Sand, bare bottom, or...? The deliberations continue!

gpwdr · Oct 1, 2015

Nobody has Tonga Shelf (Flat Plates) Dry Live Rock which completely cover the bottom. After all what do corals like to grow on?

Eckolancer · Oct 1, 2015

SPS grows nice and recently sold some colonies and added sand for some clams.

ritter6788 · Oct 1, 2015

No sand or bare bottom, I'm going coral bottom.

Hard to get a good pic due to the glass angle and excuse that zombie digitata. Lol it keeps dying and growing back.

gpwdr · Oct 1, 2015

Whats that! Spring thing-ee in the middle?

BigMike81 · Oct 1, 2015

Love my sand, and so do my crabs.

ws6kid · Oct 1, 2015

I am getting ready t setup my 210g and thinking deep sand. Had it in my first tank and thought everything looked perfect. Was just some simple stuff but just seemed right. I am thinking 7-10"! Put sand in. Sticks are pretty, but the creatures in the sand and on it are awesome too.

Crackem · Oct 1, 2015

My new 120 barebottom that will be 100 % sps with a few high end chalices. I do have a question tho, since this is my first bb tank. How do I syphon hard to reach areas?

ritter6788 · Oct 1, 2015

Crackem said:
My new 120 barebottom that will be 100 % sps with a few high end chalices. I do have a question tho, since this is my first bb tank. How do I syphon hard to reach areas?

Easiest way would be to add powerheads to keep detritus suspended.

Viperdoug · Oct 2, 2015

I just got back into the hobby after shutting down my first tank that I ran for four years. New tank is a 93 cube with a bare bottom. I love this tank. The look is so clean and the only thing you really notice when you look at the tank are the bright corals. I sure am glad to be back!

MJC · Oct 2, 2015

hatfielj said:
For me its bare bottom all the way. Its great being able to easily siphon debris whenever I see it accumulate. Also, I like the extra real estate for corals. Its awesome having a bottom covered with colorful zoas or montis. But, I agree that it comes down to aesthetics for the most part. If you really like how sand looks and you're willing to work at keeping it clean, then by all means use sand. One annoying thing about sand for me was always how much it would blow all over the place and get on things I didn't want it on. I don't think either way has any real advantage in terms of water quality or coral health, etc. I've seen amazing, unbelievable tanks with sand and without. Its all about what you like!

+1
I use the HDPE cutting board 3/4" with a 1" gap all the way around the tank for easy siphoning.

Helenareefer · Oct 2, 2015

I hate these threads. Just when you think you have your planned set up all figured out...

Beautifull tanks guys! Uhg.

Saltgator · Oct 2, 2015

Y'all with BB, how or where do you place your clams if you have them?

Leishman · Oct 2, 2015

Just getting back in the hobby. Had to add sand.

s2nhle · Oct 2, 2015

Very beautiful MJC. What is the tank dimension?

shred5 · Oct 2, 2015

I have been in the hobby an extremely long time and have used all methods including crushed coral. They all work, I have had successful with all of them and seen successful aquariums of all types. I have seen dsb that last way over 10 years. They just all need to be set up right.

Personally my new tank I went shallow sandbed, I just think it looks natural. I have done lots of snorkeling and scuba and there is sand everywhere.

Plus I like things like cucumbers, conches etc. To me bare bottom looks weird even with corals growing on it, no where is that flat in the ocean. I also have a Moyers Dragonet and the sand bed gives more places for copepods to breed, hide and live.

ritter6788 · Oct 2, 2015

Saltgator said:
Y'all with BB, how or where do you place your clams if you have them?

I had a huge derasa sitting on my glass for years. For rock dwelling clams you can buy or make a "clam stand". Basically just a slightly bowl shaped rock to place the clam on. Keeps them facing the right direction too.

FTS 1/26/14 by ritter6788, on Flickr

shornik · Oct 2, 2015

Great thread... My informal tally is that BB is if you want to create more real estate for corals and that is what you really want to focus on, and sand bed (of any kind) for a more realistic reef and the environment it creates for fish, and to allow you to keep the greatest variety of fish. I personally have about a 1-2" sand bed, and love it. I love seeing the sand bad change all the time as my wrasses sleep, and to see various fish (dottyback, and damsel) excavate caves. I have a huge excavation underway now by one of my damsel and I think its just the coolest thing and hey you gotta give the fish something to do in the little boxes we keep them in

shred5 · Oct 2, 2015

ritter6788 said:
I had a huge derasa sitting on my glass for years. For rock dwelling clams you can buy or make a "clam stand". Basically just a slightly bowl shaped rock to place the clam on. Keeps them facing the right direction too.

I use the clam holders from Alternative Reef no matter what. Sand or no sand, it just makes them easier to move.

Saltgator · Oct 2, 2015

ritter6788 said:
I had a huge derasa sitting on my glass for years. For rock dwelling clams you can buy or make a "clam stand". Basically just a slightly bowl shaped rock to place the clam on. Keeps them facing the right direction too.
FTS 1/26/14 by ritter6788, on Flickr

Good deal. Just was concerned for the squamosas I like keeping. I appreciate bud and great pic too

uniquecorals · Oct 2, 2015

ritter6788 said:
No sand or bare bottom, I'm going coral bottom.

Hard to get a good pic due to the glass angle and excuse that zombie digitata. Lol it keeps dying and growing back.

Epic.