Bare Bottom Lovers

[Chelle's Ocean]

Ok my R2R peeps... life has changed a few times since setting up the 55,.. with that being said, we are moving [our condo we were renting was sold] .. sooo need to take down the 55, move and set back up "temporarily" over the next year...

So. Thought is go bare bottom for the year.
Who has b.b. tanks?
What are your thoughts, likes, dislikes, any photos?

Am thinking of doing a partial sand bed, in a designated area for the coons... but, debating how that will work, as they like to be in various spots throughout the current dsb... and also how clean that will look, as don't want it looking rigged/sloppy, lol.. #reeferocd lol
Tossing a couple ideas around...

Share your thoughts... and your B.B. tanks

 

[hart24601]

Bb here. Nothing to dislike I found. Grow sps on the bottom glass is fun.

 

[Dennis McGrath]

Bb here. Nothing to dislike I found. Grow sps on the bottom glass is fun.

That is the best looking tank I have ever seen. How long have you had it?

 

[DSC reef]

I've always enjoyed bare bottom and sand. Both have pros and cons. The bare bottom was easier to maintain for us. Our next tank will have sand.

 

[andrewkw]

I probably slightly prefer sand bed for the look but the reality is I run my main display bare bottom and it's easier to maintain and looks fine. I'm not so much worried about a sandbed on a day to day or even month to month basis, but after several years when it's time to move / upgrade ect.

On the bare bottom subject as you can see from the picture below my tank is pretty full. My frag tank is equally full of mostly paly frags that are the same ones on the right side of my tank. I'm considering covering the bottom glass with 10 or so frags of them. Thoughts on coral covered bottoms vs actual glass / starboard / whatever...

 

[Chelle's Ocean]

Bb here. Nothing to dislike I found. Grow sps on the bottom glass is fun.

Gorgeous!!!❤❤❤❤

 

[Chelle's Ocean]

I probably slightly prefer sand bed for the look but the reality is I run my main display bare bottom and it's easier to maintain and looks fine. I'm not so much worried about a sandbed on a day to day or even month to month basis, but after several years when it's time to move / upgrade ect.

On the bare bottom subject as you can see from the picture below my tank is pretty full. My frag tank is equally full of mostly paly frags that are the same ones on the right side of my tank. I'm considering covering the bottom glass with 10 or so frags of them. Thoughts on coral covered bottoms vs actual glass / starboard / whatever...

Oh yes, did also think of frags on bottom... love the tank❤ and that background .. very pretty

 

[Chelle's Ocean]

Thank you guys, appreciate the replies and shared photos

 

[mitch91175]

After checking out a friends success with bare bottom, I immediately switched mine from having sand to BB.

Benefits from the BB to me now outweighs the benefits of the sandbed. You can have much more flow without sandbed than you can with a sandbed. Much easier to clean than with sandbed. Better nutrient control without sandbed.

Better placement for Zoas without sandbed. I was always a sandbed guy until I saw a bare bottom done the right way.

 

[larryl]

Amazing tank lots of color.

 

[lbacha]

I love my barebottom nano. I can really crank the flow on my 2 mp10's. The bottom is covered with coralline and I have monti's, lepastrea, GSP, chalices, platygyra and astreopora growing on it.

 

[hart24601]

Here was the tank write up. It was even more impressive after the article and pictures. Sadly I got sick few months after and sold it as I couldn't take care of things but switched it to freshwater for auto waterchanges and 0 work. Good news is that I am fine now but just have memories of the tank!

http://www.reefedition.com/reef-spotlight-bret-hartmans-120g/

 

[Lonely reefer's]

Easier to clean /if the snails/clean up crews decided to flip the frag plug
Won’t get kill to easily

 

[Chelle's Ocean]

After checking out a friends success with bare bottom, I immediately switched mine from having sand to BB.

Benefits from the BB to me now outweighs the benefits of the sandbed. You can have much more flow without sandbed than you can with a sandbed. Much easier to clean than with sandbed. Better nutrient control without sandbed.

Better placement for Zoas without sandbed. I was always a sandbed guy until I saw a bare bottom done the right way.

Lol, those reasons are swaying me
Have always done sand... but hmmmmm... lol do not think will add it for this move..

 

[Chelle's Ocean]

Here was the tank write up. It was even more impressive after the article and pictures. Sadly I got sick few months after and sold it as I couldn't take care of things but switched it to freshwater for auto waterchanges and 0 work. Good news is that I am fine now but just have memories of the tank!

http://www.reefedition.com/reef-spotlight-bret-hartmans-120g/

Glad you are doing better! Checking out the article...

 

[Chelle's Ocean]

;Happy;Happy;Happy;Happy;Happy Wow Bret... stunning! Love the photos, your friend did an amazing job. Cannot wait to have a dozen anthias myself, , just having that daily.. beautiful. You did awesome. Again, glad you are doing better... and thanks for sharing the article!

 

[BigJohnny]

I have nothing to add besides pointing out that your thread is titled "bare bottom lovers". Just sayin

 

[Chelle's Ocean]

;Joyful haha, yes, wanted to be sure I could catch some comments on here and not get lost in an unanswered thread, hahahaha
(and just as a disclaimer: was not meant to offend anyone, I just thought it funny) lol

 

[happyhourhero]

Here mine is. I too like to crank the flow and grow stuff on the bottom.

 

[OriginalUserName]

Ok my R2R peeps... life has changed a few times since setting up the 55,.. with that being said, we are moving [our condo we were renting was sold] .. sooo need to take down the 55, move and set back up "temporarily" over the next year...

So. Thought is go bare bottom for the year.
Who has b.b. tanks?
What are your thoughts, likes, dislikes, any photos?

Am thinking of doing a partial sand bed, in a designated area for the coons... but, debating how that will work, as they like to be in various spots throughout the current dsb... and also how clean that will look, as don't want it looking rigged/sloppy, lol.. #reeferocd lol
Tossing a couple ideas around...

Share your thoughts... and your B.B. tanks

That is exactly my plan on my new tank. I want to keep my pistol and goby pair but want most of the tank bb. I will try to create a dam area with sand by using rockwork and leave the rest bb. (Actuall textured abs) Worst case if it doesnt work I'll vac the sand out.

I want the bb areas for growing zoas and such.