I want to go bare bottom

[eaze333]

I am thinking I want to go bare bottom. Alright, in about 3 months I have to move. I will be moving my existing 75 gallon to new address. I want to go with a bare bottom because about another year after this move I will be moving again long distance and I will do a planned upgrade to 180 gallons. So in the interim bare bottom seems the most logical. I am looking for any advice as to what to put under my rock. I like the eggcrate idea since it is cheap, although starboard seems pretty cool as well, just more expensive. My concern with the eggcrate is that I don't want to see it. I am looking to see if anyone can shed experience with either method and perhaps some pics. I would like to see how both look in others tanks, also what color of starboard is best. Also in regards to flow. I have a mix of sps and lps. Is it necessary to have extra flow pointed at the bottom to keep detritus suspended? I am not sure that I understand the difference of detritus on the bare glass vs sand. If I siphon regularly when I do water changes is that sufficient?

 

[ritter6788]

I think eggcrate would trap more detritus than you would want compared to BB or Starboard. Even if you point powerheads down there will still be some that gets trapped and difficult to vacuum out.

 

[Steelerfan747]

I agree with the above comment. Putting egg crate defeats the purpose of going bb. If you want to go bb then just do it, just try to make sure your scape is solid.

 

[eaze333]

so is the rock directly on the glass ok, provided I have a secure scape?

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

so is the rock directly on the glass ok, provided I have a secure scape?

Yup, just be sure the rock is very secure.

 

[wsurf4me]

I've always been nervous to put the rock directly on the glass, pressure points and falls. I've always used starboard, nice clean look and it's very easy to siphon off the crud as it collects in a corner.

 

[Young Frankenstein]

Want to try something new ? Paul B has an undergavel filter for 40 years and I am also thinking of it. Undergravel filter are not used by reefers, it has been like that since we all had DSB's in the beginning. The way I would build it, is with a thicker media so that the holes don't get clogged. The way I would use it is to do water changes only. Turn on the pump and dispose of all the water and everything that is trapped in the media. Just an idea.

PetSmart - Top Fin Premium Undergravel Filter customer reviews - product reviews - read top consumer ratings

 

[Young Frankenstein]

Note: I don't know if this works. The advantage would be better look and bacterial increase, lower nitrate due to cleaning.

 

[eaze333]

It is an interesting idea. I will give it some thought, it would be a good experiment to see how it works out.

 

[eaze333]

There is actually a LFS near me that has been running all of his saltwater tanks in the store(about 20) on under gravel filters for the past 25 years. Although he doesn't have a ton of coral in the store, mostly fish and inverts

 

[Young Frankenstein]

There is actually a LFS near me that has been running all of his saltwater tanks in the store(about 20) on under gravel filters for the past 25 years. Although he doesn't have a ton of coral in the store, mostly fish and inverts

Doing water changes and cleaning the sand at the same time ........thats a blessing. Anyone else having any thoughts on this ?

 

[64Ivy]

I've been a barebottom [Berlin] fan since setting up my reeftank in 1997 and I've always simply placed the rock directly on the bottom; usually the larger, heavier pieces first and the smaller and more uniquely shaped pieces stacked on top. Never had a slide. Though stability is the key, I try to leave several spaces between the lower rocks in particular in order to facilitate flow and thereby eliminate dead spots. I will also use either returns or a few powerheads down there to keep much of the detritus in suspension. Helps a lot.