Bare bottom tanks

[gkimble]

Do you think this is a good idea for a saltwater tank? I am tired of alage growing over my sand. All my params are in great shape. I will have to think of something to cover the bottom that looks like sand. Something white.

 

[demonsp]

FOWLR tanks are best bare bottom for this reason. Though im sure you can go DSB if done right.

 

[chrissreef]

do you have a sand cleanup crew? pls describe

how are your currents?

size/type of sand?

type of algae?

personally i like BB tank looks/versatility/cleaning etc... but i make up for it with a sandy refugium =P

 

[sruiz]

i've seen a fish store that places sand under the tank, and on top of the stand. Since the tank is glass you see right through it and it looks like theres sand in the tank.

 

[demonsp]

Yea the key is flow and that would help. But most FO fish eat cleanup crew. If he has reef fish then go reef and get a good CUC.

 

[gkimble]

For flow I have 2 koralia 4's and a 780gph quite one return pump. For a cleanup crew I have about 20 astreas, 20 nasirus, and a very large active sea hare. And about 20 blue legged hermits. I am goint to put most of my sand in teh refigeruium. and I am trying to thunk what I will do for the bottom. I don't like just the bare glass look. I like the sand under the tank. that is a really good idea. maybe Ill glue sand on the bottom outside of teh tank on paper then ill paste it onto the bottom of the glass on teh ouside. Any other ideas.

 

[old salty]

Re: Bare bottom tanks

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11133291#post11133291 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gkimble
Do you think this is a good idea for a saltwater tank? I am tired of alage growing over my sand. All my params are in great shape. I will have to think of something to cover the bottom that looks like sand. Something white.

Sounds like you are a likely candidate for a starboard bottom (fancy schmancy word for cutting board.)

 

[gkimble]

it is all kinds of algae form hair algae to red algae. All my params are great. Actually very impressed with my calcium levels at 490. My alk is a little high at 4.2 and my ph is at 8.1. Temp at 78 and sg is at 1.024

 

[demonsp]

Whats your phosphate and calcium is a little high , mb from to many water changes trying to solve some problem.
Whats the water source?

 

[Waxxiemann]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11133317#post11133317 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sruiz
i've seen a fish store that places sand under the tank, and on top of the stand. Since the tank is glass you see right through it and it looks like theres sand in the tank.

Once the coraline algae grows over the bottom, you wouldn't be able to see it any more.

I went bare bottom with my reef and I'm battling nitrates now. That's somthing you have to watch for with a BB tank. A good refugium is helpful for nitrate removel. A sulfur denitrator is probably what I'm going to end up with.

HTH

 

[gkimble]

I started using Ro/Di water but it got stollen so I have been using purified spring water and adding chemicals to buffer the ph.

 

[demonsp]

What type of fish do you have ?

 

[gkimble]

I have a kole tang and a powder brown tang. The kole is full grown teh powder brown is about 3 inches.

 

[demonsp]

Niether fish is reef safe. What size tank is this?

 

[gkimble]

72 gallon bow front. I thought they were both realtivly reef safe

 

[demonsp]

Sorry your right , its late. Only thing will be that everyother reef type fish you add will have to fight for his life. These guys will rule the tank. Conche snails are great for hair algea ( littel lawnmowers) and sand sift and for that SB a daimond goby will keep it tidey. Whene adding new fish besure to turn lights out mb 1 day or mb more. Also moving some rocks helps. You need to think more reef .

 

[gkimble]

Yeah well the only other fish I am adding are a pair of marron clown fish. They can handle there own. The tangs are realativley freindly. Yeah I will have to get some more snails. SHould I add more flow? like one of those vortech pumps? I have to koralia 4's and a 780gph return pump.

 

[demonsp]

Yea the marrons can take care of them selfs.
Extra flow untill sandsifting critters are in full force wont hurt.
Just dont think the koralia's are powrful enough. I use the 2 as a third for extra flow behind rock work. Never underestimate the power of flow. Everyware better then i think i have enough.

 

[gkimble]

ok then I will get the vortech wave kit.