SPS System Setup ?'s

[pili]

My brother and I are going to be setting up a SPS only system (probably around 150g total) but we have a few questions on the setup first. The basic plan is to have 2 tank connected into one sump or something along those lines.

Originally our plan was to just run the system completely bare bottom throughout and skim heavily (2 skimmers, one running wet and one dry) and go from there. Yesterday though, we saw Julian Sprung speak and he is an advocate of sand beds and plenums so he got us thinking.

Now my brother and i disagree on how to set the system up. IMO, i think we should keep both displays BB but have a remote plenum for the additional nitrification but still have the benefits of a BB display and still skim somewhat heavily.

My brother thinks that his display should have a DSB (my tank is only 10" tall so a dsb is not an option in my part of the system) and plenum. His argument is that no one he has seen is running a plenum and BB displays so there must be a reason why not.

And then there is just running the system completely BB like we originally planned which is always an option.

I know this is a very controversial issue but if any one could give some advice relating specifically to an sps only tank, which would be very helpful.

 

[examiner]

With good water quality, the right equipment and proper husbandry.......

any of the options you've set forth will work for a SPS tank.

It's a question that can't really be answered. Do what you want to do, and if you do it right, it'll work. Good luck w/ your brother!!

 

[wakefreak33]

There are lots of people who run barebottom with a DSB somewhere remote to the system, "DSB in a bucket." I heard Sprung talk a month ago about the same think, and I think the point of his talk is for a more community oriented reef tank, not an SPS specific tank focused on achieving the best color. If I were going to set up a mixed tank it would have a sand bed, but any SPS tank I set up will be bare bottom for low nutirent levels. Just my .02 for what its worth.

Both systems can give you great results if maintained properly for that particular system. I would choose one of the two ways and both of you stick to it.

 

[Purple Haze]

Tell him Chuck Norris runs his tank barebottom. After that, he'll be so scared he'll let you setup the tanks anyway you please and let you have his girlfriend

 

[xtrstangx]

Lol.. nice chuck norris joke.

Anyways, I think having a sand bed somewhere in the system kinda defeats the purpose of BB. It allows someplace for the junk to settle and will eventually fill up like any other kind of sand bed. In that case, the only point of bare bottom in your display is aesthetics (if you prefer BB over SB)