I didn't want to turn this thread into a discussion on the merits of bio pellets. Some have been successful using them and some have not. There are many potential reasons for this, and it has been extensively discussed elsewhere.
I became interested in this thread to try and gain a better understanding on the role of a thin sand bed and its relationship to detritus and ability to increase a tank's bio load capacity while maintaining low nitrates and phosphates. Beverly highlighted how much detritus is generated even in a BB tank. But what I am not sure of is whether this detritus is reduced with a thin sand bed because of the beneficial bacteria that would reside there and consume it.
Also, would be interested if just the use of MB7 (without bio pellets) would reduce detritus. I know in my tank, detritus (and algae) was dramatically decreased (along with the reduction of N03 and P04) after I started using it with my bio pellets. But have never tried MB7 without the bio pellets. I might try that later after I reset my upstairs display tank.
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