A bare bottom tank with sand dwellers?

[GREEF stricken]

OK, I did a cursory search and found nothing. There has to be someone out there who has decided to go bare bottom on their tank but simply could not give up their sand dwelling creatures. I have decided to go with a bare bottom high flow tank but use several small vessels to hold miniature portable sand beds. Giving me the ability to remove them during daylight hours when I know there are no inhabitants, allowing me to swap out the detritus laden sand for fresh. Anyone out there have any experience with this? Also, any ideas for something more attractive than a Tupperware container with sand? Preferably something with high or overhanging top so that sand doesn't get blown out as much.

GS

 

[melypr1985]

Hi there! I don't think it's possible to have sand dwellers without a decent sand bed- at least long term. The containers work in QT when they won't be in there for long, but for life? I believe sand sifters and others actually get nutrients from the fauna and flora in the sand. I've kept some of these in a bare bottom sale tank for a month or so, but they are not happy and can sometimes get skinny despite eating regular meaty foods with the other fish. I'm not 100% possitive about this but I can call some people that will have better info for you. #reefsquad @eatbreakfast

 

[Cory]

Just make a little spot for them with sand, put in a tupaware

 

[Sabellafella]

Just make a little spot for them with sand, put in a tupaware

Agree ive seen this done before

 

[eatbreakfast]

Withsand burying wrasses, that only use the sand at night, it's certainly possible. But with creatures that associate with the sand all day, such as sifter gobies or jawfish, they wouldn't last long without sand. Fish such as watchman gobies will be fine without sand, as long as they have a small cave on the bottom to use.

It really just depends on what sand dwellers you want to keep.

 

[Elegance Coral]

What animals are you referring to? Many of them don't NEED sand at all.

 

[Reefphd]

While I love the idea of not having a dirty sandbed, it never looks right bare bottom or starboard.
If you must have barebottom, have you considered a remote sandbed in your fuge?

I've also considered what you're asking for. I don't think there is a viable solution outside of making something yourself.

Maybe use a Tupperware and attach plastic sides to it that ramp down to the tank bottom, or cut the bottom off a second container with sloped sides. You can glue sand to the surface to make it look more natural.

Outside of that, I got nothing.