nano with barebottom or sand?

[Costa reefing]

Im going to be setting up a small tank soon (5-10g) with a minimal aquascape and just 1 or 2 frags, either 2 sps frags or a rhizo/denro combo. For a tank this size, would the sand be beneficial or would it be there to just look pretty?

Oh and for some reason I really want to make it a surge tank, so would that affect my choice? I think the sand might go flying around.

Thanks!

 

[brainchild24]

@CR I would got bare bottom as its a bit easier to keep clean, also if you have a decent amount of rock work it will serve as enough surface area for bacterial growth. I just switched my 7.5gallon (mr. aqua cube) over to BB and it has been pretty nice not having to siphon my sand bed for detritus.

 

[Agu]

I think sand makes the tank look more natural.


jmo,

 

[cherubfish pair]

If you put a sand bed in and don't like it, you can always take it out.

 

[nvdiz]

sand looks better than glass

 

[stagger_lee]

sand always for me.

 

[miniwhinny]

BB for sure

 

[Costa reefing]

I think i will go with bare bottom just because of the ease of cleaning. I will either put the tank over some marble or granite or cut a piece of black acrylic on the bottom of the tank.

Il post pics once i get started

 

[stagger_lee]

Thats a really good idea with the black acrylic insert. I never like the reflective quality of bare glass on the bottom. I would definitely like try a black acrylic bottom myself now, maybe even sanded down a little so it is somewhat flat, non reflective at all.

 

[Costa reefing]

Maybe acrylic is sold with a non glossy surface? I don't see why not.

 

[iheartJMS]

What about painting the bottom of the tank like people do on the back?

 

[emkelly09]

What about painting the bottom of the tank like people do on the back?

My 10g Nano is barebottom. I painted the back and bottom black and it looks great

 

[Costa reefing]

pics or it never happened

 

[iheartJMS]

pics or it never happened

If you paint yours it would happen I'm also curious to see some pics of how the bottom painted looks too :bounce1:

 

[jdokos]

I had my 18" cube built with a piece of black acrylic over the bottom. It does reflect some, but i like it pretty well.

 

[chinx rican]

would the reflection help coral get some extra light?

 

[stagger_lee]

would the reflection help coral get some extra light?

Not significant amounts.

 

[miniwhinny]

I painted the bottom of the 20L I'm just starting a sand color. Looks good

 

[Costa reefing]

Very nice

 

[chinx rican]

I painted the bottom of the 20L I'm just starting a sand color. Looks good


Now get a goby and see if he tries to sift the glass