Bare-Bottom or Sandbed? What Made You Choose Your Substrate?

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Photo by @Wrassenaround

This used to be one of the most heated debates in the reefing world—bare-bottom VS sandbed. And people had strong opinions!

But lately, it feels like that debate has quieted down. Did the community settle the question? Has one approach clearly “won”… or have reefers just stopped caring as much?

Let’s revisit it! What did you choose for your tank, and why? Was it about nutrient control, aesthetics, flow, detritus management, livestock compatibility, or something else?

If you’ve tried both, which did you like better? And what would you tell someone setting up a new system right now?

Whether you’re all-in on one side or somewhere in the middle, drop your take and show us what your tank looks like today!

 

[AlyciaMarie Verified Admin]

The only reason I choose sand over bare bottom is that I like the way it looks better. I've heard good arguments made for both sides!

 

[Dragen Fiend]

Sand because it looks more natural and because certain livestock require it.

 

[I never finish anythi]

Definitely sand for me . Tried both and hated the look of a bb tank .

 

[Airedale Reef]

I have never had a BB tank, but always consider it when setting up a new tank - I think it would be great to add a mp10 near the bottom of the tank for additional circulation. Ultimately, I wanted a Diamond Goby, and needed a thick sand bed. Love it.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

The only reason I choose sand over bare bottom is that I like the way it looks better. I've heard good arguments made for both sides!

Same here! I simply prefer the look of a sandbed. Both thoughts have their merit, it's really about personal choice.

 

[56longroof]

Live sand. I never cared for a bare bottom tank. They remind me of holding tanks at wholesalers. But to each their own.

 

[Koty]

Got to have sand as I got to have wrasses

 

[SPS2020]

Bare bottom since the 90's. Great flow, easy to clean and no sand blowing around. I have all Acropora and very high flow rates.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’ve always had sand because I think it looks natural. :)

 

[saltcreep74]

Im going with CALX media for my substrate on my next build (150G SPS tank) following Vic's from WWC 80 gal build...Vic's 80 g WWC

Salty-

 

[Reefer Matt]

I started off with black sand in my sps display. However, it was volcanic ash from Hawaiian beaches and contains iron. That iron got in my glass cleaner and scratched the glass. I removed all of the sand over a period of 8 months with no side effects to the tank. Now that the litter is out of the box, I like it bare bottom. I can see ALL of the detritus now and remove it.

Sand, December 2023:

No sand, May 2025

 

[Besieged]

Definitely substrate for me. Never have liked the artificial look of a bare bottom tank, and besides they always feel like they're lacking a certain je nais se quois. Similar to how I've never cared for the fake gravel and plants most people put in their freshwater tanks.

Besides that, I like inverts - shrimp, snails, you name it - and anyway I want a diverse ecosystem, not just a bare-minimum life-support system for a few fish.

I mean, I guess if fish are all you're interested in, and/or you're most interested in aggressive, predatory fish, BB can be a good way to go, or even darn near necessary... but... meh? If I wanted aggressive, predatory animals, I'd go back to falconry. I don't find any of the predatory fish truly fascinating enough, tbh, to be worth the effort.

After a decade of falconry, I've seen enough animals die - or even had to put them out of their misery with my own hands - that the act of watching fish hunt and eat holds precisely zero interest.

I don't care what other people do (as long as their livestock is properly cared for) or makes them happy. If you like a BB tank and know how to cycle and maintain one, and it makes the most sense for your animals, by all means, do it. It's a perfectly valid method.

But speaking for myself, I'd rather have all the other little critters and other stuff that having a sand-bed enables.

 

[Drag80n Reef]

I started out with sand, but when my tank went through dinos and hair algae I removed the sand. Now I’m enjoying the bare bottom. It’s easy to clean and better flow in the tank.

 

[Tahoe61]

I actually like both styles equally, but I was never able to pull off BB. Hopefully my next attempt at BB will be successful.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Honestly, I think both have their pros and cons! I will always chose sandbed for my tanks, but I do like the look of bb tanks!

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

Coarse crushed coral and use conchs, snails and gobies to keep it clean.