sand vs no sand
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KorL
Well-Known Member
Sounds like you need to either turn down the power of the pumps or go with a larger size sand grain
Or try to scatter some small pieces of live rock in the sand to help keep sand in place
Or try to scatter some small pieces of live rock in the sand to help keep sand in place
Av8Bluewater
Active Member
Put a rock under the vortechs and/or just give it more time. I have 2 MP40s and an MP60 with Fine oolite sandin a 215. It took a few months to settle down. It still blows a little but only when all pumps really go full blast and still not too bad. Sometimes you just gotta give it time.. but I'm sure a lot depends on the rock layout. I started to give up on this sand but my laziness paid off... kinda.
You can put your powerheads a bit down the glass, and point them slightly up, so that they are making a wave at the surface. Also, don't use powder fine sand, as stated above, use a bigger grain.
But, you don't have to use a bottom at all, there are plenty of tank that utilize bare bottoms.
But, you don't have to use a bottom at all, there are plenty of tank that utilize bare bottoms.
Pfisherman
Active Member
Im not gonna heist this thread, but I want to add to this question...
What kind of additional equipment will one need when going sand free? You need something to get the nitrates down, the biggest benefit of the DSB especially is that it aids in denitrification. That being said it also is likely to become a nutrient sink and the leading cause (debatable) of old tank syndrome. Now, is it correct to assume that a skimmer and chaeto alone will not be enough life support for a bare bottom tank? Biopellets, GFO, and a healthy fuge are needed, right?
What kind of additional equipment will one need when going sand free? You need something to get the nitrates down, the biggest benefit of the DSB especially is that it aids in denitrification. That being said it also is likely to become a nutrient sink and the leading cause (debatable) of old tank syndrome. Now, is it correct to assume that a skimmer and chaeto alone will not be enough life support for a bare bottom tank? Biopellets, GFO, and a healthy fuge are needed, right?
I run a 120 sps reef with bare bottom. typically do 15 gallon water change every weekend and recently started using bio pellet. (use to dose vodka on auto pump). No GFO and no carbon. No fuge. One thing I dont like about sand I used (black caribsea one) was that it will get attracted to magfloat and scratched all over my old tank. Since replacing the tank. I decieded to go bare bottom and very happy no scratches.
ptreef
Active Member
Love this. Stays put pretty good and nice size grains. If this is moving around you have lots of flow!! or lots of direct flow
Randy Holmes-Farley
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I think that unless you have no live rock, the decision on sand is largely as aesthetic one.
You'll generally need to deal with nutrients in other ways since sand in the display most frequently can't keep nitrate low, and does nothing for phosphate.
