sand vs no sand

[bruno21447]

K so bought me a 93 gallon cube that will be here next week. I did a search and didnt find much info. So figured I would ask. I am really considering going bare bottom on the new tank. What are some pros and cons of going bare? I will have a sump with a refugium in it. Thnx for any help.

 

[Coraloliseffect]

Bare bottom. Easier to clean get all the poo out
Thus easier to keep low nutrient anamals.
No sand to blow everywhere

less benifital bacteria area
Less diversity
Can't keep animals which use, need or burro in sand.
Looks more like a tank than reef (personal preference )

 

[RalphsReef]

I have two tanks. One bare bottom, the other with sand. I prefer the look of having sand. My bare bottom tank is more "dirty" than the one with sand. And the bare bottom has 2 MP40's running. Go figure.

 

[bruno21447]

Well dang it on the fence then with it. I really want to put some monti's on the bottom and though it would keep cleaner crazy it is dirty even with 2 mp's lol.

 

[Montaquelaveist]

I'm about to set my 220 i like sand but if you plan to keep SPS you may want to go bare bottom or do like I'm gonna do and go with a 1/4 in depth after placing all my rocks which i plan to use egg crate so that it won't move just my thought a lot of sand equals battles with NO3 and PO4

 

[ValorG]

I switched over from sand to barebottom and love it, I use white tile as a floor and love that I can put as much flow anywhere without having to worry about sand blowing.

 

[bruno21447]

what do you mean you use white tile? do you have pics?

 

[jtucker022187]

I have seen people take sand and basically cement it,(I forgot what they actually used) so you have the sand look but bare bottom benefits. Could be an option for ya

 

[ValorG]

what do you mean you use white tile? do you have pics?

Check out my tank thread for more details. https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/me...ing-diodes-light-build-do-yourself-heavy.html

 

[Flameback Pair]

If you go with sand, put the rock in first and put the sand on the outside of rock but not under rock. So if you want to take out the sand you won't have to dig under liverock to get it all.

 

[Dan1789]

That tile looks awesome. You don't get coralline on it?

 

[slate744]

I didn't even think about using tile that's awesome. Im in the process of setting up a new tank and now im not so sure i want to go with sand. Here's a pic of the tank im setting up.

 

[GHill762]

ooh.. cool tank, that stained-glass stand is awesome.. you going to put together a build thread?

 

[slate744]

Thanks. I thought about it, but most of it is done now. The only thing left is to finish setting up the sump and the aquascape. I think the stained glass looks really cool. I've never seen it done before. In the canopy i have 2 150 mh, 2 Vho, and 12 led moon lights with cooling fans on both sides.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Shallow sand bed for me.

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

I like bb or 1" sandbed.

 

[Railcar79]

Here is how I look at it. Do you want a glass box with fish and corals, or would you rather have your own piece of the ocean? bare bottom may be easier, but they always look dirty, and far from realistic. sand bed brings the reality.

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

But your 'piece of the ocean' is still a glass (or acrylic) box, with fish and coral. You just add sand.

 

[mepling]

Sand

I prefer sand. For one, with bare bottom, when its dirty it really is noticeable. With sand you have all the little critters to help keep it clean. And it looks better, more natural.

 

[Sun357]

I prefer the natural look so always sand.