Anyone run a RDSB?

I've read a lot about the remote deep sand bed on RC and just wondering if anyone has tried it with success?

 

From what I've been able to gather, this is a supplemental approach, not a replacement for good tank keeping practices. Using an rDSB is not a substitute for a good skimmer, macroalgae in a fuge etc. I've had nitrates between 10 and 15 and have not gotten any lower. I run a bare bottom DT and thinking about setting up one.

 

I've been looking at DIY denitrators online and they seem to be a pretty simple set up. It looks like the trick is to get the flow nice and slow through the media. What rate of flow should one be shooting for in one of these contraptions?

 

I did, and after 2 months I did not detect any improvement in NO3. I think that I need to do some other things to improve my nutrient export before a rDSB will make a difference.


Mark

 

I used an instant ocean bucket with two uniseals and pvc. The input was 3/4 in and ran off a MJ 1200 out of the last chamber of the sump. The output was 1.5 in pvc and drained back into the sump. I used those sizes as they were what I had laying around. For sand I used aragonite 1-2 mm that I had around. There was about 1.5 in of water running over the sand, and I laid a piece of filter pad over the top of it to catch any detritus that might make it into the bucket. I read through the big thread on RC about rDSBs and I think it's a method that will really help someone who needs to get rid of that last bit of NO3. I think the next thing I need to do is get/build a more powerful skimmer to get my nutrients down further. I have a 6 in pvc diy skimmer with a rio 1700 mesh mod right now, and while it skims pretty well, I'm going to get a bigger pump and see if that boosts my production. I also have a turboflotor 1000 skimmer sitting around that I might try out. At any rate, I think better skimming will help my tank a lot.

HTH,
Mark

 

I decided to give it another shot, and made a couple other changes. Took the extra lr out of the sump as it was trapping alot of debris. Now it's a simple matter to vacuum out the sump. I took out the filter padding just in case. There's only 3 inches of water or so, which should make the flow off a MJ 1200 enough to keep things from settling. Also plan on stepping up water changes a little. We'll see what happens. Nice part is that there's nothing to watch on these things. Plug 'n play at its best.

 

Update: Nitrates still running between 5 and 10. I don't think the rDSB is as much to credit as is the more diligent water change regimen. I did about a 30% water change several weeks ago and 10% per week since then. I might do another 20% one pretty soon.

 

I am having a doubt about the rdsb system. The idea is that with a 5 gallon bucket of sand you can set up a huge anaerobic bacteria colony to convert nitrates, but there is new evidence cited on RC that the anaerobic bacteria only colonize a narrow layer below the aerobic zone, and not the whole of the sand bed. The result is that while you do get the anaerobic bacteria, the volume would be so small in comparison to the volume of water involved that the results are negligible. I'll have to run this by the RC crowd and see what they have to say.