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Can you solve my confusion? Some
"experts" say you need to have sand sifters like cucumbers in a Jaubert-style tank
with live sand. Other "experts" say invertebrates like that
dig too deeply and wreck the water flow to and from the plenum. Which is it?
What
is an "expert"? We used to say "previously married"
and "flow under pressure" ("ex""spurt").
But seriously; sand sifters of all sorts, fishy and non-vertebrate can
be a great asset in a properly set-up and operated NNR (Natural Nitrate
Reduction) system. Ideally, these arrangements have a barrier (usually
fiberglass screen cloth) betwixt layers of calcium carbonate based
substrate that restricts would-be diggers to the upper half. So, in my
opinion, there are sufficient benefits to utilizing sifters and diggers
(prevention of clogging and channeling, enhanced solubility, more
stable pH, trace levels...). I'd use them; with the
proscribed permeable barrier. Cheesy Illustration of NNR w/Mesh-Cloth
Barrier:
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Top Gravel Layer (1-2" live sand, aragonite)
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Screen Barrier/Mesh
___________________________________________________
Bottom Gravel Layer (1-2" crushed coral)
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Plenum space and Supports under Grid/Screen |
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