Battle for the Bottom: Bare Bottom or Substrate?

[AlyciaMarie Verified Admin]

One of the great things about owning a tank is that you have the creative freedom to "decorate" it however you please. And we all know that there are lots of ways to do that. You can spruce up your tank with different kinds of rock formed into different structures, adding all kinds of beautiful coral and inverts, and, of course, fish! But one aspect of putting your tank together that I can often get overlooked is what we're putting on the bottom! Let's talk substrate. Or lack thereof...

Do you prefer bare bottom tanks or tanks with substrate (sand, crushed shell, etc.)?

Photo Credit: GOSKN5

 

[william Lutman]

Do bare bottom tank with sand (deep) in container

 

[DanyL]

Tanks with sand just look far better, and hide detritus that accumulates over the week.

Although, some tanks, like low/short SPS dominant tanks or frag tanks are not a good fit due to the high flow required to run them.

That’s why I have both, sand for the main system, and bare bottom for the frag tank.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I think both have their pros and cons, but I am more of a sand guy

 

[Reefer Matt]

I like the look of clean sand, but prefer the ease of maintenance with bare bottom. I’m usually the only one who sees my tanks anyway, so I look at the coral and fish more than the bottom of the tank.

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

Sand. Adds more room for beneficial bacteria to grow, and looks way more natural and IMO better.

 

[Paul B]

I am a reverse undergravel filter over dolomite gravel sort of guy. No problems yet.

 

[shakacuz]

sand for sure. too many pro's not enough con's.

 

[exnisstech]

If I could keep sand looking good I would run it. I cant so I no longer do.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

IMHO you've got to have SAND! :)

 

[Doctor Derp]

Tanks with sand just look far better, and hide detritus that accumulates over the week.

Although, some tanks, like low/short SPS dominant tanks or frag tanks are not a good fit due to the high flow required to run them.

That’s why I have both, sand for the main system, and bare bottom for the frag tank.

This is precisely why I keep bare bottom tanks exclusively now. Detritus is enemy #1 in a reef tank. Hiding it is a recipe for disaster.

 

[DanyL]

This is precisely why I keep bare bottom tanks exclusively now. Detritus is enemy #1 in a reef tank. Hiding it is a recipe for disaster.

Is that what you would call a disaster?

You do need to clean the sand at least once a month, but it looks far better than a couple of week worth of regular and caroline algae growth, in addition to the detritus that accumulates there.


Again, I keep both but I like the other better:

 

[Om84]

Love the look of sand but I’ll never keep it in my tanks. White starboard all the way - get the nice white look for substrate, reflection benefits for coral, and the easy maintenance. For wrasses I just use a container with sand.

 

[MoshJosh]

Sad to see that The Deep Sand has used propaganda to trick so many of you into putting sand in your tanks. . .

 

[BZOFIQ]

Sad to see that The Deep Sand has used propaganda to trick so many of you into putting sand in your tanks. . .

Not sad at all, sand just looks more natural.

I'll be honest here; I have never seen a bare bottom on any on my snorkeling trips.

 

[MoshJosh]

Not sad at all, sand just looks more natural.

I'll be hones here; I have never seen a bare bottom on any on my snorkeling trips.

Yet coral die-off continues to be a problem in the oceans!!!

Remove the sand (from the oceans), save the reefs!!!

 

[BristleWormHater]

I could never do a bare bottom, what about the gobies?

 

[vlangel]

I have done both. Barebottom is best with seahorses however when my ponies lived out their lives, I couldn't wait to add sand again, and lots of it. It's definitely more natural looking and with the right cuc easier too.

 

[X-37B]

I currently run and like both.
Main system ext170 BB acro system.
Ext50 sand and a nem clown tank soon. Both are new. 170 3 months and 50 1 month.

 

[Om84]

I could never do a bare bottom, what about the gobies?

As a bristle worm hater I expected you to hate sand where all the bristle worms hide!