Bare bottom or Sand bottom tank ?

[CSlay79]

I am planning on setting up my new 90g custom tank and really wanted to do a sand bottom but I've heard that there are some side effects that could crash whole tank. Like certain bacteria pockets, that can get trapped and wipe out tank. But I hear a lot of good things too. Anyone that can tell me more info, please help ! I love the look of a tank with a sand but don't want to risk losing all my corals. I'm up in the air about what to do.

 

[jy544]

I like sand better but it is more work. You need to vac the sand when you do a water change every so often.

 

[RDHDDRAGON]

I have just enough sand to cover the bottom of my tank, like 1/2". I didn't want it deep enough to cause problems but i also don't like the look of bare bottom.

I know its not deep enough to add any benefit other than looks.

 

[CSlay79]

So as long as you keep up with cleaning it like vac it should prevent issues ? What about all the sand sifting fish ?

 

[spscrazy]

you could go for a small layer of sand instead of going with a dsb which would eliminate the risks that a dsb have add some snails etc that would keep it clean

 

[Pkunk35]

Hey Cslay79, the bacterial pockets you speak of would be low oxygen or anaerobic zones on the bottom of deep sand beds due to lack of waterflow and gas exchange. You don't really have to worry about this unless your tank has quite a deep sand bed, something greater than 4".

If you keep a shallow sand bed you can just vacuum the substrate during WC as jy544 said and this is to clean up debris which accumulates.

The main advantage with a sand bed is that it provides surface area for bacteria and other life to colonize. The main disadvantage is that it can become a debris trap and nitrate factory if not kept clean.

I'd say go for it if you like sand, just make sure to purchase a siphon. A good book to read on the subject of sand beds is "Reef Invertebrates" by Anthony Calfo and Robert Fenner, or read the FAQs on wetwebmedia.

 

[Downbeach]

I advocate a DSB. I have had a 6" DSB in my current system for about 6 years, and I don't have to do anything to it, i.e. cleaning, siphoning, etc. If you adhere to the principals set forth in the attached link, there's no reason that you should have any problems. It's important that you use the right depth ~4"-6", the right material (aragonite), the right size granule (sugar size oolite), and the right type of infauna (pods, worms, etc.)
Here is the article:
Ron Shimek's Website...Deep Sand Beds
Sustrate:
CaribSea Aragamax Aquarium Sand
Infauna/Worms here:
: : : : Indo-Pacific Sea Farms : : : :

 

[Trex]

What do you plan on keeping? Certain creatures are going to require a sandbed.

I have had sandbeds in my tanks for the last 20+ years, never had a wipe out. I prefer a shallow sandbed -- 2-3 inches -- that I "gravel vac" with each weekly water change.

I do not like using sand-sifting stars nor fish -- have a tendency to stripe the sandbed clean of all life and slowly starve to death.

 

[CSlay79]

What do you plan on keeping? Certain creatures are going to require a sandbed.

I have had sandbeds in my tanks for the last 20+ years, never had a wipe out. I prefer a shallow sandbed -- 2-3 inches -- that I "gravel vac" with each weekly water change.

I do not like using sand-sifting stars nor fish -- have a tendency to stripe the sandbed clean of all life and slowly starve to death.

Mainly mixed reef tank with clowns and mandarin maybe couple other fish, and cleaners, shrimp, snails , n crabs

 

[Frags 2 Fishes]

I personally am all for a sandbed, but I have a particular taste for Gobies and other burrowing fish.

One benefit of going sand less is the ability to have the water crystal clear, my gobies are always shifting sand around so it's never particulate free.


Sent from my iPhone 4s using Tapatalk

 

[Robert@MD]

I always have used shallow sand bed of 1" or less because it keeps clean. Bare bottom takes too long to grow in and actually look nice IMO. If you are keeping any kind of wrasse or sand sifter gobies, try to get about 3-4", otherwise, keep it shallow.

Vacuuming your sand is kind of waste of time and money IMO. If you keep a shallow bed, you should never have to vacuum it. Just be sure your powerheads are sufficient to keep the debris suspended.