Sand or bare bottom. Need advice

[billyocean]

BB is much easier to clean. Personally I prefer the sand look and just deal with the extra crap that comes with it. Have mostly sps and use CaribSea special grade. Tons of flow and only blows a spot in the back sand wise. All up to you. You could always go sand and remove it over time

 

[Petcrazyson]

With Sand:

1: Looks natural
2: Provides nutrient export
3: Lowers nitrates
4: Who doesn’t love a white clean sand bed
5a: Shelter for fish and inverts
5b: Allows for more variety of fish and inverts
6: free real-estate for (some) coral
7: Intrigues soon to be hobbyists

Bare-Bottom:

1: No “dirtys” (or at least far far less)
2: No worrying about sand kicking up
3: Easier to clean and to keep clean
4: MOAR flow is no problem
5: Reduction of detritus
6: Overall look is “fresh”
7: Intrigues soon to be hobbyists

 

[Petcrazyson]

Do you guys know of a site that can help gauge how much I need? Thinking 1.5-2 inches. Bottom of the tank is 48” by 20”. Also do you recommend this? Seems like a good price.

I would say 4 bags. Just MO.

 

[ReeferBill]

Thanks everyone. This community is always amazing. I got 4 bags of Caribbean Fiji pink. I’ll post pics of the build as I go. Always wanted a rimless water box. Found this online for a steal.

 

[Jmas4]

I like sand more as it looks more natural, but I am curious about bare bottom. For those who keep bare bottom/starboard, how do you keep it clean? Wont green film algae grow on it like how it does on glass?

 

[Petcrazyson]

Thanks everyone. This community is always amazing. I got 4 bags of Caribbean Fiji pink. I’ll post pics of the build as I go. Always wanted a rimless water box. Found this online for a steal.

I’ll be happy to see your build thread and follow along

 

[ReeferBill]

Awesome. Thanks.

 

[GOSKN5]

What’s the coral that is on the top left of the first picture. A gorgo?

yes, a big pink gorgonian.

 

[GOSKN5]

1. Sand doesn’t cause nitrates, these are formed through leftovers such as food and detritus. This can be dealt with through certain inverts such as Nassarius and Cerith Snails.
2. I personally don’t clean the sand and instead leave it. This preserves most if not all of the life in the sand and gives me a more active ecosystem.
3. How deep you make it is up to you. I personally recommend 1-2 inches minimum (This provides just enough sand for fish like wrasses to hide in). If you wanted something like a Jawfish then ideally 4 inches or more are needed. However if you don’t plan on any of these then you can just have a fine layer of sand.

I personally believe that keeping Wrasses and similar fish that use the sand bed as a survival technique should be kept with sand all the time. These fish have evolved to use the sand whether to use as a burrow or to completely hide in when sleeping or scared for a reason.

I agree about the wrasses and I should have clarified, I kept melanarus and coris in barebottom, but I had sand available did them to sleep in. I accomplished this a couple ways- a Tupperware container hidden in the back, or a small acrylic weir holding some sand. Both worked fine

 

[Nheko]

I am a fan of keeping sand in my tanks, for me looks more realistic.

 

[Dr. Jim]

Depends. Are you getting inhabitants that need sand? Like gobies and wrasses. You need 2-3 inches of sand for them. I like no sand for maintenance. I use Starbord. Don't go bare bottom glass use a sheet of white Starboard. Gives the look of sand except when Coraline grows over it. Bare glass bottom refects light up from the bottom and causes irregular coral growth. It also protects the glass from falling rocks. Here's a few pic with starboard bottoms.

1/2" x 48" x 48" White King StarBoard® ST HDPE Sheet | U.S. Plastic Corp.

King StarBoard® ST is our most scratch-resistant polymer making it an excellent construction material for cabinetry, case goods, and arch...

www.usplastic.com

Thanks for presenting this idea! One thing that I wonder about though is what happens when water becomes stagnant under the board. There must be some kind of anaerobic condition created so I have to wonder if that can be detrimental in any way if toxic gases are released. I'm guessing you haven't had a problem with that though!

 

[Dr. Jim]

I always go bare bottom but have a separate tank set up as a Deep Sand Bed Filter (6") and doubles as a algae filter if I want or need additional NO3/PO4 export. The DSB tank is usually around 10% (in gallons) as the main tank and is fed by a valve from the return pump's line.

 

[ScubaShane]

Thanks for presenting this idea! One thing that I wonder about though is what happens when water becomes stagnant under the board. There must be some kind of anaerobic condition created so I have to wonder if that can be detrimental in any way if toxic gases are released. I'm guessing you haven't had a problem with that though!

BRS Article: An Absolute Must for All Bare-Bottom Aquariums
Bare Bottom tanks have been around for a long time, and come with a lot of benefits, but they leave the bottom of your tank unprotected, and depending on the aquarium it may not be very appealing. Covering your tank's bottom glass or acrylic with a piece of ABS Plastic will add a layer of protection between your rocks and the glass, and also gives a much more pleasing appearance.

• 100% Reef Safe
• Aesthetically Pleasing
• Added Protection
• Easily Cut to Size
• Textured or Smooth Sides

We have used ABS plastic on many bare-bottom tanks and enjoy the look it gives much more than a traditional sandless aquarium. Many reefers use sand on the bottom of their aquariums but in the long run the small particles of sand can cause issues with trapping nutrients, obtaining the proper amount of flow, and even decreasing the life of your pumps and other equipment, which are some of the issues you do not need to worry about with a bare-bottom aquarium. In most cases, the weight of the rock will hold the plastic sheet in place, but a small amount of aquarium safe silicone can help seal the plastic to the bottom keeping detritus and other foreign objects from getting trapped under the plastic.

 

[jmichaelh7]

Can I add sand to a bare bottom covered in Corraline

 

[Jonify]

If we’re not keeping a pet sand bed, then what are we even doing?

 

[schooncw]

Just because you don't want sand, does not mean the tank has to be "Bare Bottom". The fish in this overstocked softie tank-including a sifting goby-are just fine.

 

[HawaiiTime]

I been running BB for the past 20 or so years. I really like them and the look. The flow removes all the crap or collects it in one corner to be siphoned out. The only tank I have with anything on the bottom is a under gravel filter with crushed corals and live rock. But it just to remind me of the early days. A few corals and seahorses in it.

I am 5 years into the hobby and I too am much happier with BB tank. I have only been BB for about 2 years, I find that lots of live rock is really all I need. I think we all start with crushed coral because that's "what we are suppose to do." I have several 5 gal. buckets of crushed coral sitting in storage...just in case??? LOL

 

[HawaiiTime]

If we’re not keeping a pet sand bed, then what are we even doing?

So true! Plus that is where a lot of the nasty tank pests hang out.

 

[jmichaelh7]

Adding sand to an existing tank does that increase die off from corraline ?

 

[Dom]

Actually, I'm putting together a 125 gallon. I've been considering going bare bottom. But I have another idea...

I'm going to leave the tank bottom bare, but, I'm going to place zoas of assorted colors on the bottom and allow them to grow and carpet the entire bottom of the tank.