Looking for filtration tips for sps keepers running a bare bottom display

[Smite]

I've been flip flopping between sand and no sand on my current build. With it being such an shallow tank and being just about 100% acropora I've made the decision to go bare bottom. I may let a few of my favias encrust the bottom glass but other than that acro dominance FTW.

The rock will be pulled from my current tank thats been running for close to 2 years now with minimal sand and transfered directly to this system with all my sps. This will be my first BB display tank and I wanted to get some insight from those running BB with sps dominant displays as far as how you are running your sump.

1) What is your sump layout?
2) Do you run any filtration bricks, siporax or something for added filtration/surface area?
3) If running a refugium, what does it look like? Just a circling chaeto ball or do you have a deep sandbed to offset the display with other types of macros?
4) Do you find it essential to dose varying bacteria?
5) How do you size your skimmer load rating to water volume. Ex. overrated - under or actual rating?

If you keep sps AND have long term experience with both BB and sanded displays then please tell me any difference you find that I may be overlooking going into this change.


Thanks for any and all input, and of course a picture is always welcome!

I'd just like to add I am set on bare bottom, so aside from listing a few differences between the two as far as husbandry ect, please keep this bare bottom specific and not sand VS bb (if possible )


My current layout plan is (bashsea 3015 sump) refugium>skimmer>filter floss>return. Eventually a frag tank will be attached.

 

[X-37B]

My bare bottom 120 with 40 breeder sump. Been running 16 months now.
Minimal aquascape of 75 ish lbs of 1/2 live rock from my 2 year old nano and 1/2 caribsea.
Never saw a cycle and started adding corals at 2 months.
Sump runs a 7" filter sock, Tunze 9410 dc skimmer, small 1 cup carbon reactor, carx, and 3 liters of eheim substrate pro in a mesh bag.
Skimmer is rated at 300 gallons but really about 150 with a decently stocked tank.
I run no baffles in my sump.
I run manmade media in my Tunze carx and dose DSR trace daily.
Tank has been very stable.
Check out my build thread for more pics and info.

 

[Smite]

@90's reefer nice tank, gonna check the build out now!

 

[kenchilada]

Sand sucks, you’ll be fine.

I wouldn’t put a dirty detritus-trap fuge in there. A few small rocks for pods and a ball of chaeto is plenty. I’m not a big fuge fan though.

The fact that you’re using mature rock is a huge plus (assuming it’s healthy and not nutrient-bound).

 

[Scorpius]

Stay away from sand. It's a fussy maintenance trap of a time bomb.

 

[Smite]

Sand sucks, you’ll be fine.

I wouldn’t put a dirty detritus-trap fuge in there. A few small rocks for pods and a ball of chaeto is plenty. I’m not a big fuge fan though.

The fact that you’re using mature rock is a huge plus (assuming it’s healthy and not nutrient-bound).

That's true, if I was going to do sand it would be 6+ inches in the fuge so I'd be looking for it to trap detritus. Might be a total pain in the **** though and I'm thinking if anything I may add a brightwell block in the sump. Or siporax in a reactor if need be.

You have to define nutrient bound lol. I do have a higher nutrient system no3 25-30ppm;po4 .35-.45 BUT all the corals being transferred with the rock are accustomed to those levels. I actually hope they will transfer the same and slowly lower over time for the sake of my corals.

My main goal is to really be able to crank up the flow. I follow the moonshiners trace element program and limit my water changes. That's a total pain with sand.

I've heard BB systems are harder to stabilize but hopefully aged rock will help there.

What method do you use for nutrient export?

 

[Smite]

Stay away from sand. It's a fussy maintenance trap of a time bomb.

That's the plan!

What is your sump layout and method of filtering/nutrient export and general maintenance for your BB system?

 

[Scorpius]

That's the plan!

What is your sump layout and method of filtering/nutrient export and general maintenance for your BB system?

Filter sock. Oversized skimmer. Tiny bit of carbon changed weekly. 10% weekly water change. Blow rockwork off weekly and stir everything up. Works for me since I work 6-7 days a week.

 

[TexasTodd]

I agree. No time bomb. If you want sand I'd put it in a fuge where you can remove if needed. As corals grow I just keep adding more flow. Up to two return pumps with eductors and 5x MP40's currently on a 215g.

I've run other BB SPS in the past. This one is about 2.5 years in with a few 12-18" colonies from frags.

 

[Smite]

I agree. No time bomb. If you want sand I'd put it in a fuge where you can remove if needed. As corals grow I just keep adding more flow. Up to two return pumps with eductors and 5x MP40's currently on a 215g.

I've run other BB SPS in the past. This one is about 2.5 years in with a few 12-18" colonies from frags.

Good to hear!

 

[TexasTodd]

I use a big skimmer, skim wet, and 10% W/C weekly. I blow off rocks and stir everything up at WC. I now use Red Sea Colors along with Alk and CA needs. Small fuge reverse lighted.