DSB minimum size for NNR?

[vikubz]

Is there a consensus on what is the minimum size horizontally that a DSB is effective for NNR? For example, I'm going to start up a 20g tall nano. Would the footprint of this tank provide enough area to provide many benefits over a SSB?


Thanks,
Mark

 

[Krish]

I would personally think that any size tank can have an effective dsb once it is big/deep enough to have an anaerobic zone for denitrification to take place which I'm not sure what the actual depth is people shoot for though (maybe 5-7 inches ). You will lose a lot of swimming space and water volume by going dsb on a tank that size and I would probably shoot for a ssb if sand is something you would like in your tank because as it stands with a 20gal, you are already limited on what you can keep so I'd try and keep as much water in there as you can. Just a personal thought ...Good luck with the nano

 

[MikeS]

That issue has been debated back and forth, there are many factors that play into the final equation...like bioload, flow, maintenance, ect...not to mention sandbed specifics like recruitment, grain size, ect....

I would however tend to agree with Krish...tank size isn't as much a factor as other things...

MikeS

 

[vikubz]

That is the direction I was leaning towards. A 4" dsb would take a big chunk of volume away.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[Scooterman]

You will get some benefits from even a thin bed like 2", it just becomes a sink quicker.