Could I use a sand bed?

[Chris2x55G]

My fav pet store said that I should use a Sand Bed in my new tank and that it will help my in the biological filtration and that I even wont have to use a Skimmer. Is that true? are they that good?

Thanks for any help:D

[quantim0]

if you're using a huge algal turf scrubber then you don't need to worry about a skimmer. but other then that you should use a skimmer. once you see what a skimmer takes out of a tank you'll never live without one.

on the sand bed issue. a deep sand bed will help remove nitrates from your tank and my nitrate levels usually hang around 5 ppm. the way you do it is make a layer of sand about 4-5 in and seed it with live sand to make sure the sand has some movement in it. there is a hypoxic (low oxygen) zone at the bottom of the sand where bacteria grow that remove nitrates from your system. definitely worth the investment.

[gcvt]

I also very highly recommend a deep sand bed.

Here's an informative article on DSB's: http://www.rshimek.com/reef/sediment.htm

[Chris2x55G]

Thanks alote for the info. God Bless:)