NEW SPS Build Going bare bottom, ABS sheet or bare glass?

[HomeSlizzice]

Like the title says, I have a new SPS build I’m going to be starting in a few weeks. The tank is a CAD Lights 45G Shallow, and I am going to be going SPS dominated inspired by the BRS/WWC Hybrid series. I want the tank to be bare bottom, with encrusting montiporas eventually covering the bottom. Should I go with just the bare glass, or an ABS Sheet in white or black from my local plastics shop?

Thanks!

 

[CC13]

Tagging along...

 

[Amps Reef Life]

I think its a matter of opinion. I haven't posted my build thread for my SPS tank yet but I went BB and bare glass. I hear the glass can cause some reflections but I saw this as a good opportunity for more par under the sps lol. I see some reflection on my tank now but I have to be at the right angle to see it. That's until it gets dirty or coraline grows over it. A sheet will provide some protection to the glass while getting rid of the reflection.

 

[HomeSlizzice]

Bump, really looking for suggestions... obviously just bare glass is the easiest, but are there any downsides I’m not considering my not covering it?

 

[Amps Reef Life]

Bump, really looking for suggestions... obviously just bare glass is the easiest, but are there any downsides I’m not considering my not covering it?

I am surprised no one else has commented. You can search this topic and find older threads about this.

Here is a BRS video

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/video/view/whats-on-the-bottom-of-your-bare-bottom-tank-ask-brstv/

 

[lactose]

I went bare bottom with white ABS plastic (textured up). I didn't like the bare glass, black was too dark for me and the white looked kinda like sand so it was a transition for my sand loving eyes I will update my thread with that (so backed up) and put up pictures.

I know white can look dirty but as it is bare bottom I can just siphon/blow away any detritus.

 

[HomeSlizzice]

I went bare bottom with white ABS plastic (textured up). I didn't like the bare glass, black was too dark for me and the white looked kinda like sand so it was a transition for my sand loving eyes I will update my thread with that (so backed up) and put up pictures.

I know white can look dirty but as it is bare bottom I can just siphon/blow away any detritus.

Thank you!! This is the type of feedback I was hoping for

 

[Scrubber_steve]

Bump, really looking for suggestions... obviously just bare glass is the easiest, but are there any downsides I’m not considering my not covering it?

bare glass

coralline algae

 

[Saveafish]

I used tile.

 

[HomeSlizzice]

bare glass

coralline algae

This also looks great! Do you have any corals growing on the bottom encrusting to the glass/coralline?

 

[Scrubber_steve]

This also looks great! Do you have any corals growing on the bottom encrusting to the glass/coralline?

 

[H2Ocooled]

I went bare bottom with white ABS plastic (textured up). I didn't like the bare glass, black was too dark for me and the white looked kinda like sand so it was a transition for my sand loving eyes I will update my thread with that (so backed up) and put up pictures.

I know white can look dirty but as it is bare bottom I can just siphon/blow away any detritus.

I would love to see how this turned out for you.

 

[Ross Petersen]

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