Sand or not to sand?

[Zohar78]

Im in the process of setting up an oceanic 130g tank with triton 44 trigger systems sump. the tank is 60long, 18inches deep, and 28 inches tall. Being a tall tank, im Planning on setting up as sandless on this tank because it will be easier to clean and increase the flow. I know some corals, animals/critters prefer sand, and some biological benefit to running sand in tanks. what animals and corals would you have to do something different because of no sand and how did you get around it if its something you really wanted?
thanks.

 

[Salty Lemon]

Everywhere I read, sand comes down to personal preference. If you want creatures in your tank that live in the sand -- gobies or a sand sifting star, etc, then sand will be the way to go. If you want easy tank maintenance, then a bare tank is the way go. It is up to you. I'll be honest...my diamond goby is my favorite fish in my tank. He is constantly working, building caves, moving sand around from pile to pile. He is fun to watch. I could not have him without sand. But once again...that is my personal preference.

 

[Bulk Reef Supply Verified Sponsor]

I agree with @Salty Lemon. If a certain species requires sand (sifting gobies, stars, sand sleeping wrasse, etc.) then it is important that we provide the habitat that those creatures need. In most cases, this simply means not including those species in our bare bottom tanks. If you can't live without them, then sand is the way to go.
If you decide to go the sand route, the special grade sand is one of my favorites as it is a little larger in grain size than other popular options like Fiji pink. This means that it won't blow around as easily, but is still small enough for most sand dwelling or sifting livestock.

 

[Rabe]

I chose CaribSea Oolite Live Sand. It's about the finest sand there is. I chose it for one reason; I wanted sand sifting gobies. I'm sure someone would tell be I could go to a larger grain, but I feel it was the right choice.


There are some pro's and cons to fine grain sand.

Pro's:
1. It's great for sand sifting gobies
2. It's prettier IMO
3. It's easier for the cleaner crew

Cons:
1. Water flow is tricky - finer sand tends to blow around and create 'holes' in moderate to high flow.
2. Vacuuming is tricky at best. I resort to other methods.
3. You use more fine sand for a given depth

In the end it came down to inhabitant requirements and aesthetics. I would do it again given the same reasons, but if I didn't have sand sifting critters, I may choose a coarser grain. Also, if I planned on getting corals with high flow requirements, that would affect my decision as well.


I've had coarse substrate on other tanks in the past as well.

 

[Don Lidtke]

I am currently following the BRS/WWC video series and because of this series I have changed my mind about sand. I am going to go bare bottom. Ryan mentioned that in the first year or so the sand bottom tanks did better than bare bottom but after that the bare bottom tank did better. Ryan also mentioned that bare bottom tanks were more viable in the long term.

 

[mginani]

Can you tell me which video it is that he shares this? I would be interested in viewing.

 

[mginani]

Can you tell me which video it is that he shares this? I would be interested in viewing.

 

[randyBRS]

Can you tell me which video it is that he shares this? I would be interested in viewing.

Here you go.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/vide...our-reef-tanks-the-brs-wwc-system-ep10-brstv/

 

[smiley28]

I chose CaribSea Oolite Live Sand. It's about the finest sand there is. I chose it for one reason; I wanted sand sifting gobies. I'm sure someone would tell be I could go to a larger grain, but I feel it was the right choice.


There are some pro's and cons to fine grain sand.

Pro's:
1. It's great for sand sifting gobies
2. It's prettier IMO
3. It's easier for the cleaner crew

Cons:
1. Water flow is tricky - finer sand tends to blow around and create 'holes' in moderate to high flow.
2. Vacuuming is tricky at best. I resort to other methods.
3. You use more fine sand for a given depth

In the end it came down to inhabitant requirements and aesthetics. I would do it again given the same reasons, but if I didn't have sand sifting critters, I may choose a coarser grain. Also, if I planned on getting corals with high flow requirements, that would affect my decision as well.


I've had coarse substrate on other tanks in the past as well.

I agree large grain doesn’t look as nice. However, I’ve never ran oolite myself as I barely manage to keep large grains in place.

 

[mginani]

Here you go.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/vide...our-reef-tanks-the-brs-wwc-system-ep10-brstv/

Thanks. Did I also hear that the sand was being removed from the BRS 160? How is that going to be done?

 

[randyBRS]

Thanks. Did I also hear that the sand was being removed from the BRS 160? How is that going to be done?

It sure is and actually it is already done. I think Ryan also mentions the approach for this in the video I linked above, but basically it was taking about 1-2 cups of sand out each week during a water change. Overall process was just under a couple of months.

 

[Zohar78]

we talked about the fish, and it looks like quite possibly nassarius snails. Snails wise it looks like stick with Astrea, trochus, ceriths, turbos.
Coral wise, is there any that prefer sand or should stay away from for bare bottom? There is just so many different species in fish, invertebrates, and coral..