please read black bear bottom

Justin D · Jun 1, 2016

I'm thinking of going bare black bottom with no Sand on a 11-foot aquarium what's your thoughts pros and cons thanks

cjd · Jun 2, 2016

Personally not a fan of bare bottom just for aesthetics alone. Pros to no sand is easier to keep a clean system and high flow without worry of sand storms. Just be mindful if you go no sand not to get sand dwelling creatures. A living mat of coral is always pleasing to look at that covers the span of the tank , but an 11 ft. tank , good god that's a lot of life!

Sabellafella · Jun 2, 2016

Justin D said:
I'm thinking of going bare black bottom with no Sand on a 11-foot aquarium what's your thoughts pros and cons thanks

Sweeeet! But going to need alot of 2part/media for this one. Theres really no cons other then stuff like scratches, coralline algae drinking your 2part, unsightly detritus. My lfs runs a 16 foot shallow bb, and it looks great!

Justin D · Jun 2, 2016

cjd said:
Personally not a fan of bare bottom just for aesthetics alone. Pros to no sand is easier to keep a clean system and high flow without worry of sand storms. Just be mindful if you go no sand not to get sand dwelling creatures. A living mat of coral is always pleasing to look at that covers the span of the tank , but an 11 ft. tank , good god that's a lot of life!

Cjd it's going to be fish only tangs angels and clown fish with 350 lbs Indonesia live rock and about 300 lbs of base rock

Justin D · Jun 2, 2016

Sabellafella said:
Sweeeet! But going to need alot of 2part/media for this one. Theres really no cons other then stuff like scratches, coralline algae drinking your 2part, unsightly detritus. My lfs runs a 16 foot shallow bb, and it looks great!

Sabellafella your lfs store 16 foot tank bottom glass or is it black?

Acrononomus · Jun 3, 2016

I'm a fan, that's how I did mine, black bb, detritus wish still settle in some parts flow in large tanks can be troublesome as I'm finding out.... I like no sand so I can put favias across the bottom, that's a lot of sand to fill that large of a tank too, added weight, can scratch glass, if your going high flow sps system the sand will get blown all over the place. However if there's no sand you will be limited in some of the wrasse you can keep as well as some inverts. Overall I'm very pleased with no sand... Sand almost always gets nasty algae growing on it in my experience , I've seen very few tanks with immaculate white sand ....