what's the latest on live sand beds? Deep or shallow?

[charlestonreefer]

just getting back into the hobby and will be setting up a new tank soon. What is the latest more common approach to a live sand bed? Do most of you lean one way or another in regards to the tank bottom? I remember many years ago there was a pretty big shift away from live sand beds to bare bottom.

 

[Blknovass]

I run a shallow bed only 2-3”. However bare bottom is easer and less risk. I like having wrasses and I like the way the sand looks.

 

[Birddog61]

1 to 1.5 inches for me

 

[plankton]

I like the look of a shallow sand bed (1-2”) but bare bottom is much much easier to maintain especially if you keep SPS and want high flow and lower nutrients.

your decision also depends on the fish you want to keep ...

 

[Waters]

I have tried both and ended up going back to a shallow sand bed. I didn't care for the look of BB once it started getting "dirty" with Coralline and detritus.

 

[jda]

There is no "latest." They are the same as they always have been. Whatever you choose, you will need to maintain it every so often or else it can cause problems - this is also true with BB that also need work.