Switching to bare bottom?

DanTer · May 4, 2018

Good morning everyone!

I'm going to be moving my 20 gallon long today and I'm considering switching to bare bottom when I'm at it. Anyone think it's a bad idea to dump the sand bed or have any words of advice? Thank you!

Nburg's Reef · May 4, 2018

As long as you have enough LR and other filtration methods, i dont see it being a problem. If your tank greatly depends on the sand for filtration you might have some issues. I have removed a sand bed many times in previous tanks, just syphon it during a water change... sucks up any ditritus trapped in the sand.

DanTer · May 4, 2018

Nburg said:
As long as you have enough LR and other filtration methods, i dont see it being a problem. If your tank greatly depends on the sand for filtration you might have some issues. I have done so many, just syphon it during a water change... sucks up any ditritus trapped in the sand.

Okay cool thank you! I have a generous amount of live rock so that isn't a concern.

OriginalUserName · May 4, 2018

Some folks are using the plastic cutting board material for their tank bottoms to provide protection against falling rocks and for an easier place for corals to attach. The only downside I see is algae growing in any scratches but I might try this when I upgrade.

Maybe it's obvious to everyone else, but when I switched to BB I didn't consider that my hermits wouldn't be able to get around.

Nburg's Reef · May 4, 2018

Hermits can still shimmy on a BB, esprcially when coraline grows, but if you have strong flow, they might get blown around a lot.

DanTer · May 4, 2018

OriginalUserName said:
Some folks are using the plastic cutting board material for their tank bottoms to provide protection against falling rocks and for an easier place for corals to attach. The only downside I see is algae growing in any scratches but I might try this when I upgrade.

Maybe it's obvious to everyone else, but when I switched to BB I didn't consider that my hermits wouldn't be able to get around.

Didn't even consider hermit crab locomotion. I was thinking maybe a sheet of an acrylic egg crate - style ceiling light diffuser could work for holding corals on the bottom of the tank.

OriginalUserName · May 4, 2018

Nburg said:
Hermits can still shimmy on a BB, esprcially when coraline grows, but if you have strong flow, they might get blown around a lot.

Maybe after you get some buildup. Right at switch I had a big issue. Maybe my glass was just smooth.

DanTer said:
Didn't even consider hermit crab locomotion. I was thinking maybe a sheet of an acrylic egg crate - style ceiling light diffuser could work for holding corals on the bottom of the tank.

Starboard could be pre-drilled if you are thinking of placing plugs in the bottom. That could be an interesting plan actually.

Anirban · May 4, 2018

Get a starboard at the bottom. It will protect the bottom and also it reflects a lot of light and make the whole thing brighter.

cracker · May 4, 2018

I finally removed sand from my 75. It took years of siphoning. I haven't seen any changes.

DanTer · May 4, 2018

Thank you everyone! Maybe I'll hold off on it for now and look into starboard or something of the such.

OriginalUserName · May 4, 2018

cracker said:
I finally removed sand from my 75. It took years of siphoning. I haven't seen any changes.

That's the path I had taken too. It took a LOT Of water changes to suck out 5" of DSB one section at a time.

cracker · May 4, 2018

I didn't have that much but slowly scraping the top again & again. My sandbed was as green as my lawn .

cracker · May 4, 2018

@DanTer This is my 1st Bare bottom I'd think your tank will be just fine. It's certainly a lot easier to maintain & I like the sand look but hey . If Ya don't like it you can always add sand back into it.
Brandon has a thorough thread on sand beds& keeping them clean. If You haven't already already checked it out.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/t...-one-against-many.230281/page-10#post-4511534

DanTer · May 4, 2018

cracker said:
@DanTer This is my 1st Bare bottom I'd think your tank will be just fine. It's certainly a lot easier to maintain & I like the sand look but hey . If Ya don't like it you can always add sand back into it.
Brandon has a thorough thread on sand beds& keeping them clean. If You haven't already .seen it.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/t...-one-against-many.230281/page-10#post-4511534

Cool thank you! Do you have anything on top of your glass? Or is it truly bare bottom?

needbiggertanks · May 4, 2018

I went bare bottom when i upgraded my 20 to a 40. Everything is on the glass. Rocks are fine, Hermits are fine, corals are fine. Its the only way ill set up a tank from now on.

cracker · May 4, 2018

Just glass with a sprinke sand under & around the rock.

DanTer · May 4, 2018

What do you guys in terms of corals/frags? I'm thinking of cutting the bottom off of the frag plus so that they can sit evenly on the bottom. Any suggestions?

Nburg's Reef · May 4, 2018

DanTer said:
What do you guys in terms of corals/frags? I'm thinking of cutting the bottom off of the frag plus so that they can sit evenly on the bottom. Any suggestions?

Even larger frags will get pushed around on the ground. Encrusting sps will stick somewhat to the bottom, bit wont be able to get a strong grip. Few dabs of super glue gel might work best.

cracker · May 4, 2018

If the Lfs won't I cut the peg off & glue it to a larger piece of rock for stability. I do this for the bottom corals. this way they don't slide around & I can move them for cleaning purposes & then put them back. seems to work OK

DHill6 · May 4, 2018

I do the same, attach coral to smaller pieces of rock, it’s moveable and doesn’t slide around. Anemone doesn’t mind the B.B. either. Easy to clean, everything is doing well.