Bare bottom vs deep sand bed vs some sand

[phixman]

Starting a new tank which is the Red Sea 350. I plan on keeping primarily sps. I currently have a 20 gallon nuvo with a deep sand bed , maybe 2-3 inches . I can’t seem to get my nitrates over 0 , same for my phosphates , in the past they were detectable , but not anymore. Also I keep having film algae grow on the back wall, which I think may be related to the DSB. I want to know if bare bottom is the best choice for an sps tank, what can I use instead of a deep sand bed ?

 

[James M]

Definitely go bare bottom if you plan on doing a sps tank

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I prefer a natural looking layer of sand on the bottom. I think bare bottoms look like an aquarium, and thick sand beds waste space while providing little if any benefit (IMO).

 

[BZOFIQ]

I vote little sand.

 

[Gareth elliott]

Bare bottom is easier to maintain by far. But i cant bring myself to do on any permanent aquarium. Might only add surface area for critters or a place to sleep for some wrasse function wise, but look wise. I keep aquariums i want to look at [emoji23]

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

2in is not what I’d call deep. I don’t belive the green film is related to the sand bed.

If you like the way it looks your probably fine.

Tank w 2-3 in sand bed.

 

[hart24601]

Bare bottom. You can use starboard or try various expoxy with sand if you don't like BB looks, but if you want SPS it's the way to go for the turnover you are going to want. Grow acros, bn, monties right off the bottom.

 

[Oshengems]

Voting some sand same reasons as above sand gives your tank character makes them look more natural and some of your creatures appreciate it. That said since I’m going the sps route I would love to crank up my mp40 above 50% without a sand storm I stupidly went for the super fine sand, If so try to get the thickest grain you will enjoy without having a freaking sandstorm and half the sandbed in your sump smh

 

[Forestrain]

Bare is cleaner &you can run more flow.
Sand=dirt,mud,waste &dirt

 

[Don Lidtke]

I had planned on going with sand until I saw the BRS videos on flow and what they and WWC do. While I like the look of sand and the advantage of sand the first couple of years, this tank is a long term setup so I will go with bare bottom.

 

[lbacha]

If you want a lower flow mixed reef or lps tank then sand is fine. If you want a heavy sps tank go bare bottom. As for natural look I’ve dove a lot of reef faces and there is hardly any sand to be found anywhere the coral colonies are growing so I would argue barebottom is just as natural based on the part of the reef you are mimicking

 

[Thakki]

+1 for bare bottom. keep the tank clean and less maintenance.

 

[van7271]

IMHO I thought the whole point is to mimic the natural habitat of the ocean as much as possible. Haven’t seen any clear ocean floors yet. But we are in the hobby for our own reasons so I say go for what makes you happy.

 

[Acorral]

Love DSB here...

 

[David S]

Have used a 4" DSB in my 38 gallon for more than 5 years.
I believe it has helped keep nutrients down.
I do not have any issues with sand in spite of the fact that I have 2 MP10's at either end of the tank (each one maxing at 85%).
Also have an Icecap 1k Gyre set at 30% max. When I tried 40% there was some sand displacement below the gyre.
Oh, also have a ton of Acros which are all doing great.

 

[mandarin417]

On my current tank, I chose larger substrate and a bunch of REBORN CALCIUM REACTOR MEDIA which looks great on the bottom and gives my diamond gobies something to play with.

 

[Jax15]

On my current tank, I chose larger substrate and a bunch of REBORN CALCIUM REACTOR MEDIA which looks great on the bottom and gives my diamond gobies something to play with.

Interesting idea, can you share some pics? I’d be interested to see how that looks. Gearing up for a new build and considering options. Currently thinking a medium SB with a heavy sand grain for mixed reef/primarily SPS.

 

[mandarin417]

Interesting idea, can you share some pics? I’d be interested to see how that looks. Gearing up for a new build and considering options. Currently thinking a medium SB with a heavy sand grain for mixed reef/primarily SPS.

I'll take a picture tomorrow when the lights are on and post.

 

[Pmj]

So all of you with no sand just don't like wrasses? Don't know if i could go without them.

 

[hawkeye792001]

I think there are definately advantages to bare bottom.

I personally have agronite. I believe the special grade stuff. I have been increasing flow with a gyre pump and actually ordered a 2nd a couple days ago.

I dont have sand blowing all over. I figure I have about 20x flow in my tank now. Thinks are growing fine.

I have noticed some sps are coloring up a little more. A leather coral is really ticked at me. The rest of my LPS seem to wave around more, but open just fine.