bare bottom vs sand bed, pros/cons, your preference?

[BryanM]

Is it better to run a clean glass floor or a natural sand bed?

I'll start, I love the look of sand but I do believe it would be a lot easier to have gone bare bottom.

I do like the idea that it provides more biological filtration as well, but I am unclear just how much of my biofilter is due to the rock vs the sand.

 

[Channas]

Im all for sand, both the looks of it as Well as the biological filtration.

My understanding is that a sand bed of about 1-2 inches deep provides equal, perhaps even more biological filtration than the actual rock itself. The sand will help alot more with nitrate for example in the anerobic zones the sand creates (deepest layer of the sand).

There are alot more to it but i cant write it out properly and correctly but bottom line is, sand is more beneficial in my opinion. The sand also opens up some fun fish for the tank as Well.

the comment below made me want to Edit and add that im on the team no cleaning the sand bed, i only keep fish and snails for the sand turnover (massive sand gang though, 100-150 Nassarius and some gobies)

 

[Reefer Matt]

I think it depends on what species are kept. A bare bottom tank will limit which species can be kept, yet sand beds are nice if they are maintained. There’s also people on both sides of the clean/don’t clean the sandbed aisle too.

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

I’m too lazy to siphon sand. After many years of sanded tanks, and all the siphoning that went along with it, I’m happy to have a bare bottom now..,,,,,Well, happier now that I removed years worth of encrusting coral from the bottom and up the sides of the tank! While I did like having the bottom fully covered in color, I did not have much fun chiseling away at it all! Especially as the tank is an earlier RS 750 that had defects in the seam within a month of setting it up. Knocking on wood as the brace, bubblegum, and duct tape they sent out as a fix years ago hasn’t let go…..yet

 

[risiy]

Im all for sand, both the looks of it as Well as the biological filtration.

My understanding is that a sand bed of about 1-2 inches deep provides equal, perhaps even more biological filtration than the actual rock itself. The sand will help alot more with nitrate for example in the anerobic zones the sand creates (deepest layer of the sand).

There are alot more to it but i cant write it out properly and correctly but bottom line is, sand is more beneficial in my opinion. The sand also opens up some fun fish for the tank as Well.

the comment below made me want to Edit and add that im on the team no cleaning the sand bed, i only keep fish and snails for the sand turnover (massive sand gang though, 100-150 Nassarius and some gobies). Finding the right place can take some time, especially if you're new to the city. When searching for Apartments for rent in Thessaloniki, pay close attention to the neighborhood, public transportation, and what's included in the monthly rent. Visiting the property in person, if possible, can help you avoid surprises. I also recommend comparing a few listings before making a decision. Good luck with your apartment search!

Hello. I'm finishing up gathering my equipment, and it's almost time to set up the tank. I'm still undecided between going with a sand bed or a bare bottom setup. I'd love to see photos of both from your tanks to help me decide. If you've tried either option, I'd also appreciate hearing what you like or dislike about it.

 

[56longroof]

I dont understand the excuses against sand. My tank is 2 years old and I have never touched the sand bed. A proper clean up crew and flow will do it for you. The sand in my freshwater aquarium is at least 6 years old and has never been vacuumed either.

 

[Channas]

Hello. I'm finishing up gathering my equipment, and it's almost time to set up the tank. I'm still undecided between going with a sand bed or a bare bottom setup. I'd love to see photos of both from your tanks to help me decide. If you've tried either option, I'd also appreciate hearing what you like or dislike about it.

I actually have a bare bottom tank up and running but its my seahorse rearing tank just to help me keep the water pristine but i find it ugly and thats my thoughts about it i Will attach a Photo of my biggest mixed reef tank and my seahorse cube (not rearing tank)

Yellow filter:

No filter:

 

[vlangel]

Yes, I also had a bare bottom seahorse tank for the sake of water quality. I even painted the underneath of it with a textured sand colored paint but I never warmed up to it. I like sand and a lot of it. I always have at least a partial deep sand bed.

 

[mmorrison55]

I have sand, but I was very tempted to try bare bottom.

 

[X-37B]

I have and like both. This is my 2 year old ext 170 BB.

 

[mfinn]

I had 1 bare bottomed tank and while it was cool at first, I got tired of it fairly fast.
All my other tanks have had anywhere from 2" to 6" of sand.
I just like the look.

 

[JonoH]

I have sand, although i cant see much of it these days!

Just prefer the natural look, however it would be a lot easier to go bare bottom in terms of cranking up flow for Acropora and other SPS corals.

 

[Justfebreezeit]

I've had and like both. Sand does make starting a new tank more forgiving.

 

[allof fish]

Is it better to run a clean glass floor or a natural sand bed?

I'll start, I love the look of sand but I do believe it would be a lot easier to have gone bare bottom.

I do like the idea that it provides more biological filtration as well, but I am unclear just how much of my biofilter is due to the rock vs the sand.

For my goal of a sps dominate tank I would have loved to give bare bottom a try, but with my leopard wrasse kinda difficult and felt harsh to not have sand. Also not getting rid of as it’s one of my favorite fish. So I went middle ground, very shallow sand bed. I believe since it’s shallow harder to have aerobic areas especially with cuc, can still have good flow just can’t put power head on bottom to get everything up

 

[VintageReefer]

I have a sandbed varying from 3-4” due to fish and currents and it has never been vacuumed once. I would advise against sandbed vacuuming, it is disturbing natural processes. Get a conch or two, they do more work than any snail I’ve tried.

 

[Dutch_Roots]

I always kept sand but went bare bottom on my last two builds. I don’t think I’ll ever go back to sand. In my opinion I just never see a clean sand bed and it just always looks a mess to me. Bare bottom is so much easier to keep clean and options on flow are unlimited.

 

[allof fish]

I always kept sand but went bare bottom on my last two builds. I don’t think I’ll ever go back to sand. In my opinion I just never see a clean sand bed and it just always looks a mess to me. Bare bottom is so much easier to keep clean and options on flow are unlimited.

I definitely agree even though i currently have sand but would love to eventually have a bare bottom tank. I don’t have issues with sand yet as tank is new but unlimited flow options for heavy sps tanks are great and can get all detritus out. Although if starting from scratch they do take some time to get going

 

[Channas]

Yes, I also had a bare bottom seahorse tank for the sake of water quality. I even painted the underneath of it with a textured sand colored paint but I never warmed up to it. I like sand and a lot of it. I always have at least a partial deep sand bed.

Beutiful tanks!

 

[vlangel]

Beutiful tanks!

Thank you for the kind words!

 

[reeferID]

I always kept sand but went bare bottom on my last two builds. I don’t think I’ll ever go back to sand. In my opinion I just never see a clean sand bed and it just always looks a mess to me. Bare bottom is so much easier to keep clean and options on flow are unlimited.

I’m with you.