sps dominated bare bottom?

[TarheelReefer22]

I have read several threads already on the pros and cons of a bb tank opposed to the sb or dsb methods. What I'm wondering is the sucess specfically in a sps dominated tank. I have recently split my 160 gallon mixed reef into a 45 g shallow frag tank for my sps and a ten nano for my zoas. I love the idea and understand I will upgrade my protien skimmer and add more flow (running return pump and voetec mp10). I also like the idea of my sb not consuming a measurable amount of total volume adding more water to my system. I am constantly bliwing sand off my montis and well all my corals. There will also be a wrasse and some gobies that will have to go although I have read some sucess with make a "sandbox" in a lower flow area for the wrasse to sleep in, ideas or sucess with this? I will post pics before and after as well as process...

 

[epicurus84]

Some wrasse sleep in rocks.

I also think keeping the sand in the box will not happen a Wrasse will remove it bit by bit each time it dives in.

I like a SB just for the looks, and with some piles it's enough for wrasse most of the time.

A DSB is not used over here anymore mainly because its considered high risk. A rDSB (as in in the sump or completely separate) is the preferred way to go over here.

In short i don't like the look of full Bare bottom tanks, however i can see the advantages of clear class to clean it properly.

 

[NeilFox]

Doesn't matter with good maintenance. It looks better IMO and isn't all that tough. Vacuum it and be careful not to knock things over.

 

[Andyf30]

I'm about to go bb in my new 50 gallon. Gonna be almost entirely sps (I have 4 lps, and maybe 3 kinda of zoas, 2 of which will be sold, while I have 20 plus species of sps.) I'm tired of dealing with sand bed. I made early mistakes and it is loaded with nutrients. I now have issues with algae, and it's because of lack of flow and detritus build up early in my Aquarium's life.

Also as far as wrasses go, the most common sand sleeping group of wrasse is the Halichoeres family. I have 2 in my current tank, a radiant and a melanurus, both of which are going to use a sand bin in the new tank. I'll let you know how the sand bin goes.

My flow is going to sky rocket as well. I'm going from 2 Tunze 6015 nanostreams and 2 koralia nanos, to 2 Tunze 6045's and the two 6015's from the previous tank. Only slow spot will be for my two clams

 

[ormet]

There are a lot of threads and info regarding BB and SPS. I dont think anyone questions that you can get a successful sps reef with BB method. But as NeilFox said, its about husbandry in the end, not methods.

I would like to call my BB 100% sps reef successful

 

[Blueline12]

Do it. I have a 180g SPS dominate and its been BB for about 2yrs. It's the easiest way to keep clean. My 5 flame wrasses sleep in the rock. No worries of blowing sand or nutrient laden sand beds. It's the best way.

 

[TarheelReefer22]

Ok guys I have pulled the trigger and decided to do the bb method. I have started uploading pics to photobucket and will post some tonight. I decided the sandbox thing was too much for be ro deal with now so my melanerias wrasse and bar gobies are going to a better suitable home. Thanks for all the input I can't wait its going to be a long night. Also just in case any chimes in on this issue this current sand bed has onlu been in place for months and I will be doing a 80% wc to avoid a nutrient spike look forward to comments...

 

[TarheelReefer22]

This is my tank currently with sand bed...

This is what I'm dealing with...

This is the piece of egg crate I cut to fit the bottom and around my overflow which is in the corner its a deepblue 45 g frag tank...

 

[ormet]

Are you putting that eggcrate in the tank after you remove the sand? If so, why?

 

[xrayjeeper83]

Egg create will help keep the rock from shifting

 

[Andyf30]

It will also create a multitude of dead spots. Not sure why you are using it. Just make sure things aren't in positions to fall down.

 

[TarheelReefer22]

I have a glass bottom tank and would rather protect it from falling rocks. My turbos sqeeze through places and will shift rocks from time to time so better safe than sorry. I know this will lead to dead spots in the crate but I do weekly water changes where I will concentrate my sphioning. I am almost done with the process now and will post pictures later tonight of the whole process and before and after. Fair warning this is a tedious and long process it has taken me around six hours and makes sure u are well prepared. I had over enough ro/di water two extra bags of reef crystals ten five gallon buckets and I brought my patience ...

 

[DiscusHeckel]

I have a bb tank, which is sps dominated with large clams and LPS. I also keep a Halichoeres hortulanus. It seems to be living happily in my tank. It sleeps under the rocks during the night.

 

[ormet]

I have a glass bottom tank and would rather protect it from falling rocks.

Use a sheet of acrylic or star board. Egg crate on the bottom kinda defeats the purpouse of BB. Check out denadais tank with white acrylic or have a look at my tank (pic attached)

The biggest reason for BB is to have a clean smooth surface where detritus will not settle but rather go over the overflow into a filter sock, skimmer or settling area. Or just in a vortex created by streampumps for easy daily siphoning. (the red circle in my picture shows where i siphon 2-3 times a week)

To have egg crate on the bottom sounds like the worst of two worlds.

 

[Andyf30]

My only concern with starboard is that I'm not sure where I can get it cut to go around my over flow. Is yours siliconed in? or just resting on the bottom?

 

[halcyonism]

Just make sure that your rock work is secure and you don't need to worry about starboard or any other material on the bottom of your tank.

 

[TarheelReefer22]

I'm just so nervous about a falling rock I guess something there helps me sleep better at night if not any noise I hear I'd be jumping out of bed to make sure my tank was still intact :/

 

[MammothReefer]

I had sand, removed it now I'm 90% BB. Most of the bottom of my tank is covered with mariplugs, small rocks, or coral growth so even if something fell over it would be near impossible to hit bottom glass. Once you start putting in your corals you will fuse most of your rocks together depending on how you lay things out so it's not something I worry much about.

 

[ormet]

Is yours siliconed in? or just resting on the bottom?

Just resting on the botom but if i had the chance i would silicone it. Its a bit bent upwards in the corners and detritus find its way under the acrylic.

Its not really there to protect from rocks, more for the look. Rock protection is just an added bonus .. altho i like low scapes so i never realy pile rock.

 

[TarheelReefer22]

I had sand, removed it now I'm 90% BB. Most of the bottom of my tank is covered with mariplugs, small rocks, or coral growth so even if something fell over it would be near impossible to hit bottom glass. Once you start putting in your corals you will fuse most of your rocks together depending on how you lay things out so it's not something I worry much about.

This would be nice but I'm currently livi g in an apt so this isn't my perminent home and I will be moving soon so I try and keep things in a movable fashion