Time to abandon BB?

[carb850]

I have a bare bottom setup that is now about 2 months old. I used 1/2" HDPE cut to size. Below are current pictures from the bottom.

Right side

Left Side.



I love the HDPE bottom because I see everything collecting on the bottom. I can siphon it out and what I cannot reach I can easily blow with a small powerhead. However, I'm starting to be concerned about this buildup under the tank that it could cuase problems later on. I fit it pretty well but it just seems to be slightly raised around the edges. It wants to float anyhow, the only thing holding it down is rock and since the rock is not on the edges I believe that is what is causing the slight lifting. I don't want to silicon it down or anything.

No offense to others, but I don't like the look of a glass bottom. Even the white plastic isn't as nice as sand but it is something I can live with for the benefits. The glass bottom is not. Now, after years and the glass bottom gets encrusted with coraline but that is longer than I'm willing to wait.

So the question, will the debris collecting under the HDPE be a problem? If so, I might be going with a shallow sand bed. BTW, I think a sandbed is the nicest looking setup, I just wanted to avoid sand storms and detritus trap that sandbeds can create.

Any thoughts?


PS. Another issue I have is light coming through the bottom from the reverse light cycle I have over my fuge. This causes the tank to be much more lit than I want. If I were to stay with the BB, I would need to cover the bottom in something and that in intself isn't easy with the tank setup.

 

[aquariumclown]

You can use shallow layer of rough sand instead of fine sand that blows around. Also pretty easy to clean.

 

[carb850]

If I go with a shallow sand bed, I'm will likely use the "Seaflor Special Grade Reef Sand". I have dual 6101's in a 120G and hope to add a nano wavebox sometime down the road.

 

[kingsland]

I use the Seaflor Special Grade and really like it. It is easy to siphon and does not blow around too much.

 

[danny zubot]

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So the question, will the debris collecting under the HDPE be a problem? If so, I might be going with a shallow sand bed. BTW, I think a sandbed is the nicest looking setup, I just wanted to avoid sand storms and detritus trap that sandbeds can create.

I would say that this is no different than debris being trapped under a rock. It would create an anerobic area, which isn't bad if left alone. Is there any water flow under the HDPE at all?

 

[carb850]

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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15239373#post15239373 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by danny zubot
I would say that this is no different than debris being trapped under a rock. It would create an anerobic area, which isn't bad if left alone. Is there any water flow under the HDPE at all?

I doubt much at all. Honestly I was surprised to see the debris collecting under it to begin with. Apparently there is a ever so small gap around the edges. So if stuff is getting in I imagine a little water is passing through too, but just a fraction.

 

[James77]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15238982#post15238982 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by carb850
If I go with a shallow sand bed, I'm will likely use the "Seaflor Special Grade Reef Sand". I have dual 6101's in a 120G and hope to add a nano wavebox sometime down the road.

I use the same in my 120 with Tunze 6105s, and the sand stays put.

 

[danny zubot]

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I doubt much at all. Honestly I was surprised to see the debris collecting under it to begin with. Apparently there is a ever so small gap around the edges. So if stuff is getting in I imagine a little water is passing through too, but just a fraction.

I would say don't worry about it. When you take it out you'll likely be doing a large water change right? That should stop any anerobic bacteria from fouling up your NO3 cycle.

 

[carb850]

Oh, I'm not worried about removing it now. I think it is such a small amount that it won't be an issue. I'm wondering if it will be come an issue if I never change out the HDPE bottom.

 

[danny zubot]

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Hmm, it's hard to tell from your pics exactly how much is under there. I still don't think it would be a problem if left alone. I mean, I've left crude in the bottom of my 30 gallon sump for months without it crashing my tank. If you have less than say 1/4 cup full then I wouldn't worry. IMO.

 

[carb850]

I'd say I'm a good bit under 1/4 cup but the tank has only been up for 2 months. Now, if the voids are full then that might be all, but then again if not it could still add up to more with time.

 

[MeuserReef]

It will only get worse, trust me. I had the same trouble when I used HDPE on my previous tank. My current setup is still BB, however I have a bare glass bottom. MUCH better IMO.

If your up to the effort, I'd say go ahead and yank the HDPE. Again, thats just my opinion, but I did have a never-ending NO3 battle with my last tank. Was it because of the void under the HDPE, perhaps.

 

[Logzor]

Mine does the same thing. I would not worry about it!

I even had a good bit of coraline algae under there from the sump lights.

Anyways, how will covering this with a shallow sandbed change anything???

If anything it is positive because it is creating an anaerobic zone just as a deep sand bed would. A shallow sand bed will just be another detritus trap.

No one has proof this is a major problem so I personally would not go to all the work to remove just based on peoples opinions (nor do I have proof that I am right so I say it is your judgment call).

 

[Alaskan Reefer]

I have a similar situation under mine after six months and don't really care. Tank is thriving with the benefits of BB and heavy duty flow.

 

[crvz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15240604#post15240604 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by carb850
Oh, I'm not worried about removing it now. I think it is such a small amount that it won't be an issue. I'm wondering if it will be come an issue if I never change out the HDPE bottom.

Unlikely to become a problem, and the only kind of problem you're likely to notice is some algae growth along the same of the board and glass. I've had build up on previous tank and that was the only thing I ever noticed.