Hi, Larry. A DSB is a good idea with or without a refugium. In fact, we run
zero Nitrate/Phosphate systems using DSB alone. If you place LR on the DSB,
it will seed it and in time you will end-up with a 'live' sand bed. Should
you be inclined, you could purchase a DSB 'activation' kit from www.ipsf.com
, for example. This is really not necessary but would jump start your DSB.
The single most important aspect in managing a DSB, IMHO, is water flow.
Circulation needs to be 10-30 times the tank water volume per hour. In fact,
this technique works well even using pool filter sand for substrate. You will
be told many things that make no sense and are unproven. Try to stick with
information from reliable sources. I recommend reading authors like Steve
Tyree at www.dynamicecomorpholgy.com, Albert Thiel at www.athiel.com, Martin
Moe, Eric Borneman, and numerous other publications from people like Ron
Shimek, Craig Bingman, Dana Riddle, and many other experienced aquarists and
scientists. There is also some good basic information on our site at
www.lonestarcorals.com.
All new stony corals, especially wild collected ones, need to soak for twenty
minutes in captive water treated with 20 drops of 2.2% Tincture of Iodine
available at any pharmacy. This treatment tends eradicate a high percentage
of surface bacteria, parasites, and viruses thereby reducing the risk of
introducing infections. Place the treated corals (not recommended for LPS and
soft corals!!) in your isolation tank and observe for at least two weeks. Be
advised that some stony corals can have an extremely negative reaction to
iodine baths. They usually pull through just fine, however. Add livestock
very slowly and study each addition before purchasing.
HTH.
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