Barebottom - Drawbacks?

[DEIGNAN14]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15280746#post15280746 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Superstretch18
I've run both barebottom and with sand and I don't think I would ever run another tank without sand.

Aesthetics is a big part of it, but you also limit the biodiversity in the main tank. Granted, if you are running a fuge, you are going to at least be cultivating it elsewhere. But for me, personally, I find the life that comes with a live sand bed to be one of the most interesting parts of owning a tank. That's really just my personal preference though...

I would question whether having a fuge on a low nutrient sps tank is going to be beneficial. The extremely low nutrient levels are going to make cultivating macro harder. Also, keeping sand out of the main tank, just to create a nutrient sink in the fuge's dsb is going to be counter productive. If the macro winds up growing well, it's likely because the DSB is providing nutrients, which if that is the case, you might as well have sand in the main tank.

This is all my internal thought process, so I'm not shooting down your plans, by any means. Just if I was doing a low nutrient bare-bottom system, I'd go with the biggest skimmer I could afford/fit, kill the fuge and possibly consider dosing vodka...

Thank you man! This is the stuff I need to hear! The idea behind the fuge is not to cultivate macro - but to eliminate nutrients and feed the tank with pods etc... I agree that a nutrient sink is a nutrient sink - so I am going to be giving this one some more thought...

 

[huskysglare1]

crazed, not to be mean, but have you tried the search engine here? it fails 90% of the time. i get didly swat when i try searching.,

 

[Whisperer]

You will never get anywhere near a DBS when you see the stinking mess that are under it over time. Talk about Unforgettable.

 

[DEIGNAN14]

been there done that - don't mind the low tide smell believe it or not!

I am mostly concerned about sandstorms and cleanliness. Also, Im in sales and I move frequently. I enjoy everything about moving a tank - aside from dealing with the sand!

 

[cabrego]

The biggest problem with my BB tank is debris build up from rocks chipping over time, the debris does not syphon out so I have to scooop it out.

 

[stanlalee]

the biggest drawback is detritus build up. If your set up like a typical SPS you have low flow LPS on the bottom (usually the only place they can go and not be blasted with flow). Bare bottom requires a good bit of flow down low to keep things suspended. theres a small window between enough flow down low and ability to keep low flow LPS like acans and blasto down there. I had it set up where everything settled in one back corner so I could just siphon it out at water change time but I didn't like doing that so I adjusted flow accordingling. I have over 75x turnover as is but in the future I'm going to place a Vortech MP10 out of sight and mind down low behind the rocks with its only purpose to pulse and keep detritus suspended.
Other than that bare bottom is more cleaner and hassle free for me. I can rip across a magfloat like I'm mad at it. In my tank with sand I have to be so careful. Basically I and the inhabitants can do anything we wish without stirring up a mess or clouding the tank. I love bare bottom!

 

[luther1200]

I have a SSB and a 3" SB in the fuge. My DT SB is only 2". I didn't want a DSB in the DT but wanted the look of the sand. I just don't like BB. If you have a BB tank you have to have it totally packed with corals so it doesn't look funny, IMO. And I don't really like the "packed" look. I prefer a more open aquascape.

 

[Alaskan Reefer]

The biggest drawback to BB is inability to keep some LPS -- the flow you want in a BB makes it very hard to place LPS and keep them happy. You also can't keep most fish that rely on sand and/or pods for happiness/food.

The other problem is the Sand People and their hate for the BB look constantly pervading BB threads. I like how it looks -- pink cutting boards of purity to me wins over the light brown shifting outhouse.

 

[Rich D]

pink cutting boards of purity to me wins over the light brown shifting outhouse.

HAHAHA that was deep

 

[mortis13]

the biggest problem with bare bottoms is that when cold your cheeks go red and if slapped, may sting. apart from that, go for it.

 

[jenglish]

If you are looking to emulate a reeftop and go all SPS, and you have no critters that need sand, then it is just a matter of aesthetics. The detritus being easy to see is good as long as you clean it up. With proper flow it should end up settling out in the sump or filter sock anyway.