Bare bottom or sand? in nano

[TX..r33f]

So its getting close to when im ordering my pico setup (3g). i was wondering should i go bare bottom? i dont feel siphoning out sand out of a tiny tank. Also sand careys alot of bad parrisites. So what do yall think go bare bottom or no. Are there any pro-cons of haveing sand.

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

in a 3g i cant imagine there will be much of anything in there to feed...no food = no mess to clean up...and a suitable clean up crew will keep things the rest of the time...personally i like the look of the wand, and it give lots of organisms places to hide and hunt...i have yet to hear of any parasites being introduced to any ones tank from the sand, though i am sure it isnt out of the realm of possibilties, it certainly isnt on my mind when i set up a tank...
FWIW, in my 5g i have never siphoned the sand, i has now been running for a year and six months without issue...i have three hermit crabs, a zillion chitons, million spaghetti and bristle worms, along with a tonne of collonista snails and keyhole limpets...together with the help of a serpent star do a pretty god job stirring the sand and eating anything that falls on it..

 

[TX..r33f]

okay thanks, do you have any pics of your tank that i may see?

 

[cnseekatz]

I like the way a sand bed looks. I have about 1" of sand in my 5 gallon pico, and I like it. I have a few little hermits, and two Nassarius snails that churn the crap out of the sand, and as long as you don't mind the occasional snail trail, that seems to be enough.

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

okay thanks, do you have any pics of your tank that i may see?

and a close up of the sand...no poop in it..

 

[TX..r33f]

wow that a nice little set up, i just ordere my stuff online today cant wait

 

[ac0go]

I definitely agree on the sand. I tried bare bottom and didn't really care for the way it looked.

 

[jaygalindo]

I love bare bottom. I think it also depends on what you plan on keeping as far as corals go. I am keeping sps so I can turn up the flow and not have to worry about sand getting blown around. Also if you fill in the floor it the tank with coral it will fill in nicely and you can barely notice its a bare bottom. But I do i have to use a turkey basted to clean up any debris or detritus from my turbo snails who clean all 5 sides of the tank in my case.

 

[jaygalindo]

Also u have to be patient and get past the early stages of diatoms. It does not look great early but as the tank gets mature it will pay off in the end. Some o the nicest tanks I've ever seen have been BB...

 

[TX..r33f]

see i will have alot flow in the 3g (Hydor Pico Evo-Mag Circulation Pump 180gph) with (Hydor FLO Rotating Water Deflector) will my sand blow away lol

 

[jrsydevi1]

It's a matter of personal preference, IMO..

I have seen some very nice looking BB tanks... My preference is a sand bottom for a more natural look...

It's a good idea to have some sand-sifters if you decide to go that route.. ie: Nassarius snails.. stars.. etc.. to keep the sand bed fresh and aerated.. If you have a healthy tank.. you should wind up with tons of detrivores living in your sand... I have NEVER vacuumed sand in a reef tank...

Both can work... ultimately it comes down to what you like.

 

[Lpabsolute]

Sand

 

[TX..r33f]

OKay im going with sand!! will my sand blow away with this-- (Hydor Pico Evo-Mag Circulation Pump 180gph) with (Hydor FLO Rotating Water Deflector) i allready ordered tht stuff soto late i guess

 

[jrsydevi1]

Lpabsolute... that better be your sister in your avatar..

Cuz if you have 4 reef tanks AND a GF that hot... I'm callin 'NO FAIR' :eek1:

 

[Lpabsolute]

Lpabsolute... that better be your sister in your avatar..

Cuz if you have 4 reef tanks AND a GF that hot... I'm callin 'NO FAIR' :eek1:

:lol2:

 

[schlosser_jr30]

Like others have said, its your opionion that counts. I prefer the look of sand. Just don't use sugar fine or it will blown everywhere.

 

[Giovanni]

I have a 5 gallon with no sand. You would be amazed at the detritus that builds up in no time. Like the others say it is your preference as far a looks. I do like the look of sand but if you have a bunch of current, it will keep the sand stirred up.

 

[tommer725]

sand is great bacteria eats up dirt. just get some nassarius snails. 3 should be okay.

 

[tmc1313]

How about bare bottomed with the look of sand

 

[Giovanni]

I was wondering if there was some way to do that. Where do you buy that stuff?