Wrasse and bare bottom

[Nor'easter Reefer]

So I currently have a moyers leapord wrasse in my 120 gal acro dominant mixed reef. I want to go less mixed, and more acro. That said, I have enough sand where sand storms are my limiting factor as far as flow, and I really like the look and utility of bare bottom. I've considered slowly vaccuming out some sand everytime i vacuum the sand bed, till i get to a bare bottom.. Problem being, my leapord wrasse. I like him a lot as well. I've heard bowls of sand are an option, but I wonder if thats just going to be a issue as far as still getting blown out, or his violent burrowing in the sand throwing it everywhere. Anyone got any experience with a bowl of sand? Or any other ideas i hadnt thought of? I think i'm stuck with either my wrasse, OR a bare bottom, and if thats the case, i'll go wrasse. I can get by with sand, i'd just like to get rid of it.

 

[littlefoxx]

I dont have a deep sandbed at all and my twin spot coris has made a spot in the back and moved a good amount of sand back there for her to sleep. Ive never tried the bowl but if she was smart enough to make a deep mound in the back for herself I would think your wrasse would figure out a bowl!

 

[Clowning_Around72]

Cannot speak for leopard wrasses, but halichoerus wrasses can usually figure it out.
A possible solution to help the appearance of that tank is to surround a bowl with rocks and periodically remove that entire section for cleaning before adding the sand back in.

Not sure if this would overly stress out a leopard wrasse.

Not sure if I would do that with anything more delicate than a yellow halichoerus, but others may have more experience to help here

 

[Nor'easter Reefer]

Cannot speak for leopard wrasses, but halichoerus wrasses can usually figure it out.
A possible solution to help the appearance of that tank is to surround a bowl with rocks and periodically remove that entire section for cleaning before adding the sand back in.

Not sure if this would overly stress out a leopard wrasse.

Not sure if I would do that with anything more delicate than a yellow halichoerus, but others may have more experience to help here

Yea, i'd love for someone to come on with first hand experience. Hes super healthy and has a great personality so I wouldnt want to put him in harms way, but i'd like to have my proverbial cake and eat it too, if I can