Why not Bare bottom?

[SpartaReef]

So my idea is, since I went bare bottom, I've found no desire to go back... the only thing I can think of would be stocking list as a reason to go back and so far I don't stock anything that MUST have a sand bed.... so figured this could be a good discussion... forgive me if there is already one going somewhere.

 

[Dragen Fiend]

Honestly depending on your aquascape. Like yours, you really don't even notice the bare bottom.

It comes down to looks and livestock. Both i want so i don't do bare bottom.

 

[Subsea]

I noticed that you have 5 tank build threads. Are all of them bare bottom?

I like my sand bed detrivores that recycle detritus into the microbial food webs that feed hungry filter feeders.

 

[rockdiver]

I like sand and have a sand bottom. It's our tanks and we all do what we want personally for me It's not a reef with no sand but that's just my opinion

 

[SpartaReef]

I noticed that you have 5 tank build threads. Are all of them bare bottom?

I like my sand bed detrivores that recycle detritus into the microbial food webs that feed hungry filter feeders.

Probably not all of them... those are all old threads. My current 40g is my only saltwater tank now. My last tank that had substrate was a 29g

 

[BryanM]

So my idea is, since I went bare bottom, I've found no desire to go back... the only thing I can think of would be stocking list as a reason to go back and so far I don't stock anything that MUST have a sand bed.... so figured this could be a good discussion... forgive me if there is already one going somewhere.

No reason not to, but it's pure aesthetics for me.

 

[rtparty]

There are too many creatures I like that require a sand bed

I have had far more success with sand than without

Bare bottom is simply ugly to me. That’s totally personal for each hobbyist though

I did run this tank for a few years that was bare bottom

 

[reefmaster70]

I agree, aesthetically I just don't like the look of bare bottom. #2 I love quite a few of the creatures that rely on it, like a goby and shrimp pair, star fish, and other cleanup crew critters. #3 and certainly not any less important is the tons more surface area it gives you get right inside your tank for beneficial bacteria to grow on, which leads into the debate of shallow or deep sand bed and the pro's and cons of both. I've done both and prefer the shallow. Sure you can get surface area using bioblocks in your sumps, but why not do even more with a sand bed in your display?

 

[Tamberav]

So my idea is, since I went bare bottom, I've found no desire to go back... the only thing I can think of would be stocking list as a reason to go back and so far I don't stock anything that MUST have a sand bed.... so figured this could be a good discussion... forgive me if there is already one going somewhere.

Because I love sand sleeping wrasses. I currently have 7 of them.

I think tanks look nicer with sand but have had bare bottom nanos before and maintenance and flow is certainly easier without the sand.

 

[SpartaReef]

I love the perspectives, keep them coming. Thank you Everyone.

 

[ingchr1]

What looks most natural to me is to have the bottom completely covered with live rock, with sand in the gaps.

I've been adding live rock to my tank to get to that look.

 

[Tahoe61]

The look of Chalice, Favia and sps spreading out on a bb system is esthetically appealing to me. I have tried it twice on 30 gallon tanks and it never worked out for me. I always ended up adding sand. Sps just kept failing.
A decent sandbed is a great biological filter, and that’s the reason I went with a 2 inch sandbed on my new tank.