Is it smart to set up a deep sand bed in refugiums?
It’s a unique detail to think about, but it’s also a fundamental part of the refugium. The wrong decision will go a long way in ruining the integrity of the setup and how it works.
There are many reasons for using a deep sand bed in refugiums.
The reasons include:
- Creating a Stable Foundation
- Building Consistency
- Maximizing Safety Standards
For those who are thinking about setting up a strong foundation, it’s essential to understand what the benefits are of a deep sand bed in refugiums.
This article will provide more insight into whether or not it makes sense to go with a deep sand bed in refugiums and what will work best for your needs.
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Benefits of a Deep Sand Bed in Refugium
Benefit #1: Increased Stability
Stability is going to be a top priority for anyone that is looking to set up a refugium.
You are going to want to make sure everything is as consistent as possible including the sand, water quality, and living organisms.
The benefits include:
- Consistent Environment
- Maintenance
- Easy to Set Up
It is this benefit that makes a lot of people focus on a live sand bed.
Set it deep and make sure it’s evenly spread out along the base. This will go a long way in yielding good results.
Benefit #2: Natural Environment
The environment inside the refugium is what will matter the most.
You are not going to want a situation where it is inorganic and doesn’t feel safe. This can happen when you are trying to regulate everything artificially.
As a result, you should be looking to set up a deep sand bed.
This is going to create a natural environment that is more in line with what you would see in the ocean.
It is essential to think about these details because it is these decisions that matter. Your main focus should always be to maximize the set up and ensure it’s as natural as possible.
Benefit #3: Regulates Water Quality
Water quality is always going to be a concern.
You don’t want the situation to get to the point where the water is cloudy, smelly, and/or filled with bad bacteria. Unfortunately, this can happen with the wrong approach to the base.
If you go with a deep sand bed, you are going to see maximum value when it comes to the water quality. This benefit alone makes it a worthwhile exercise.
Stay patient when you are setting up the live sand bed in refugiums because the goal is to regulate water quality.
This is one way that’s easy to manage and is going to be consistent.
Benefit #4: Regulates Nitrates
Nitrates have to be regulated to the best of your ability and there are going to be several concerns about how you do this.
Some will prefer to change the water and only use this as a way to regulate the nitrates. While others are going to want to lean towards a deep sand bed because it’s self-regulating.
The options are out there for you to work through, however, it’s best to go with a deep sand bed in refugiums.
The benefits include:
- Improved Water Quality
- Reduced Odor
- Ideal Environment for Organisms
If you are someone that wants a more hands-off, natural approach then it’s time to look at a sand bed. Of course, you will still have to choose the right refugium sand, but this is one solution that will work out as intended once set up.
Use the sand bed as a way to naturally regulate nitrates in the water and feel in control of what’s going on.
It is these details that will make sure the nitrates are fully controllable.
Final Thoughts
There are many benefits of using a deep sand bed in refugiums.
The goal remains to create an enviroment that’s functional, easy to set up, and is going to age gracefully. The wrong materials may take away from what the refugium is responsible for and that’s why it’s best to stick to a live sand bed.
Some may prefer to go with a blank bottom but that’s generally unsafe and inconsistent.
It’s better to stick to something that is proven to work and is going to add natural quality to the environment. It is a detail such as this that can go a long way for multiple organisms.
When looking at the different benefits, you are going to realize how important the bed is going to be. You will have multiple options put in front of you, but only a sand bed is going to deliver multiple benefits. This is why it’s recommended to go with a deep sand bed in refugiums.
It’s a proven solution that comes with advantages and will work well right off the bat!
For more on what to do for your set up, please take a look at these articles – removing fish out of a tank, handling negative bacteria in the tank, how to cycle a fish tank, and tips for removing bad fish tank odor.