Bare bottom or sand bottom

[edc_aquarium]

For my 55 gallon reef I'm having a hard time figuring out if I want a sand bottom or bare bottom what's your guys opinions?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I like sand.

 

[scardall]

IMO(My Choice) Bare bottom less maintenance and easier to clean.---Until coraline covers bottom-looks a bit sterile. (My choice) OR (Up to You) If Sand cosmetically nice more maintenance required and can have fish that bury themselves. --If you slack off too long tank can crash

 

[Flatlandreefer]

I can't stand the bare bottom look but if you like it it has its advantages, easier to remove detritus and it won't blow around with high flow. Sand requires more maintenance but it looks more natural and there are a lot of fish that need a sand bed. A compromise would be to use starboard, I have never used it but several people have and it looks pretty convincing in a lot of pics I have seen.

I vote sand but it's really a personal preference.

 

[RussiReef]

I will go with sand.

 

[wattson]

BB and youll never look back...sand is TOO many headaches,IMO...wish I never wasted money and time on sand

 

[GOSKN5]

If starting this tank new.. and able to, flip it over and paint the bottom underside white... gives a nice illusion of sand with the BB benefits... here is mine:

 

[scardall]

If starting this tank new.. and able to, flip it over and paint the bottom underside white... gives a nice illusion of sand with the BB benefits... here is mine:

I have a BB tank as well. I never thought of painting the bottom white. Cool idea.

 

[Ento-Reefer]

I always use sand. I love fish that need a sand bed to burry in.

 

[wattson]

http://www.krylon.ca/products/make-it-stone-textured-paint/
this might be a different paint option..make sure you paint the outside bottom of tank.
My tanks are bare bottom and liking it

 

[CoralReefer1019]

BB

 

[WWIII]

At this point in time in the hobby it's in large part personal preference. Consider the animals you would like to keep as well! I prefer sand and I use tropic eden reef flakes

 

[David Bell]

I went BB with black starboard. The coraline has covered a good part of the starboard which makes it look better IMO. BB is my vote with the proper inhabitants

 

[Roggio]

If you look at @WWC and @jfox they do BB. They used encrusting corals to fill in the space and they’re able to control flow without disturbing sand. It also helps disrupt ick’s cycle. My next tank will be BB

 

[DSC reef]

I prefer bare bottom. Easier to clean, corals encrust the glass like montis and zoas. I can crank the flow and never worry about moving sand or covering corals.

 

[Radman73]

Sand. I prefer the look and there are too many fish I like that are dependent on a sand bed.

 

[Flatlandreefer]

I do agree, if going bare bottom I think doing this makes it look 100 times better and would be an argument for myself to go barebottom.

 

[GOSKN5]

There are also ways around the sand dwelling wrasses as well.. i have kept melanarus, yellow coris and leopard in these tanks also...

 

[Cory]

I was always a bb fan. However i have crushed coral now. It doesnt blow around at all. I added it because vinegar is too efficient at removing nutrients.

 

[don_chuwish]

I think it's kinda cute when bare bottoms get sandy.