Bare bottom or 2 inch sand bed

[GHOSTLY]

I have a 13.5 evo and was wondering what would be better? I like sand but I think bare bottom would be better.

 

[GHOSTLY]

What would be better for my tank? Also would a 1cm sandbed work?

 

[attiland]

Haha you want a fight. Sand by the way

 

[GHOSTLY]

Haha you want a fight. Sand by the way

Plus 1 for sand. How deep of a sand bed

 

[attiland]

Plus 1 for sand. How deep of a sand bed

Mine is 1.5-2cm. I find it not deep enough sometimes but at the same time put more sand is difficult. I am soon moving so that will help this process.

 

[blaxsun]

+1 for sand.

 

[GHOSTLY]

whats the benefit of deep sand

 

[blaxsun]

whats the benefit of deep sand

Certain inverts and fish that need to bury. And yes, you could certainly have a 0.5-1” sandbed as well. It’s really personal preference.

 

[Billldg]

The question that needs to be asked, and I feel, you already know your answer, is, WHAT do you want?

I say this because you will get different answers based on reefers preference. I like sand, and thus, went with a 1.5 to 2 in sand bed. Others like a bare bottom and go that route. Its all in what you want, and what you are looking for. The main difference in both is mainly 2 fold, maintenance and speed of cycling. With a sand bed, you get a quicker cycling period as the sand will hold bacteria, plus it looks more natural. While, bare bottom, means a longer cycling period, and more bacteria blooms, look at the @Bulk Reef Supply videos, BUT, at far less maintenance as you do not have to clean the sand down the road. NO one is really better than the other, its just a preference on what you like vs what you are willing to do and go thru to achieve the look you want.

 

[fishface NJ]

sand!

 

[blaxsun]

Figure out what you want to put in your tank. Certain inverts and fish need sand to survive - many don’t.

 

[Gergejr33]

Sand all day, the good gravel type made of crushed coral

 

[MabuyaQ]

It depends on what kind of corals you want to grow in the lowest parts of your reef. Mostly SPS, go barebottom, mostly LPS and/or softies, go sand. And even with all SPS you could go for a sandbed. With a sandbed you just need to be willing to to invest in livestock that helps in maintaining it (stay away from sand sifting starfish though, they only do more harm to a sandbed) and also help with that maintenance yourself.

 

[GHOSTLY]

The question that needs to be asked, and I feel, you already know your answer, is, WHAT do you want?

I say this because you will get different answers based on reefers preference. I like sand, and thus, went with a 1.5 to 2 in sand bed. Others like a bare bottom and go that route. Its all in what you want, and what you are looking for. The main difference in both is mainly 2 fold, maintenance and speed of cycling. With a sand bed, you get a quicker cycling period as the sand will hold bacteria, plus it looks more natural. While, bare bottom, means a longer cycling period, and more bacteria blooms, look at the @Bulk Reef Supply videos, BUT, at far less maintenance as you do not have to clean the sand down the road. NO one is really better than the other, its just a preference on what you like vs what you are willing to do and go thru to achieve the look you want.

Whats the Ture benefit from sand long term say 1 year in? I love both, that's why this question is being asked

 

[jmichaelh7]

I have had sand and with SPS flow rate I want I couldn’t keep the sand from piling up in one corner.

with my new tank I have a lot more flow and no sand as it’s bare bottom

like it was mentioned , it is preference and what you plan to do with tank

 

[jmichaelh7]

I have had sand and with SPS flow rate I want I couldn’t keep the sand from piling up in one corner.

with my new tank I have a lot more flow and no sand as it’s bare bottom

like it was mentioned , it is preference and what you plan to do with tank

 

[1ocean]

did the sand thing in the 140. the new 300 we are building will be no sand...

 

[Bdroid]

I’m all about the sand since my tank is primarily lps/softies and doesn’t require strong flows.

 

[Memisis]

A 2 inch fine grain sand bed will allow for the anaerobic bacteria to metabolize nitrate into nitrogen thus completing the nitrogen cycle. If you have a bare bottom tank, you need to plan on managing this anaerobic activity in other ways.

Live rock in the sump or better yet reactors with porous rock where you can strictly control flow would be the other options.

Don't forget about water changes as a viable export method!

Let us know if you go bare or sanded and how you do in a few months with nitrates. Best of luck.