Thinking about adding sand

[JGoslee]

Well I have been barebottom for 8 months. The entire bottom of my tank, from front to back is covered with frag discs. It just doesnt look good. Im thinking if I add a shallow sand bed it might start looking alittle more natural. Whats everyone think. Should I add some sand or leave it bare? Also If I do add sand what kind should I use. I have alot of flow and wouldnt want a sand storm. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[143gadgets]

DON'T add sand!!!! ;) Why not just get a frag tank to put on the same system? that way you will free up the bottom of your tank and have more room for frags.

 

[JGoslee]

Chris thats a great idea. Im not sure how I would add it to the main system? Maybe set up a pump, and have the supply to the pump go up and over the back of the main tank and then have the return drain into the new fragtank, which would drain into the sump?

 

[MarvinsReef]

I dunno how you would do it either but that would be an awesome idea to have a frag tank plumbed with you main system... oh, only if I had the room... :)

 

[Raptor]

Chris thats a great idea. Im not sure how I would add it to the main system? Maybe set up a pump, and have the supply to the pump go up and over the back of the main tank and then have the return drain into the new fragtank, which would drain into the sump?

If you do that make sue you have a syphon breaks.

 

[143gadgets]

Not sure how soon you plan to add the frag tank, but i will shoot some ideas your way. I am in the process of setting up a new system. The display will be 36x24x22 and the frag tank is 24x24x12. All custom acrylic w/ calfo stlye overflow boxes.

 

[Zeppelin]

I love a shallow sandbed. I dont think bare bottom tanks look natural at all. A shallow sandbed also allows for small gobies and wrasses should you choose to add any later. Its one more thing to clean when youre cleaning the tank, and you have to be careful not to get ant between your magnet and the glass/acrylic, but well worth it for the asthetic appeal, IMO.

 

[JGoslee]

Not sure how soon you plan to add the frag tank, but i will shoot some ideas your way. I am in the process of setting up a new system. The display will be 36x24x22 and the frag tank is 24x24x12. All custom acrylic w/ calfo stlye overflow boxes.

Sounds like that is going to be a kickass system! If you got ideas please keep'em coming. I will be setting up a frag tank as soon as my fish are done QT.

 

[JGoslee]

I love a shallow sandbed. I dont think bare bottom tanks look natural at all. A shallow sandbed also allows for small gobies and wrasses should you choose to add any later. Its one more thing to clean when youre cleaning the tank, and you have to be careful not to get ant between your magnet and the glass/acrylic, but well worth it for the asthetic appeal, IMO.

I do like he look of a shallow sand bed. It looks so natural. I think I have been convinced to keep the man display BB. After closely looking at my tank I have noticed in more than one spot zoa's from overgrown fragdiscs growing to the bottom. Since the upper half is begining to fill with SPS and LPS I think it might look pretty cool to have the whole bottom a giant zoa garden. I wont have to worry about fragging because I will have frags of everything in the frag tank.

 

[minibowmatt]

I would add the sand. I would also add a BB frag tank ;)
I like the look of sand in my display. I have never seen a reef (in the wild) without sand. LOL.
Maybe when I stop by tomorrow, I can help you with some plumbing ideas. I am actually considering setting my prop tank again, and tying it to my main system.

 

[JGoslee]

When I do my frag tank it will definetely be BB.