substrate? why or why not

[Laird]

About to get started on my first frag tank. I see some people with sand beds and some without. What are the pros and cons of having one vs not having one?

 

[NaplesAquatics]

Pros: You have a substrate to put corals, such as brains, favias, etc. on.

Cons: It's harder to keep clean.

Jeff

 

[Neon Reef]

i originally had sand in my current tank and decided to go barebottom..so glad i did. every week there are about 3 or 4 places where pockets of detritus builds and it's easy for me to just syphon it out. if i had sand, there would be no way for me to know where it accumulates so that i could get it out. eventually, all that "stuff" would just build up and it would be a nitrate and phosphate nightmare. no more sand for me.

 

[Laird]

The bottom of the tank is clear. What should I put on the bottom? Should I paint it?

 

[dmorazan]

filtration is key whem it comes to sand or substrate.I know, I know some might not agree with me but I have 300g packed with sps and lps and it helps lots with the filtration and food for different zooplankton and snails + I like the look, and all chalices and favs, etc. my two cents.

 

[NaplesAquatics]

The bottom of the tank is clear. What should I put on the bottom? Should I paint it?

Are you afraid the corals will see through it and notice the stand isn't finished inside? :)

I paint the bottom of all my tanks black. Krylon spray paint.

Jeff

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Substrate = YES = Purdy! :D

 

[Russellaqua]

I personally prefer the look of substrate, and it helps cushion a fall if you should ever drop a coral when moving it in the tank.

 

[cdness]

go sand... Barebottom doesn't look right.

 

[seareefrun]

Yes to sand on bottom. The best way in my 30 years of Reef keeping to keep it clean is to use a food basting tool . If you have a tall tank, it's easy to extend the tube with hard or soft tubing. While your cleaning the sand you can clean the cracks & crevices in your rock just like the storm's do. I do this once a month before the water change.

 

[ronnie]

I recently started putting sand in my 40B frag tank. I've got about 1/3 of it covered so far (going slow since I have coral in there).

That side of the tank seems brighter with the sand, compared to the other parts where I just painted the bottom black.

Gives the corals a little extra pop it seems.