The "How to go Barebottom thread."

For nitrate removal think efficient skimming, water changes siphoning out all the crud, carbon dosing, and stocking correctly. I have very little rock in my tank and I am BB and have NO nitrate. I wouldn't worry about nitrate and one of those gadgets, but a good skimmer is a must with BB IMHO.
 
Hi and Thanks

I like Deltec so I will get good skimmer from them.

The sulfur nitrate filter don't seem to have made much head way into the US market, the reports I have read from users of them over the last week from around the world, while I have been looking / researching all sound very good. I will see how things stand after the tank cycles and proceed from there.

In the mean time I think i will search from more about sulfur nitrate filters and the remote DSD idea.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10506471#post10506471 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by waynem
Hi and Thanks

I like Deltec so I will get good skimmer from them.

The sulfur nitrate filter don't seem to have made much head way into the US market, the reports I have read from users of them over the last week from around the world, while I have been looking / researching all sound very good. I will see how things stand after the tank cycles and proceed from there.

In the mean time I think i will search from more about sulfur nitrate filters and the remote DSD idea.
Click to expand...

I am all for the nitrate filter. I was just saying it isn't necessary particularly if you take care of your tank and buy a deltec. Just because it isn't necessary doesn't mean you shouldnt get it though. Kind of like running ozone and having an ORP controller/monitor isn't necessary but I am looking into it. Shoot even a calcium reactor isn't necessary but is a great thing to have so yeah by all means go for it, but you just dont need it. My main point is you really dont need ANY sand. JUST LET GO!!!!!!!!!! Its kind of like an adolescent who can't let go of his favorite teddy bear from his early days you know.:D

Do what works for you..I was just letting you know that with a good skimmer and proper husbandry you need not worry about nitrates.
 
Quick question,
I am thinking about going BB, it is tough to give up the sandbed. I just moved to Okinawa Japan and my tank is arriving here in a couple weeks. I will be collecting all the live rock myself from the ocean and wondered if I would still need to cook my rock? There should be no dieoff as the rocks will be going directly from the ocean into my tank.
 
I'm looking into a Nitrate filter too. H&S has a model but seems a little pricey for what is does. There are many DIY plans around - maybe I'll try on of them
 
I am thinking about going BB, it is tough to give up the sandbed. I just moved to Okinawa Japan and my tank is arriving here in a couple weeks. I will be collecting all the live rock myself from the ocean and wondered if I would still need to cook my rock? There should be no dieoff as the rocks will be going directly from the ocean into my tank.
Click to expand...
They will be die off even though you will be putting it directly in your tank. Should you cook the rock???? that is up to you but I went BB and did not cook the rock and it was fine. Rock cooking will kill off all that is unwanted and wanted in one shot.
good luck with your choice
Michael
 
It is hard to give up the sand, mostly out of fear of the loss of nitrate reduction capability.
My new skimmer arrives tomorrow so I will start to setup the tank and see how the nitrates are in a month or so without the DSB.

I did look at a few DIY plans and if I had time v ability I think that would be the best way to go.
 
For me the sand is more of an appearance thing, I just think it makes a tank look more natural. I do think when BB is done correctly it is far easier to maintain good water parameters. So there is where the dilemma arises for me.
 
Going bb

Going bb

Have been considering this for a while. Just finished the thread and have decided to make the plunge. current system consist of 120 display, 3 x 4 x 1 (90 gl) prop tank, 90 gl AGA fuge, 30 gl & 50 gl tanks, and 100 gl stock tub sump all plumed together for aprox 430 gl. Custom built skimmer 8" x 20" reaction chamber fed by a genx 6000 (non recirculating) with a genx 4100 that is recirculating (both have mesh wheel mod) Will use 2 Tunze 6060s and 1 6080 for circulation in the display. Have Ozotech 265 mg hr ozone generator w/American Marine Ozone controller. MTC Pro-Cal calcium reactor. I have a little over 3 years reef experience. Am going to cook all rock. Had a sand bed solidify on me, removed and replaced it with all new and the new also solidified. Am upgrading the display from an old AGA to the new Oceanic. Starfire front glass, long thin overflow across the back center that is covered, and black back.
will start the process this weekend and post progress. Appreciate feedback and suggestions.
 
Last edited:
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10529377#post10529377 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by trueblackpercula
Rock cooking will kill off all that is unwanted and wanted in one shot.
Click to expand...
Wellll...I wouldn't say that it kills off much of what is wanted except for coralline.
 
vicmiller,

The best advice I can give is to not UNDER do your rock "cooking" and to be vigilant on siphoning the sluff coming out of your rock for the first few months.

Sean
 
does aqnyone have issues with lingering trates with there barebottom setup?

i have 5ppm nitrates or a tad less that just lingers around.

here is my setup.

125g main
90# cooked rock
30g sump
and a pos kent nautalis skimmer with a mag7 feeding it
vortech powerhead, maxijet 1200 and 1400 of return turnover wich is roughly a total of 5800gph turn over
i run carbon in a reactor
and skim wet...so wet at times i have to empty my skimmers cup 2x a day

i have a total of 3 fish...2 clowns and a tang in this tank, also have the reminance of my old clean up crew of various snails and hermits.

also forgot to mention i do 30g water change every 2 weeks aswell as fresh carbon at the same time as water change
 
I think you should start with the POS Kent skimmer. Get a real skimmer dude! Your other practices seem good to me though your flow rate isn't very high. I'm running about 75X turnover rate in my 90 BB and I'm keeping LPS!
 
say what?!?

i have a ton of flow in my tank...i couldnt imagin if i had any more.

i know the skimmer is a total pos, it works great for a day or two then it needs to be adjusted all the time.....im actually looking into the ati bm 250 for an upgrade

im also buying another vortech pump so ill have one on each side of the tank.
 
My math says you have roughly 4700 gph of flow with current setup. It about 37X times tank volume. I guess that's pretty good. Don't listen to me. I'm all about overkill when it comes to flow and skimmers. Are you getting the WWD for your Vortechs?
 
yea i know, im loving every bit of it too, my corals look so much better, i can control all my water parims easyer and more accuratly, its just a far better way of dealing with a reef tank.

i lost many tanks to old tank syndrom and now i dont have to worrie about it, i just got to make sure my skimmers cup is empty
 
hey all you BB guys got a question. Are you running a sand bed at all inyour sump or in a remote dsb.I will be starting my tank up shortly and was just wondering.If not then what kind of filteration do you have in your sump.thanks for the responses.
 
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