyote]

I would grow algae in a sump to soak up nitrates. Easier and less chance of a accident.

 

[Dingodan]

do corals or other inhabitants benefit from a dsb?

 

[Gregcoyote]

They benefit from water with low DOCs, how you achieve that is meaningless to the live stock.

 

[Dingodan]

whats doc?

 

[Gregcoyote]

Dissolved Organic Compounds, waste of all kinds. This encompasses phosphates, ammonia and nitrates which are the ones we usually monitor.

 

[Dingodan]

hmm i dont have an issue with that, but acid seems to be very prevalent

 

[Dingodan]

should i start siphoning out sand with every water change? or could that do more harm than good?

 

[Dingodan]

also ill probably need a dsb for my next build for the jawfish i want. so i should just learn how to properly build and maintain one. seems many aquarists are pro dsb so they must work if done right

 

[Gregcoyote]

It's really up to you. Probably nothing wrong with siphoning some sand everyday. I'm a fan of crushed aragonite, but I'm not keeping jaw fish. There are many guys that use DSB's I'm just not one of them. I went a different route. Some guys use mud in their sumps, but I haven't any hands on experience with those techniques. I have just read there are potential problems.