New tank sand bed or nothing at all

[Tristan H]

i just ordered a Red Sea reefer 425xl. My question is should I do a sand bed or just a empty floor. I have been seeing a lot of tanks with no sand in them?

 

[thetaggeffect]

completely up to you on what type of tank you would like to keep, as well as what type of critters you plan to keeping in there. The benefits of bare-bottom are the ability to increase overall flow and ease of detritus removal. I prefer the look of tanks with sandbeds, but they do add another task of keeping clean.

 

[Tristan H]

completely up to you on what type of tank you would like to keep, as well as what type of critters you plan to keeping in there. The benefits of bare-bottom are the ability to increase overall flow and ease of detritus removal. I prefer the look of tanks with sandbeds, but they do add another task of keeping clean.

Thanks

If I do go with sand is it better to go with a deep sand bed or a shallow bed. I heard shallow beds to need replaced sooner

 

[Maggie321]

I think, you go with whatever you like the look of. Mine is about 3.5 inches in some places and 5 in others. I like having a pistol shrimp because he changes the landscape and stirs my sand bed, so I don't have to (not that I would anyway). If I did not have a sand bed, I would not be able to have a pistol shrimp. But I also would not have to worry about what's in there as far as pests and detritus. I like a more natural looking tank so a sand bed is necessary, no matter how deep. Depending on your flow, some sand beds just get blown around. I like the look of a fine "sugar" sand, but it would not work in my tank. The choice is yours! You get to choose

 

[thetaggeffect]

Thanks

If I do go with sand is it better to go with a deep sand bed or a shallow bed. I heard shallow beds to need replaced sooner

They should not need replacement as long as you maintain them. occasionally turn sand and have a few sand sifting critters to help you out. I prefer a slightly shallow sandbed, probably 3" at the deepest.