Deep sand bed
Encyclopedia
A deep sand bed isHow Sand Beds REALLY work, by Ronald L Shimek, PhD, in Reefkeeping online magazine a filtration
method used in some saltwater aquariums. A deep sand bed, similar to the Berlin Method
, is designed to cultivate anaerobic
bacteria
in the bottom layers of sand
, converting nitrate
to nitrogen gas to remove toxic nitrates.
and other marine organisms such as worms, crabs, snails and stars. The creatures burrow and overturn the top two to three inches of sand in search of food, which causes water to circulate deeper in the sand than it would if the creatures were not present.
Deep sand beds may be made of a variety of materials, but typically fine or "superfine" sand is used, with a grain size between 1 mm and 0.05 mm. A larger particle size increases circulation, which in turn requires greater depth to establish anaerobic areas. Larger particles can also inhibit the burrowing of small animals, which would limit circulation into the bed. Additionally, larger particles (2 mm or larger) are prone to detritus
accumulation, which necessitates periodic siphon cleaning.
, is in another container, be it a large bucket
, sump (aquarium)
, or refugium (aquarium). Anthony Calfo gets credit for this method, which he himself calls it a "Sand Bed in a Bucket". He claims that this allows the bed to be kept in the dark, thus eliminating algae outbreaks that sometimes occur in the brightly illuminated aquarium. He also uses higher flows than most tanks. Lastly, and a very good point, is that it is much easier to take it off-line than it is to clean out an in-tank deep sand bed if something goes wrong.
Filtration
Filtration is commonly the mechanical or physical operation which is used for the separation of solids from fluids by interposing a medium through which only the fluid can pass...
method used in some saltwater aquariums. A deep sand bed, similar to the Berlin Method
Berlin Method
The Berlin Method of biological filtration is a method for maintaining a clean and stable environment within a saltwater aquarium, typically a coral reef system. This method relies on the use of ample live rock...
, is designed to cultivate anaerobic
Anaerobic organism
An anaerobic organism or anaerobe is any organism that does not require oxygen for growth. It could possibly react negatively and may even die if oxygen is present...
bacteria
Bacteria
Bacteria are a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria have a wide range of shapes, ranging from spheres to rods and spirals...
in the bottom layers of sand
Sand
Sand is a naturally occurring granular material composed of finely divided rock and mineral particles.The composition of sand is highly variable, depending on the local rock sources and conditions, but the most common constituent of sand in inland continental settings and non-tropical coastal...
, converting nitrate
Nitrate
The nitrate ion is a polyatomic ion with the molecular formula NO and a molecular mass of 62.0049 g/mol. It is the conjugate base of nitric acid, consisting of one central nitrogen atom surrounded by three identically-bonded oxygen atoms in a trigonal planar arrangement. The nitrate ion carries a...
to nitrogen gas to remove toxic nitrates.
Operation
A deep sand bed is commonly defined as a bed of fine sand with a minimum depth of four to six inches which ensures that a portion of the sand at the bottom will not be exposed to significant circulation of water. An established deep sand bed consists of sand populated with bacteria, algaeAlgae
Algae are a large and diverse group of simple, typically autotrophic organisms, ranging from unicellular to multicellular forms, such as the giant kelps that grow to 65 meters in length. They are photosynthetic like plants, and "simple" because their tissues are not organized into the many...
and other marine organisms such as worms, crabs, snails and stars. The creatures burrow and overturn the top two to three inches of sand in search of food, which causes water to circulate deeper in the sand than it would if the creatures were not present.
Deep sand beds may be made of a variety of materials, but typically fine or "superfine" sand is used, with a grain size between 1 mm and 0.05 mm. A larger particle size increases circulation, which in turn requires greater depth to establish anaerobic areas. Larger particles can also inhibit the burrowing of small animals, which would limit circulation into the bed. Additionally, larger particles (2 mm or larger) are prone to detritus
Detritus (biology)
In biology, detritus is non-living particulate organic material . It typically includes the bodies or fragments of dead organisms as well as fecal material. Detritus is typically colonized by communities of microorganisms which act to decompose the material...
accumulation, which necessitates periodic siphon cleaning.
Remote deep sand bed
A remote deep sand bed is just a deep sand bed that, instead of being located in the tankAquarium
An aquarium is a vivarium consisting of at least one transparent side in which water-dwelling plants or animals are kept. Fishkeepers use aquaria to keep fish, invertebrates, amphibians, marine mammals, turtles, and aquatic plants...
, is in another container, be it a large bucket
Bucket
A bucket, also called a pail, is typically a watertight, vertical cylinder or truncated cone, with an open top and a flat bottom, usually attached to a semicircular carrying handle called the bail. A pail can have an open top or can have a lid....
, sump (aquarium)
Sump (aquarium)
In fishkeeping, a sump is an accessory tank in which mechanical equipment is kept. A remote sump allows for a clutter-free display tank.It is found in mainly in a reef system. The sump sits below the main tank and is used as a filter, as well as a holding place of unsightly, miscellaneous equipment...
, or refugium (aquarium). Anthony Calfo gets credit for this method, which he himself calls it a "Sand Bed in a Bucket". He claims that this allows the bed to be kept in the dark, thus eliminating algae outbreaks that sometimes occur in the brightly illuminated aquarium. He also uses higher flows than most tanks. Lastly, and a very good point, is that it is much easier to take it off-line than it is to clean out an in-tank deep sand bed if something goes wrong.
See also
- Live sandLive sandLive sand, a term used in aquarism, is natural reef coral sand populated with millions of beneficial bacteria and organisms which aid in the dissolving of organic wastes like ammonia, nitrites and nitrates produced by larger organisms in saltwater aquariums...
- Coral sandCoral sandCoral sand is sand of particles originating in tropical and sub-tropical marine environments from bioerosion of limestone skeletal material of marine organisms. One example of this process is that of parrot fishes which bite off pieces of coral, digest the living tissue, and excrete the inorganic...
- Live rockLive rockLive rock is rock from the ocean that has been introduced into a saltwater aquarium. Along with live sand, it confers to the closed marine system multiple benefits desired by the saltwater aquarium hobbyist...
- Filter (aquarium)Filter (aquarium)Aquarium filters are critical components of both freshwater and marine aquaria. Aquarium filters remove physical and soluble chemical waste products from aquaria, simplifying maintenance...
- Reef aquariumReef aquariumA reef aquarium or reef tank is an marine aquarium that prominently displays live corals and other marine invertebrates as well as fish that play a role in maintaining the coral reef environment...