annamarie421
New member
So I'm thinking about going barebottom in my 20g. I already have a completely overkill skimmer on the tank - a Deltec MCE600, and don't mind putting some money into upgrading the flow (just running two MJ1200s and the skimmer currently).
Reasons for wanting to take out the sand:
1) The tank has been set up for nearly two years, and the medium sand bed (2-3 inches) is starting to look tired. I don't have any cyano, or sand issues yet, but I'm thinking it could be a matter of time before I do. I have a fair amount of nassarius snails, worms, and other sandbed creatures keeping it stirred up, but it's still not looking great.
2) I'm wanting to take the tank in the direction of mostly SPS, and I'm maxed out on flow without creating sandstorms.
3) I think I would feel better about overfeeding the tank if I could siphon detritus out once a week when I do a water change instead of knowing that it's accumulating in the sand.
I've pretty much made up my mind, and have researched and read a lot of info, but if any of you guys who are actually running bb have any advice for me on the transition, I would REALLY appreciate hearing it!
I have a couple specific questions:
1) Should I order a piece of starboard for the bottom? It's a standard AGA 20H. If I get starboard, should I bevel the edges? Right now, I'm leaning toward ordering some, and getting the edges beveled...
2) How long should I take to remove the sand? I'm thinking over the course of a month or so, siphoning about 1/4 out once a week when I do a water change.
3) Should I buy new LR and "cook" it, or keep my LR? Part of me wants to get new rock, so I can "start fresh" with no nuisance mushrooms (you know, the ones that are cool when you're a noob, then they start to take over the tank, and you don't have as much room as you'd like to have for "cool" stuff, and they sting corals that you like more than them...).
OK, I think that's all my questions. Like I said, anybody who has any advice or input, please don't hesitate to tell me! I know some people hate the look of bb - I really like it though - there are much more interesting things (IMO) to look at than sand!
Thanks in advance!!
Anna
Reasons for wanting to take out the sand:
1) The tank has been set up for nearly two years, and the medium sand bed (2-3 inches) is starting to look tired. I don't have any cyano, or sand issues yet, but I'm thinking it could be a matter of time before I do. I have a fair amount of nassarius snails, worms, and other sandbed creatures keeping it stirred up, but it's still not looking great.
2) I'm wanting to take the tank in the direction of mostly SPS, and I'm maxed out on flow without creating sandstorms.
3) I think I would feel better about overfeeding the tank if I could siphon detritus out once a week when I do a water change instead of knowing that it's accumulating in the sand.
I've pretty much made up my mind, and have researched and read a lot of info, but if any of you guys who are actually running bb have any advice for me on the transition, I would REALLY appreciate hearing it!
I have a couple specific questions:
1) Should I order a piece of starboard for the bottom? It's a standard AGA 20H. If I get starboard, should I bevel the edges? Right now, I'm leaning toward ordering some, and getting the edges beveled...
2) How long should I take to remove the sand? I'm thinking over the course of a month or so, siphoning about 1/4 out once a week when I do a water change.
3) Should I buy new LR and "cook" it, or keep my LR? Part of me wants to get new rock, so I can "start fresh" with no nuisance mushrooms (you know, the ones that are cool when you're a noob, then they start to take over the tank, and you don't have as much room as you'd like to have for "cool" stuff, and they sting corals that you like more than them...).
OK, I think that's all my questions. Like I said, anybody who has any advice or input, please don't hesitate to tell me! I know some people hate the look of bb - I really like it though - there are much more interesting things (IMO) to look at than sand!
Thanks in advance!!
Anna
