Going Barebottom Right now!! Any Tips?

[143gadgets]

I am changing my current mixed reef into a BB. I will not be cooking the rocks because I have too much coraline to loose. I was wondering if those of you who have barebottoms can give me some tips as well as those who have not cooked their rock. You may ask, "Why am I going BB?" simply because I kind of like the look and want to try something new. I hope that the grass is greener on the other side! TIA

 

[143gadgets]

Before

 

[SeanT]

Seriously, the ONLY reason you aren't "cooking" your rocks is because of coraline?

Then I got some advice for you...make the siphon hose your bestest buddy.

 

[SeanT]

Also, your tank is gorgeous...not a lick of algae in sight.

Bump up your cleanup crew...read my sig.

Increase flow and skim wetter.

Filter socks for a few weeks will help catch the crud as well.

Sean

 

[AHBrit]

a large cleanup crew is debatable with BB.
Time for the controversy lol

My cleanup crew is 1 sea hare and 4 urchins
i admit i had an algae bloom for about a month, but it has receeded to almost nothing. Tank has been running 2 months. i figure in another month it will be totally undetectable.

 

[143gadgets]

I don't mind using the siphon hose for the next two months or so. I just want to keep the coraline on my rocks. I have had the rocks in my tank for about 9 months and before that they were in a 120 gallon for threee years. So I am kinda praying that most of the shedding is gone, but I am prepared itf it is not. I will up the amount of astreas and ceriths next week. How many would you recommend. It is a 75 gallon.

 

[SeanT]

Total I would go to start with is 30 Astreas and 60 Cerith's,

 

[Chaotic Reefer4u]

good advice

 

[143gadgets]

UPDATE!!!

All of the rock and corals are out in separate rubbermaids. I am taking out the fish now. Thanks guys!

Anymore tips!!!

 

[Sindjin]

Your Rock IS Gorgeous.

I would at least Dunk and Swish all your rock in buckets of Salt water. If you can, post pics of the crud that comes out!

Filter Socks and snails! I would also plan on blowing the rock out with a TBaster or Powerhead once or twice a week...at least in the beginning to aid in any shedding.

Good Luck!!!

 

[143gadgets]

UPDATE

I finished at 7:00 this morning and boy was I tired. I dunked and swished all the rock, ut sorry no pics. It was terrible. I never knew that the rock and sand was so dirty. Actually the rock was pretty clean it didn't make much of a mess when I Swished them in a bucket. The sand on the other hand was just nasty. I am liking it already, the tank looks clearer and just plain wonderful. I hope this works out for me. Thanks again for the advice.

 

[Sindjin]

Are you using starboard or anything under the rock?
In addition... you may need a bit more flow than you had.

 

[143gadgets]

I didn't use starboard, because I painted the bottom of the tank black (on the outside). For flow I had one seio 1100 and two MJ 1200s. I plant to add another seio 1100. Do u think that will be enough? I would like to get a couple of tunzes but not sure it that will be possible just yet.

Also, should I get rid of my fuge. It is in the middle of my sump. It has just LR and cheato.

 

[Sindjin]

I would add some more flow...depending on what you want to keep. SEIO has a 1500 and now a new 2600 as well. I have about 46x turnover in my 120 and im thinking of a bit more.

I would also ditch the fuge. It will just act as a detritus trap and soon you wont the macro!

 

[minimalist]

I think I speak for everyone when I say; pics!?

 

[Wiskey]

I have a 4 foot 50 gallon tank, I have a mag 7 return, 1 seio 1500, one seio 620 and one seio 820, and I could use more, I would definatally reccomend uping your flow.

Whiskey

 

[elephen]

Yeah you definately want more flow. On my new 120 that I setup sunday BB/starboard, I have a Dart on a closed loop, a Mag 12 for a return and a Pan World 150-PX on a closed loop powering 2 eductors and I STILL have a few low-flow areas where the detrius likes to collect.

I'll probably add a Tunze 6100 and then later on one of the new VorTech pumps.

 

[elephen]

er... not Pan World 150-PX, 150-PS... The pressure rated one. Those eductors are great though, you may look into getting a pump to power some ----- WOW is all I have to say.

 

[ErikS]

Well folks I've seen this tank in person - it's very nice.

You know what they say about "messing with success" :lol:

Likely you'll need more flow to keep the crud in suspension. I have 150g and flow is in the 7,000gph range (depends on how the Tunze are running) - still allows small piles to collect.

No real need to dump the fuge, unless it has sand in it (I forget) - just the macro & a clean bottom works. I've never been able to keep the sump entirely clean....always takes some siphoning.

You're rocks were/are very clean you shouldn't suffer through too much shedding........

But remember I'm the heritic of BB tanks so just ignore

 

[143gadgets]

Cool. I will get pics soon! Just have to get some free time. I will remove the fuge when I get home today and clean out my sump as well. Thanks again.