Bare bottom or sand bottom

edc_aquarium · Dec 12, 2017

For my 55 gallon reef I'm having a hard time figuring out if I want a sand bottom or bare bottom what's your guys opinions?

saltyfilmfolks · Dec 12, 2017

I like sand.

scardall · Dec 12, 2017

IMO(My Choice) Bare bottom less maintenance and easier to clean.---Until coraline covers bottom-looks a bit sterile. (My choice) OR (Up to You) If Sand cosmetically nice more maintenance required and can have fish that bury themselves. --If you slack off too long tank can crash

Flatlandreefer · Dec 12, 2017

I can't stand the bare bottom look but if you like it it has its advantages, easier to remove detritus and it won't blow around with high flow. Sand requires more maintenance but it looks more natural and there are a lot of fish that need a sand bed. A compromise would be to use starboard, I have never used it but several people have and it looks pretty convincing in a lot of pics I have seen.

I vote sand but it's really a personal preference.

RussiReef · Dec 13, 2017

I will go with sand.

wattson · Dec 13, 2017

BB and youll never look back...sand is TOO many headaches,IMO...wish I never wasted money and time on sand

GOSKN5 · Dec 13, 2017

If starting this tank new.. and able to, flip it over and paint the bottom underside white... gives a nice illusion of sand with the BB benefits... here is mine:

scardall · Dec 13, 2017

GOSKN5 said:
If starting this tank new.. and able to, flip it over and paint the bottom underside white... gives a nice illusion of sand with the BB benefits... here is mine:

I have a BB tank as well. I never thought of painting the bottom white. Cool idea.

Ento-Reefer · Dec 13, 2017

I always use sand. I love fish that need a sand bed to burry in.

wattson · Dec 13, 2017

http://www.krylon.ca/products/make-it-stone-textured-paint/
this might be a different paint option..make sure you paint the outside bottom of tank.
My tanks are bare bottom and liking it

CoralReefer1019 · Dec 13, 2017

WWIII · Dec 13, 2017

At this point in time in the hobby it's in large part personal preference. Consider the animals you would like to keep as well! I prefer sand and I use tropic eden reef flakes

David Bell · Dec 13, 2017

I went BB with black starboard. The coraline has covered a good part of the starboard which makes it look better IMO. BB is my vote with the proper inhabitants

Roggio · Dec 13, 2017

If you look at @WWC and @jfox they do BB. They used encrusting corals to fill in the space and they’re able to control flow without disturbing sand. It also helps disrupt ick’s cycle. My next tank will be BB

DSC reef · Dec 14, 2017

I prefer bare bottom. Easier to clean, corals encrust the glass like montis and zoas. I can crank the flow and never worry about moving sand or covering corals.

Radman73 · Dec 14, 2017

Sand. I prefer the look and there are too many fish I like that are dependent on a sand bed.

Flatlandreefer · Dec 14, 2017

GOSKN5 said:

I do agree, if going bare bottom I think doing this makes it look 100 times better and would be an argument for myself to go barebottom.

GOSKN5 · Dec 14, 2017

There are also ways around the sand dwelling wrasses as well.. i have kept melanarus, yellow coris and leopard in these tanks also...

Cory · Dec 14, 2017

I was always a bb fan. However i have crushed coral now. It doesnt blow around at all. I added it because vinegar is too efficient at removing nutrients.