Bare bottom or sand in a frag tank?

[wrfreeman]

I've seen people use both, but wondered what's truly the best model for setting up a frag tank. Substrate and rock or just glass and racks? It seems like you would have to have some live rock in there to maintain the cycle. Someone mentioned an HOB fuge with rubble in another post. Maybe that's all that's needed. Thoughts?

 

[Jdavison911]

I haven't had a tank in a while but on my last system I had 2 40 shallow frag tanks and had crushed coral on the bottom. I did this in case a zoa or ply came off the plug or a shroom it still would have something to grab on. My sps frag tank was bare. This was mine and when I build my new system I will do the same.

 

[AppleJack]

In frag tanks I prefer the look of clean tank and glass. It makes the tanks look better. As well as cleaning better. I would plum it so you can have a sump as well. And in the sump have a refugium containing the rock and sand to help the biological filtration.

 

[wrfreeman]

Would a skimmer be necessary? Just rubble and sand in the fuge?

 

[Gundo]

Bare bottom and I like to paint the bottom glass black. Can you plumb it into your DT?

 

[Wrx5803]

The big question is will this be attached to a main system? If not then I would highley recomend live rock and the sand is cometely personal. It help with bactetia but bare bottom also lets you remove anything that settled with a water change. My frag tank is plumbed in and all I have is 2 pieces of rock for a future fish to hide around. No sand and a blower on the bottom to keep it clean.