Bare or Sand

[Scarybo]

I've been out of the hobby for several years. I've noticed many changes since I have been back. Technology is amazing now. The knowledge of the average hobbyist has advanced, and everyone seems to run bare bottom. I understand the main reason, husbandry and nutrient export. I like the clean look ,but prefer sand. What is everyone's opinion.

 

[helen ann]

I am a sand girl but now starting to like the BB
@I Take Cars just did a beautiful BB tank ...
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/deep-blue-90-new-build.246911/

 

[Playa-1]

I prefer the look of a sand substrate.

 

[Scarybo]

Also have concerns about rocks sitting on the glass

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Ya like Sand get the sand

Also have concerns about rocks sitting on the glass

Just prepair for it. Clean it. Mak sure you can get to the spots that will need stirring etc Go thick grain for high flow etc etc. it's like choosing a dog. If it's got long hair. Your gonna need to brush.

Me. I like sand too.

 

[Ljaus]

I'm bb and I'm enjoying it. At the end of the day it's personal preference. I just dislike sand

 

[cracker]

I like the look of sand but can see the lower maintenance side to bare.

 

[tomtom2245]

Sand all the way! Just looks more natural.

 

[JMMJ13902]

I like both but I prefer barebottom, it keeps tank so clean...nicest thing about barebottom is your fish will learn to eat food from the bottom so anything I drop in they will clean them all up, with sand they won't see the left over food and those will eventually become nitrates/phosphates factory if manual husbandry is not done regularly. Just my 2cents.

Here is my 120gal BB tank.

 

[favites]

I cannot deny I love the look of sand and the creatures that make the sand bottom their home, but having had both sand and BB in my 90g sps tank, I am convinced given my tank husbandry and time constraints etc. that my corals would not look nearly as good without the nutrient/export control I get with BB. My tank bottom is 25% covered with zoos growing over the bottom glass as well as some sps colonies. I think(hope) in a few years my BB will be just 'not a sand bottom' and will be thriving aesthetically and biologically.
I have a non sps tank with a sand bottom and all the critters, and find that very easy to maintain...

Mark

 

[helen ann]

I like both but I prefer barebottom, it keeps tank so clean...nicest thing about barebottom is your fish will learn to eat food from the bottom so anything I drop in they will clean them all up, with sand they won't see the left over food and those will eventually become nitrates/phosphates factory if manual husbandry is not done regularly. Just my 2cents.

Here is my 120gal BB tank.

Amazing!!!

 

[runzwithscissors]

While I have a penchant for "bare bottoms", I do prefer the sand.. (GO BLUE!)

 

[Scarybo]

While I have a penchant for "bare bottoms", I do prefer the sand.. (GO BLUE!)

GO BLUE!!! Been a fun season.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

I like sand. I went with larger grain (reef flakes by tropic Eden). I've seen some stellar tanks using that sand with high flow.

 

[Scarybo]

I like sand. I went with larger grain (reef flakes by tropic Eden). I've seen some stellar tanks using that sand with high flow.

How do you like the reef flakes? Have heard great things. Less rinsing and holds up to high flow.

 

[helen ann]

I like sand. I went with larger grain (reef flakes by tropic Eden). I've seen some stellar tanks using that sand with high flow.

That is the sand that I just put in the new tank ... loving it.

 

[twilliard]

sand- bacterial population

 

[Lynn52]

I've been pondering the same question for the last month or so. I have been leaning toward bare bottom but the reef flakes sound intriguing.