Went Bare Bottom, now going back.

[Yellow_donkey]

So I was fighting either dinos or Cyano, I did the blow test, the water dispersion test and really could never tell. I would clear the sand in my 6 month old tank and within 2 hours most the sand would be again fully covered with red/brown sheets as well as the tonga shelf highest in tank would be covered.

So I had the great idea to remove all the darn sand and my tank has not been cleaner. I really do like the clean tank look but wife hates the sterile pond not sitting in the living room and is not happy about it.

So back to sand I must go. I know I have read somewhere that cyano or dino can be directly linked to your sand. The original sand I placed in the tank was LFS caribsea I believe, live.

However, I am now ready and I am seeing that there are some really top notch premium sands available and was wondering if these sands like Tropic Eden, will improve my chances of not having future issues.

What I found interesting is that once I removed the sand, the breakouts on the live rock went away instantly as well.

I was also considering black sand, which I don't see by any premium suppliers, but if I went with black, I could hide a bit of the issue while I continue the fight.

What are the chances that the strain is still in my tank and will come right back, the day after I replace the sand? Bare bottom for about 60 days and zero outbreak during this time.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks you.

 

[Scorpius]

I dislike black sand. Algae issues on the sand was part of my new tank on and off for a year. I just rode it out and made sure my nutrients were under control and my flow was adequate.

 

[Yellow_donkey]

I dislike black sand. Algae issues on the sand was part of my new tank on and off for a year. I just rode it out and made sure my nutrients were under control and my flow was adequate.

I understand the new tank issue, but for a year! Arg.

I cant say I have seen black sand in person. the tank of the month has black sand and it looks nice, for November. Darnit, I hate for it come back.

 

[reef thief]

Use black sand. I went black and never went back.

 

[scar79]

I like the idea of no sandbed, but my fiancee, like your wife, doesn't like it. And I don't disagree with the aesthetics. I love a clean white sandbed, just sometimes it can be a bit of work.

Tagging along to see what others say about the "premium" sand offerings.

 

[Yellow_donkey]

I like the idea of no sandbed, but my fiancee, like your wife, doesn't like it. And I don't disagree with the aesthetics. I love a clean white sandbed, just sometimes it can be a bit of work.

Tagging along to see what others say about the "premium" sand offerings.

Yup, I hear ya. I have to keep her happy with it before we both end up on the curb.

 

[Wazzel]

Leave the sand out. Put some non-encrusting corals on the bottom. Once things grow out a little people will hardly notice you are bare bottom.

 

[Yellow_donkey]

Use black sand. I went black and never went back.

What brand did you use, anything specific that you like about your brand, or was it just the LFS offering?

 

[Yellow_donkey]

Leave the sand out. Put some non-encrusting corals on the bottom. Once things grow out a little people will hardly notice you are bare bottom.

Yes, I have done just that. I have two sunset monties, some mystic monti and a couple of other fast growers.

My growth just seems to be so slow, although all parameters are spot on and I check just about everything out there each week as well as dose everything, all non-zoes are just super slow growers (zoes are growing ok). Still new tank issue I believe, but at the 6 month mark I would have thought I wold have gotten to the kick-off point. (Corraline is just now starting too)

Plus with all family coming for the holidays I have been instructed to correct the problem, so my slow growers are not convincing her that it will fill in quite enough if at all.

 

[Silly clownfish]

I would get a dry sand that you like the look of and the particle size you want and rinse very well before adding a small amount (cup or 2) at a time for a thin layer (1" or less). I think lack of rinsing means that there could be organics that you don't want mixed in.

Then vacuum with each water change. I only vacuum part of the tank at a time because the substate is where your pods and such live. Since I have a mandarin, the pods are more important than keeping the tank pristine.

I also dislike the look of a bare bottom tank. Fish poop collects on the bottom no matter what and substrate camouflages it til I remove it! Plus I tend to get both green and purple coraline algaes on my glass, and needing to scrape the bottom as often as I scrape the sides sounds like a pain.

 

[DamonG]

Tough call.. But ultimately there had to be a consensus.. I have run all the methods you mentioned, and am currently running bare bottom.. The beauty comes in flow(you can run tons more, so things stay in suspension, and actually go to the overflow versus settling in the system, but you have to have enough flow for that), the beauty of corraline on the bottom(I'm just beginning to get heavy growth, and it's starting to look awesome!), which, once it grows in, the reflection from the bottom is awesome, and like you said, it eliminates a source for gunk collection..

However, I have run black sand, and it does indeed look cool and most of the time, unless it's massively out of control, the nuisance algea, especially diatom. I ran the cariibsea black.. But after a while,I got tired of the all black, and mixed in some white. After that,I just let the sand go, and haven't looked back. It was an adjustment, but, I will never have sand in a display again(i have a pretty big fuge system, so no lack of pods and life) honestly..

But above and beyond, and it depends on your household, but I respect my ladies opinion, however, when it comes down to it, who is going to do the work? It has to be a give and take, just like everything else.. Now, if she is willing to deal with all the expense and time, that might be required to achieve the same results(and I had to have this firm discussion about something different with my lady), and she's willing to help(over the long haul), then your more than willing..

But it's hard finding something that works well, and eliminates frustration with these systems, only to have someone "tell" you they don't like it, and not do any of the work to help correct it.. So you have to balance that.. And in some ways, if your the expert, and she is willing, you might just have to "show"her.. Sometimes you have to do that.. And yes, you might here it for a little bit, but if need be, stick to your guns if that's what is working best for the system.. And in time, she will see that your decisions were sound..

And lol, I hate to say it, but there's no pleasing anyone(note,I didn't say a woman) 100% so, pick and choose your battles..

But best of luck my friend..

From note 5.. rip note 7

 

[FirstContact]

Have you thought about putting down a thin layer just for aesthetics and not a 1 to 2 inch bed?

That might be a compromise.

 

[bmullikin1]

just keep in mind some black sands are ferrous, and will stick to powerhead magnets in the tank, as well as magnetic glass cleaners etc.

 

[smatter]

I have no say in my wife's hobbies, she has no say in what goes in my tanks.

 

[Yellow_donkey]

I would get a dry sand that you like the look of and the particle size you want and rinse very well before adding a small amount (cup or 2) at a time for a thin layer (1" or less). I think lack of rinsing means that there could be organics that you don't want mixed in.

Then vacuum with each water change. I only vacuum part of the tank at a time because the substate is where your pods and such live. Since I have a mandarin, the pods are more important than keeping the tank pristine.

I also dislike the look of a bare bottom tank. Fish poop collects on the bottom no matter what and substrate camouflages it til I remove it! Plus I tend to get both green and purple coraline algaes on my glass, and needing to scrape the bottom as often as I scrape the sides sounds like a pain.

Yes, I have a Mr. Mandarin as well. I also had a fluke break out and still have my super overpowered UV going on my return, with my cheato in a reactor in sump = no pods, although I have a tons of amphopods (spelling) on the rocks. He quickly realized the pods were is short supply and now swims to the top for frozen just like everyone else. He may make it there upside down or sideways (depending on how he was positioned on the rock he swam from, but he gets there all the same)

Tough call.. But ultimately there had to be a consensus.. I have run all the methods you mentioned, and am currently running bare bottom.. The beauty comes in flow(you can run tons more, so things stay in suspension, and actually go to the overflow versus settling in the system, but you have to have enough flow for that), the beauty of corraline on the bottom(I'm just beginning to get heavy growth, and it's starting to look awesome!), which, once it grows in, the reflection from the bottom is awesome, and like you said, it eliminates a source for gunk collection..

However, I have run black sand, and it does indeed look cool and most of the time, unless it's massively out of control, the nuisance algea, especially diatom. I ran the cariibsea black.. But after a while,I got tired of the all black, and mixed in some white. After that,I just let the sand go, and haven't looked back. It was an adjustment, but, I will never have sand in a display again(i have a pretty big fuge system, so no lack of pods and life) honestly..

But above and beyond, and it depends on your household, but I respect my ladies opinion, however, when it comes down to it, who is going to do the work? It has to be a give and take, just like everything else.. Now, if she is willing to deal with all the expense and time, that might be required to achieve the same results(and I had to have this firm discussion about something different with my lady), and she's willing to help(over the long haul), then your more than willing..

But it's hard finding something that works well, and eliminates frustration with these systems, only to have someone "tell" you they don't like it, and not do any of the work to help correct it.. So you have to balance that.. And in some ways, if your the expert, and she is willing, you might just have to "show"her.. Sometimes you have to do that.. And yes, you might here it for a little bit, but if need be, stick to your guns if that's what is working best for the system.. And in time, she will see that your decisions were sound..

And lol, I hate to say it, but there's no pleasing anyone(note,I didn't say a woman) 100% so, pick and choose your battles..

But best of luck my friend..

From note 5.. rip note 7

Yes, I had thought about the thin layer and will be trying that first. I can always add more. I am worried about the flow as I did just ad an SPS section, at the turbulence corner and hope to keep flow high.

Money spent = me having zero say in anything, I am affraid

Have you thought about putting down a thin layer just for aesthetics and not a 1 to 2 inch bed?

That might be a compromise.

Yup, sounds like a plan, will do this first.

Is that your tank in your avatar? Do you have a bigger picture?

just keep in mind some black sands are ferrous, and will stick to powerhead magnets in the tank, as well as magnetic glass cleaners etc.

I and read this, could go bad, will test out with neo mags before I put in tank.

I have no say in my wife's hobbies, she has no say in what goes in my tanks.

I feel like I should cover my screen and cower as I read this...

haha.

 

[Psyops]

This might sound stupid but is it a possibility to add fighting conches to your sandbeds? I have about 7 in my 180 and they do a great job of keeping my sand clean. Just a suggestion.

Thoughts?
Alex

 

[Bob Nell]

It is not the lack of sand that is inhibiting growth. I have been bb for 8 years during which a monti has grown from a 1/2 inch frag to dinner plate size.