The "How to go Barebottom thread."

[Weatherman]

Hi SeanT, I'm starting out a BB this weekend. Saw in one of your posts that Acrylic release Phosphorous to tank water, is this confirmed/scientifically supported? I am selecting some media as racks for the LR as such inputs from you will be very much helpful

Phosphate plasticizers are used in some plastic formulations in order to give the plastic flexibility and durability (although phosphate plasticizers usually represent a small fraction of the total plasticizer used). Hereââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s an example of an application:

http://www.geomembrane.com/TechPapers/OutdoorExposure.htm

Some of these compounds may volatize into the surrounding air or leach into the surrounding water.

I wasnââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t able to find a reference for how much phosphate plasticizers are used in acrylic, but there might be some.

 

[SeanT]

Many objects, such as PVC pipes, do indeed leech plasticizers into your water column.
This can be combated by soaking them in water.

However, if you are starting a new tank from scratch I wouldn't worry about it at all.
Your WC's will take care of it in no time.

hth,
Sean

 

[REEF-DADDY]

Many objects, such as PVC pipes, do indeed leech plasticizers into your water column.
This can be combated by soaking them in water.

However, if you are starting a new tank from scratch I wouldn't worry about it at all.
Your WC's will take care of it in no time.

hth,
Sean

WC's?

 

[Ereefic]

Water Changes

 

[SeanT]

 

[ClamLover]

Thanks buddies, for the help. I've been soaking PVC pipes and all sorts of related plastics in water suspecting that it would be good, glad I've been doing that. Yeah, WCs are really crucial. Will post pics once I'm ready

 

[jugger]

60+ lbs of LR may be a bit much for a 20 gallon tank.

As for the rock bed idea I would say that the inherent problems are twofold.
1. The ability to get flow down low to sweep the detritus up and to the skimmer would be hindered by all the rock.
2. The ability to siphon detritus out would be hindered by all the rock.

hth,
Sean

How about this idea to go barebottom but do it in a way with a false bottom (the plastic square grid stuff) about 1 inch of space under it. And put 2-3 inch pieces of live rock on the top it to cover it up. Then put two pumps on each side of the tank with one shooting water down into the false bottom to push debris to the other side of the tank where the other pump is. This pump would then suck the water and debris up and way to the skimmer.

thanks

 

[REEF-DADDY]

Water Changes

lol!

 

[Large Polyp Dave]

i've been running a 180BB tank with literally 2 trochus snails in there and no other clean up crew.

i don't definitely have fuzzy plumbing =) but the rocks are pretty clean...

maybe i'll step up the clean up crew heh

 

[causeofhim]

Large Polyp Dave - How long has this tank been set up? How is your bioload?

 

[verde_ad]

You know, I am kind of interested in the whole clean up crew in a bb tank as well. I am thinking about getting an H. Tusk for my BB reef, so that pretty much meens clean up crew is gone eventually. Would it be a bad decision to try and clean things manually, rather then the use of snails?

 

[REEF-DADDY]

You know, I am kind of interested in the whole clean up crew in a bb tank as well. I am thinking about getting an H. Tusk for my BB reef, so that pretty much meens clean up crew is gone eventually. Would it be a bad decision to try and clean things manually, rather then the use of snails?

When I first set up my 55g I waited a few months for the tank to build up algea. I did the best I could keeping things clean. The tank overall looked a little dingy and greenish(was not using RO water). When I added the clean up crew I placed them next to a piece of green Tonga branch rock. It was like a cartoon, as they made there way to the top purples, whites, an pinks came out. Within a few days the tank looked awesome and my nitrates even started to fall. I would not run any tank without a crew!

 

[Large Polyp Dave]

tank has been setup for 8 or 9 months.

bioload: pink tail trigger, yellow tang, flame angel, strawberry pseudochormis, small regal tang, 3 stripe damsel.

feed 1/4 sheet of nori and a pinch of pellets a each day

i didn't raise my rocks off the starboard though so I'm having a bit of a problem getting the detritus vacuumed out.

Do you guys think it's worth stripping down the tank and putting those plastic pegs to raise the rocks? I bet I have some nasty stuff breaking down in there.

(ignore those mspaint arrows heh)

 

[Large Polyp Dave]

the thing is, i WOULD add more snails. but i have some parasitic pyramid snails that are attacking my cleanup crew snails (although they have never touched the 5 clams in there.

i only found this thread today. and have been seriously contemplating stripping everything down and using something to lift the rocks.

i hate how after months and months of research. i discover that i screwed something up setting up =)


to the guys that are running BB setups the way it's supposed to be.. do you have any algae even in your overflows?

 

[Weatherman]

to the guys that are running BB setups the way it's supposed to be.. do you have any algae even in your overflows?

In my 120, which is my cleanest bare-bottom setup, I have a little bit of this:

And, a little bit of that:

I donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t know what the first one is, but the second one is Dictyota

Both hitchhiked in on rocks that coral were attached to. Unfortunately, I havenââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t found anything that eats it, so I remove it by hand.

 

[Large Polyp Dave]

but that's all the algae you have?? wow.. that's what i want =)

weatherman.. i noticed in your picture you don't have any visible "rocks racks" or pegs lifting your rockwork.. How do you achieve high flowrates underneath the rocks in your 120? Just good pump placement?

 

[Weatherman]

How do you achieve high flowrates underneath the rocks in your 120? Just good pump placement?

Good rock selection and placementââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦

Almost all my rock is branching pieces with just the tips touching the bottom.

 

[Bomber]

I donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t know what the first one is,

Liagora pinnata

Now it's a pain when your 'problem' algae is a reef crest algae that likes clean water too. LOL

 

[Weatherman]

Liagora pinnata

Any suggestions on what might like to eat it (or the Dictyota)?

The Dictyota is especially a pain to remove by hand because it sticks to the rocks.

 

[Bomber]

The only thing I've even found that really eats Y-branch is true emerald crabs.
And Atlantic surgeons and doctor fish eat the Liagora. But I don't think you want a school of those in your tank.