Bare Bottom Users ??

[Emoney]

After I moved I decided to go bare bottom. Most equipment and parameters have stayed the same, with the exception of a bio denitrator that I added. I use to be able to keep z-p's with great success and now it seem like a struggle to just keep some of them alive. and my other growth isn't what it use to be at all...Was wondering if adding a remote sand bed might be beneficial ? or any other tips or tricks from the bare bottom pros would be great!

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Bump!

 

[Emoney]

ttt

 

[kingator]

tagging along

 

[JMMJ13902]

Here is my bare bottom tank. Been going for 2 years with bare bottom....I like it but you definitely need DSB somewhere so I stock my refuium with at least 6" of sand.

 

[Emoney]

Nice looking tank! did you run a sand bed before going bare bottom ?

 

[JMMJ13902]

Thanks. I used to have crushed corals but hated it so took all out to go with bare bottom. Love it ever since...however without sand it kinda take away the look of ocean but as long as you setup your rockscape right....it will look much better.

 

[reefsUP]

I added a 40g refuge with 5" sand bed it made a big difference.

 

[DSP]

I think having a remote Deepsandbeds defeats the purpose of going barebottom.The sand bed will still trap stuff and raise nitrates.And the sandbed won't do anything good for your tank really as far as buffering.Sand will only help buffer if you ph drops super low which shouldn't ever happen in saltwater tanks and if it does everything would be dead by then anyway.

 

[jbreakers]

It look clean so far so good

 

[Saltgator]

I'm still on the fence as well at going BB. So, is there a need for a remote dsb (mine would go into the sump) or really no need?

Country Boy using tapatalk on his EVO

 

[solitude127]

Here is my bare bottom tank. Been going for 2 years with bare bottom....I like it but you definitely need DSB somewhere so I stock my refuium with at least 6" of sand.

I'm interested to know why you feel you definitely need a DSB. Thanks

 

[JMMJ13902]

I'm interested to know why you feel you definitely need a DSB. Thanks

Mainly for certain clean up crews that need to have a sand (ie. sand shifting star fish, nails....etc). Also I have a goby that do need to have sand. Sand helps maintain the PH stability and increase the good bacteria to grow.

 

[MoeManTheSnowMan]

I went bare bottom & everything looks great.

 

[JMMJ13902]

Here is my sump. DT is upstairs and all these are in the basement.

 

[kacrocorals581]

I think having a remote Deepsandbeds defeats the purpose of going barebottom.The sand bed will still trap stuff and raise nitrates.And the sandbed won't do anything good for your tank really as far as buffering.Sand will only help buffer if you ph drops super low which shouldn't ever happen in saltwater tanks and if it does everything would be dead by then anyway.

A sand bed dose help buffer your tank if you have a deep enough sand bed the anaerobic bacteria produces co2 as a byproduct of eating nitrate and the pockets of co2 under your sand bed have a low pH and consume the sand bed and in return buffers your aquarium. I set up two identical 20 gallons one bare bottom an one 5"dsb 4 yrs ago and all my test confirm this the DSB had a steady pH of 8.2 bare 7.8

 

[Emoney]

I understand about adding a remote DSB would kinda defeat the purpose of bare bottom to a extent.. But the reason for Bare bottom is to help keep excess nutrients under control? being able to clean the bottom and siphon out the junk was the main selling point. My growth has slowed down after going BB, and find it more difficult to keep z-p's is my main reason im considering adding a remote DSB..my thinking is I can always ditch the sand bed if im seeing ill effects