Setting up a DSB for long(est) term success

I've spent several hours reading threads that started out as "How to make DSB work"... yet all they did was discuss why sand beds are the devil and that they will eventually need to be replaced, and why BB was so much better for the long term success of the tank.



OK. I get it.



Now tell me what I need to do to set the DSB up for long term success (even if that means 2, 5, 10 years from now I need to replace the sand bed). I don't care that DSB is the devil, I will have sand in my tank, and I want it to be set up to be as low maintenance as possible without having bare spots where you can see the glass.



Here is what I've absorbed from all of the threads I've been reading:

• High flow over the top of the sand to help keep detritus suspended the best possible to be able to move it to sump for skimmer to remove it


• Deeper bed = longer it can go before completely filling up with phosphates (how deep? 4"? 5"? 6"? doing a 240 gallon tank which is 25" tall)


• Sand shifting critters will help keep sand clean


• Turning sand over will help keep it clean - but doesn't this defeat the point of having a DSB --> not disturbing the DSB?

I really don't want to spend a lot of time maintaining it on a weekly basis, I'd rather just plan on replacing the sand every few years, so in order to accomodate that I think I will place acrylic dividers in the tank just a little bit shorter than how deep the sand will be that way I already have it sectioned off when I get ready to replace it.



Let's forget about the BB vs. DSB debate and actually give tips on how to successfully keep a DSB even if it is only a few years at a time before replacing the sand. I won't be convinced to go BB just due to the looks of it, I want sand and I don't want to have to siphon it weekly, so what should I do to set it up for long term (2-10 year) success?



Thanks in advance!