Bare Bottom vs ?

[Nekko123]

I have done some research and am leaning towards a bare bottom tank.

It is just a small 10 gallon nano tank which will have lots of live rock, one fish, some cleaners and corals.

Is this the best way to go for a healthy tank?

Tank you,

 

[mcgyvr]

bare bottom tank...
Is this the best way to go for a healthy tank?

Tank you,

IMO Nope..

A good sand bed.. even a shallow one provides a massive increase in surface area for beneficial bacteria that would not exist without it..
It also provides a home for good microfauna/worms/,etc... that are also a positive in a tank..

(ps.. I like the "tank you".. not sure if you did that on porpoise)

 

[Nekko123]

BUt....

BUt....

IMO Nope..

A good sand bed.. even a shallow one provides a massive increase in surface area for beneficial bacteria that would not exist without it..
It also provides a home for good microfauna/worms/,etc... that are also a positive in a tank..

But I have done some research and the majority seem to feel that ANY substrate will eventually become a nitrate/trite factory. They suggest that the live rock will be more than enough to handle a very low bio load.

Your thoughts?

Thanks

 

[LuizW13]

you could get critters that stir up up the sand, preventing nutrients from building up. Also, bare bottom just looks so, eh.

 

[mcgyvr]

But I have done some research and the majority seem to feel that ANY substrate will eventually become a nitrate/trite factory. They suggest that the live rock will be more than enough to handle a very low bio load.

Your thoughts?

Thanks

I do agree that live rock alone may be able to handle a low bio load..
But who is really happy with a low bio load in the long run

I think that as long as you maintain a happy "living" sand bed then its benefits outweigh any potential negatives..
Any detritus,etc.. should be quickly/fully processed by the microfauna,etc.. in the sand bed..

Of course you are just taking about a 10G tank here... Any problems are easily solved via small water changes.. In reality the difference is probably infinitesimal..

 

[ssgss gogeta]

I just don't like the look of bare bottom. And above is correct if the sand bed isn't ridiculously thick it can be moved around plenty with the right critters. Even in that small of a tank you'd be surprised how much work a strombus snail would do to move around the sand bed


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[Nekko123]

Thank you

Thank you

I just don't like the look of bare bottom. And above is correct if the sand bed isn't ridiculously thick it can be moved around plenty with the right critters. Even in that small of a tank you'd be surprised how much work a strombus snail would do to move around the sand bed


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Thanks for you advice. I will take it all into consideration. Also, I've seen some information about putting a airstone in the tank. Is this really necessary?

Thanks

 

[ssgss gogeta]

Thanks for you advice. I will take it all into consideration. Also, I've seen some information about putting a airstone in the tank. Is this really necessary?



Thanks

I'm not familiar with these tanks you've got we don't have them here. So not sure if it has an aio rear sump or a sump itself or nothing. Either way I'm gonna assume your main nutrient export is water change. Normally skimmers do a lot of providing oxygen but with a 10g not sure if you will have a skimmer. As long as you have either a return or a powerhead/wave maker providing surface agitation you shouldn't need an air stone


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[Nekko123]

Thank you

Thank you

All I have in the tank is a heater and power head, so I guess I will be okay without an air stone.
Thanks for you input.

 

[ca1ore]

Cannot imagine what purpose an airstone would have in a properly circulated reef tank, and it will make a mess while happily doing nothing for you.

 

[mako61]

There are pros and cons to both. Go with what you think looks best, at least thats what I did.

I have a couple fighting conches in my sandbed that I love to watch. They stir the sand without getting sand everywhere. Cool little critters and not expensive.

 

[ComforablyNumb]

I went bare bottom for easier removal of detritus.
I used to have white sand, but I dont keep gobies anymore so no need.

Bottom looks ok to me:

No aeration in any saltwater tank..you'll probably regret it if you do.

 

[Xandernfs]

Sand beds or even DSBs can be nitrate factories, but bared bottom could be a royal PITA to keep looking clean. Get some sand sifting snails and you'll be good to go. Nassarius snails work wonders for sand sifting and pretty fun to watch.

 

[Wazzel]

Bare bottom is really not better or worse than sand, it is just different. I like bare bottom because it lets me have high flow and power heads near the bottom without worrying about sand blowing all over the place. Not having sand also allows me to syphon out crud during water changes. There is really no down side to the filtration side. It does look sterile for a while and there are some critters you can not keep, like certain wrasses and gobies. In the end it is just an option and you need to figure out what type of bottom will fit you reef keeping style.

 

[bbgobie]

Regarding the air stone, they are generally never used on a reef tank, however there recently has been interesting information regarding injecting micro bubbles on purpose. However I think this is a much more advanced topic and you should probably focus on getting the basics set up first.

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