Bare Bottom VS Sandbed

[YoYoel16]

Hello everyone, I'm introducing this thread because I am interested in knowing the pros and cons of a bare bottom tank and a tank with sand. I have been in the hobby for 5 years now and I've always stuck with about 2" sand bed, but now that I'm running my biggest system yet a 120, I'm running it bare bottom. I can't argue, I like the look of it but I find myself missing the look of the sand and sometimes wanting to go back. I know it's possible (with dry sand) but before anything I just wanna hear everyone's thoughts on the topic and hopefully help me decide!
Everyone is welcome to share their ideas and opinions, thanks
Yoel

 

[FortyFour]

First time, long time!!

I say go with whatever you think looks best. I prefer sand, personally.

 

[reefbroao]

I debated the same and came to realizing that I just love the sand. It lets you harbor critters that require a sand bed and looks much more natural.

 

[jlabeaume]

I read a lot in to this as well. I would rather look at sand than the glass

 

[YoYoel16]

As far as adding the sand goes? How should I go about it?

 

[YoYoel16]

I think I might be leaning more towards the sand

 

[Coelli]

As far as adding the sand goes? How should I go about it?

Rinse it VERY WELL and use a long piece of PVC to get it down to the bottom rather than trying to drop it down from the top. It'll make less of a mess.

 

[YoYoel16]

Wow thanks never thought of that

 

[YoYoel16]

I'll try and get some dry sand this week and figure all out and keep you guys posted
Thanks for all the help

 

[Slim_okrug]

Few things to take in mind are if you are adding live sand then it is ok to put it right in your tank but if you are putting argonite sand that is not cycled you know you are going through cycling again? In this way add sand slowly maybe cup a day or something like that cos you could have big amonia and nitrite spikes. Thats only my opinion and i would go like that.

 

[Member No. 1]

Have a look here...
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/search.php?searchid=18375885

Should only take a week or two to read thru!

 

[Coelli]

Few things to take in mind are if you are adding live sand then it is ok to put it right in your tank but if you are putting argonite sand that is not cycled you know you are going through cycling again? In this way add sand slowly maybe cup a day or something like that cos you could have big amonia and nitrite spikes. Thats only my opinion and i would go like that.

Are you sure about that? The sand won't have anything organic on it that would be converted to ammonia/nitrate/nitrogen, and the tank is already established with sufficient bacteria to support the current bioload. As far as I know, and I could be wrong, the only thing that will happen is bacteria will begin to colonize it. It's not the same as adding live rock that has organic material in/on it that may have died off.

 

[cloak]

+1 for sand

Depending on your work ethic, shallow sand beds are just TOO easy to keep clean IMO. GL.

 

[MeghanisradxD]

I personally like either/or as far as looks go, but am currently running bare bottom and am growing GSP on the bottom glass.

 

[greaps]

I like bare bottom tanks in practice, but sand is usual more attractive imo.

Iv painted the top of my stand white, so it should brighten up the tank like sand does, I have not added water yet to see.

I don't mind scraping the bottom of the tank followed by a quick vacuum once a week since the aquarium is only 24x24x20. That exports a lot into the filter sock too. The trick to making it even easier, which I am attempting to construct is to have all the rock work slightly suspended off the bottom and move-able. That way I can easily scrub underneath, and vacuum. Otherwise you end up with piles of ugly detritus under and around your rock work.

 

[reefbroao]

My sand bed is 2 inch max, just enough for sand creatures but not enough to create a problem.