Running around Bare Bottom

[BC Sparky]

Hey out there! I just spent the better part of an hour reading a post requesting pictures of bare bottom tanks. Sparked quite a debate for a pisture request! Now it has me thinking about the tank I am about to start. My tank is approx. 220 Gal. I'm planning a reef, 3- 250W MH +T5 lighting etc, etc. etc. My question is this- I originally planned on a DSB, if I was to change my mind and where to go BB would I need increased flow (more power heads etc)? My tank has double 1" overflows and double 3/4" Returns so I'm not sure how that leaves my requirement for additional power heads either way.

Thanks for your input.

:strooper: :strooper: :strooper:

 

[javajaws]

Yes you would need more flow. With a BB you've got to get that detritus suspended so you can get it out into the overflow.

Before you second guess yourself though, check this out:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=700454

Regardless of what route you go, you're probably going to need some sort of closed loop or additional circulation (Tunze Streams?) on a 220g tank.

 

[SeanT]

The "How to go Barebottom thread."

hth,
Sean

 

[Fast Fred]

As a bare bottom reefer, I just vaccuum out the detritus every week in conjunction with my water change. Works great for me.

 

[BC Sparky]

Thanks a milllion. I will continue with my research, unfortunatley every time I make a decision I read something to contradict that decision- thank goodness for this forum- should proove to be the death of me...or my pocket book! So many variables, so many choices...a little over whelming.

 

[Teremei]

If you are going to go barebottom (not my preference, but whatever), make sure to read SeanT's thread it will contain info about cooking rocks, which you must do if you plan to go BB. (not my preference, but whateva)

 

[BC Sparky]

Teremei- I assume you prefer DSB? I was leaning that way originally because it looks more natural when leaving some space between rocks. What bkind of maintenance do you do to your DSB and how often???

 

[REEF-DADDY]

Go BB you will love it!, just make sure you cook your rocks. The starboard looks like sand enough for me. Its easier to add sand later if you don't like it.

 

[BC Sparky]

If you buy cured live rock, do you have to "cook" it anyway? Can you "cook" it right in the aquarium, seeing as nothing else will be in it?

 

[graveyardworm]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6542229#post6542229 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BC Sparky
If you buy cured live rock, do you have to "cook" it anyway? Can you "cook" it right in the aquarium, seeing as nothing else will be in it?

You could "cook" your rock in your tank, but it would most likely be more costly. The easiest way/cheapest way is to purchase a rubbermaid Brute trash can and do your cooking there. Unless you are planning a small reef say under 55 gals. Be prepared for alot of 100% water changes. If you were to use your tank you risk damaging the tank ( scratches ) because you'll be moving the rock in and out quite a few times.

 

[javajaws]

I cooked my rock in my tank...no scratches, only minimal water changes...I can't say that it would have been cheaper to cook it in a trashcan. Instead of swishing my rocks I used a maxijet 1200 to blow them off....with barebottom and high flow not much of the detritus stayed in the tank. The heavier stuff I just sucked out during water changes (it gathers in 1 spot in my tank due to circulation patterns). I used a filter sock on the overflow to catch the stuff that made it into the overflow.

 

[BC Sparky]

So are we saying that you have to Cook cured rock as well???? What's the point to buying cured rock then???

 

[sidjam]

i disagree that you have to cook your rock to go bb. if i was buying new liverock the last thing i would do is cook it.

 

[BC Sparky]

Why??? or why not cook?

 

[javajaws]

I cooked my rock (in-tank w/o lights) because I had a desire to have minimal algae problems. If I put the lights on that new rock there would have been a good chance that algae would have proliferated and "locked-in" the detritus, thus preventing all that stuff from being removed from my tank. I felt cooking my rock increased my odds significantly of having a successfull, low-nutrient, algae free tank. All the pods, feather dusters, multiple colors of coralline algae, etc. have all survived the process. If anything is going to die off it'll more likely happen when the rock is being dry shipped from overseas to you.

The term "curing" live rock is a terrible term. What does it mean exactly? 0 ammonia and nitrite? Most people think so. I happen to think to correctly "cure" live rock you have to let it stabilize with its environment...not just complete the denitrification process, but also complete the process of purging and decomposition of dead/decaying matter as well. These are the processes that continually release PO4 into your system. Once the rock has finished both of these it can be said to have been "cured".

BTW, if you buy "cured" live rock and have it shipped to you it is no longer 100% "cured" (in the traditional sense)...there will still be some die off from the shipping process to your house. Why put the rock through 2 "cure" processes? Just buy the uncured rock in the first place. Just my opinion of course...

My "uncured" live rock cycled in a week with very low levels of ammonia and nitrite being produced. 4 months later it is NO3 and PO4 free with minimal water changes and no phosphate reducing media.

 

[Skepperz]

I am also running a BB tank, I just siphon out the detritus that collects in little piles, I do this weekly along with water changes.

Personally I have never cooked my LR, but I can see the process would greatly increase your prospects of our continual search for a nutrient free system!

 

[Sindjin]

Yes. Go Barebottom.
Yes. Cook your rocks in a seperate container for at least 6 weeks with no light.
Yes. You will need more circulation.

The key is patience and learning. Learn all you can about rock cooking. I did NOT cook my rock and it was a lot of effort to cure it in tank. If you do decide to go DSB, cook your rock seperately before placing it in your display on the new sandbed.