Sand bed or Bare Bottom? Help

[Miller Aquatic]

So here’s my situation I’m setting up my 180g predatory fowlr and am considering going bare bottom but have a few concerns.
1. I have a bird wrasse that I’m not sure would be ok with that. Online It says they are normally adjusted to sleeping in the rocks so I may be fine.
2. Anaerobic bacteria from having a sand bed. Would a shallow sand bed(2”) do that anyways?
I’m gonna have puffers triggers eel and such and was worried if one of them knocked down a rock it would crack my glass. I’ve mainly heard of bb for sps.
TIA

 

[Subsea]

I always use substrate on tank bottom so as not to break glass. Also, the surface area for bacteria colonization in 1 pound of sand is significantly more than in 1 pound of live rock and it cost less.

In Reef Aquarium, Volume 3, Julian Sprung notes that nitrification & denitrification bacteria operated within close proximity of each other, he called it coupled.

PS: what leans you toward bare bottom?

PSS: Depending on bioload, consider using reverse flow ug filter. However, without coral, nitrate would tend to build up.

Is ornamental seaweed an option in your display?

 

[Aquariumaddictuk]

A compromise could be barebottom displsy with bottles of sand 6 inches depth in your sump.
Pinched idea from @robertodenadai tanks & works brilliantly

 

[2Flash1]

I did Starboard on my new tank.
I did because my wife has OCD and hates sand everywhere from my tangs.

I have had the worse luck to get everything back into check!

Everything has its pros and cons. I’m no BB expert nor sand expert.

Sorry I’m no help but here’s a pic of starboard in my reef…

 

[Miller Aquatic]

I always use substrate on tank bottom so as not to break glass. Also, the surface area for bacteria colonization in 1 pound of sand is significantly more than in 1 pound of live rock and it cost less.

In Reef Aquarium, Volume 3, Julian Sprung notes that nitrification & denitrification bacteria operated within close proximity of each other, he called it coupled.

PS: what leans you toward bare bottom?

PSS: Depending on bioload, consider using reverse flow ug filter. However, without coral, nitrate would tend to build up.

Is ornamental seaweed an option in your display?

The main thing is that with bare bottom I can crank flow and with so many predatory fish there will be a lot of detritus and it will all go straight to the sump instead of the sand. I’m not against seaweed but I’m gonna have a tang

 

[Aquariumaddictuk]

I did Starboard on my new tank.
I did because my wife has OCD and hates sand everywhere from my tangs.

I have had the worse luck to get everything back into check!

Everything has its pros and cons. I’m no BB expert nor sand expert.

Sorry I’m no help but here’s a pic of starboard in my reef…

Clean as a whistle :beaming-face-with-smiling-eyes:

 

[Miami Reef]

What’s the purpose of going bare bottom for a fish-only tank?

Sand looks better IMO
Flow isn’t strong, so sand doesn’t get blown around.
I’m not implying that sand causes nutrient spikes, but even if so, that isn’t a concern in FOWLR tanks.

I’m curious to read why you are considering bare bottom. :)

 

[Miami Reef]

The main thing is that with bare bottom I can crank flow and with so many predatory fish there will be a lot of detritus and it will all go straight to the sump instead of the sand. I’m not against seaweed but I’m gonna have a tang

You can use crushed coral as a substrate, too.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

It all comes down to what you want to have in your tank, aesthetic choice, and what you think will be better in the long term. Personally, I prefer sand bottoms due to the look, and I like having sand-sifting creatures in my tank.

 

[Miller Aquatic]

If I go with sand would you go with special grade or something different. I’m going to have one 2500gph wave maker a couple 1000gph and my return pump.
I don’t want it to be a detritus trap and also don’t want it to be a sand dune. :grinning-face-with-sweat:

 

[Doctorgori]

Sand looks way better/more natural, more livestock choices..
OTOH requires a lil more periodic maintenance and some care while cleaning glass and equipment
Bare bottom might take a lil while longer to “stabilize” esp with the current rock choices…

My advice, if you go barebottom, get some gulf rock
If you go sand, strongly advise to skip the hammerhead magnet type glass cleaners and get the Tunze care magnet

 

[Miller Aquatic]

Sand looks way better/more natural, more livestock choices..
OTOH requires a lil more periodic maintenance and some care while cleaning glass and equipment
Bare bottom might take a lil while longer to “stabilize” esp with the current rock choices…

My advice, if you go barebottom, get some gulf rock
If you go sand, strongly advise to skip the hammerhead magnet type glass cleaners and get the Tunze care magnet

Funny story I just got a tunze care magnet for Christmas

 

[Doctorgori]

Funny story I just got a tunze care magnet for Christmas

and you will be glad you did…
Waaaaaay less glass scratches my friend

 

[Miller Aquatic]

If I go with sand would you go with special grade or something different. I’m going to have one 2500gph wave maker a couple 1000gph and my return pump.
I don’t want it to be a detritus trap and also don’t want it to be a sand dune. :grinning-face-with-sweat:

Would you guys say with this flow special grade will work?

 

[Subsea]

Would you guys say with this flow special grade will work?

Depends on where you point your water jets. Until you aquascape, you will not know.