Bare bottom with no rock or sand

Johnnyboy87 · Aug 26, 2021

First time posting. I'm starting a new very cool and different 120g tank with a 30g sump/Refugium/skimmer. I started reefing a year ago with a 150g tub with no sump and skimmer sitting inside of tub. I went with lots of sand and live rock but that all came with many pests. I controlled the pests naturally with some cool shrimp and fish.
Is it possible to have a healthy tank with just marine pure block and no sand or rock so that pests won't be a problem. Just bacteria and lots of time. I figured I could always add dry sand or dry rock later. I would appreciate any advice or help.

I'm officially addicted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Clowns-corals-cats · Aug 26, 2021

Bacteria doesn't live in the water it lives on the rock and Substrate. You could do batebottom with no sand but that comes with its own issues like frequent bacteria blooms possibly. You could use sponge filters for a place for bacteria to build but I think you need rock no matter what.