Choosing a Substrate for an SPS tank POLL. Please vote :)

[nwrogers]

Choosing a Substrate can be a really confusing thing when it comes to starting an SPS tank. There are so many choices and no one way to do it. I have been wondering what others are choosing for their substrates these days and there hasn’t been very many discussions about this lately in regards to SPS tanks. Please cast a vote and let us know what you are using and if you’re happy with your current substrate. Also if you have time let us know why you do or don’t like it by posting a reply. I tried to include everyone in the choices, I know it’s a lot, sorry about that. Thanks!

 

[rutz81]

I run a BB with starboard, but, am not happy only becasue detritus tends to settle under the starboard; and the only way to get it out is to remove everything... Wish I went BB with only glass. I was afraid of breaking the glass during a rockfall or something.

 

[PUGroyale]

This is the substrate Poll to end all :lol2:

I've done CC, BB, and currently medium depth SB.

 

[nwrogers]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7864814#post7864814 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PUGroyale
This is the substrate Poll to end all :lol2:

I've done CC, BB, and currently medium depth SB.

Haha! I know I couldn't help myself!

I just didn’t want to leave anyone out and I also wanted the outcome of this poll to be useful to others. So many polls leave out so many options that their outcome is inconclusive. I am hoping no one has to pick other on this poll Also I purposely left out the option “not sure yet” because I was hoping to get people, unlike me, that believe firmly one way or the other. I do not plan on voting because my tank has only been set up for 9 months and I don’t feel that it has been long enough for me to really know whether my substrate rules or stinks. Thanks for posting the info guys, I am sure this information will be very useful to lots of people just tagging along like me

 

[Znut Reefer]

I have always ran my SPS tank BB with glass. And very happy with it. So this is what I voted for. But I'm now BB with acrylic. So looks like you forgot one.

 

[xtrstangx]

1" of Carbisea Special Grade Reef Sand

 

[NoSchwag]

How long did it take you to post this?

 

[MAthU]

BB acrylic also, happy with it

 

[King-Kong]

I am other: barebottom with FAUX SAND bottom (clear epoxy combined with sand to give hard bottom but look of sand) and so far, HAPPY.

 

[Patio]

king-king will you be happy when the faux bed is covered in coraline?

 

[nwrogers]

It looks like we are collecting some really good data with this poll. From what I can see the most popular is the Bare Bottom with Glass and the Shallow Sand Bed (1.5” or shallower) is coming in close second.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7865408#post7865408 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xtrstangx
1" of Carbisea Special Grade Reef Sand

I really like the look of that sand xtrstangx. Do you do any maintenance on your sand bed? Do you replace it every so often? How long have you been using it for?