Keep sand or remove it?

[tom obrecht]

Now I know there are many threads on the sand debate....before you answer hear me out. I have a 120 gallon all sps display that is finally filling in. Here's my situation. I have been increasing flow over the last 1 1/2 years to keep dead spots to a minimum and the corals happy. The more flow I give the tank the better it seems to respond. I currently run 4 Tunze 6095's on a controller and a Gyre 1300. As you can see no lack of movt in the display. The problem is my sand bed. Old snail shells, pieces of coral accidentally broken off ever drifting sand ect make what I feel a distraction on the corals. The coral growth makes it difficult to sift the sand to remove shells ect so here's my real question.

For those of you who have no sand or removed your sand bed after having one do you regret it? I could replace the bare bottom look with perhaps zoos or ricordias and maybe plating species of sps but in your opinion will that look goofy or stupid? I see soo many great displays here with beautiful sand beds and mine looks like a Vietnam land mine field of snail shells ect that are very difficult to clean up without breaking corals.
Thoughts?

 

[Wazzel]

I do not have sand. I use non-encrusting LPS to take a way the sterile look of the bare bottom. I would be reluctant to use any plating, encrusting or matting coral on fear they would eventually get on the rocks and/or glass and be hard to control long term.

 

[tom obrecht]

Hey Wazzel. Thanks for the insight. Any chance you have any pics so I can get an idea what I'm thinking about? Was thinking maybe different chalices to encrust the bottom. I have a large overhang with very few contact points with the bottom so maybe it could be done.

 

[rovster]

I love sand. Have done it both ways. Have you considered getting some conchs or cukes to help with turnover? As far as the extra stuff in the sand you just have to get at it.

If you do decide to remove the sand, keep in mind the sand plays s huge role in the denitrification process. You may have to resort to carbon disinfect to compensate....

 

[Wazzel]

Hey Wazzel. Thanks for the insight. Any chance you have any pics so I can get an idea what I'm thinking about? Was thinking maybe different chalices to encrust the bottom. I have a large overhang with very few contact points with the bottom so maybe it could be done.

from my tank thread.

A quick iPad shot. I am not done cleaning and what not.