Benefits of having sand

[Polyp Addict]

Are there real benefits of having sand in the tank? Do corals need the nutrients and bacteria from aging sand bed? I’m asking because I’m stuck with keeping sand that I’ve had for about 6 months or going bare bottom.

 

[W1ngz]

It's mostly aesthetic and doesn't contribute (at least not significantly) to the nutrition of anything the tank. There is a lot of place in the sand for bacteria drive the nitrogen cycle. Some fish need sand because that's where they hunt or sleep.

Long term you might find it easier to keep sand clean, unless you're ok with coralline algae and encrusting corals on the bottom glass.

 

[fishguy242]

bare bottom forever