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05/06/2010, 04:23 AM
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#1 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Seattle
Posts: 127
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To sand or not to sand?
So, I am new to this and looking to setup my first system. Of the local specialist stores I went to, there was one where they advise no sand in the bottom. I am curious as to what people think on this topic. I can "see" that the majority use sand, and I've read the pro's and con's (online) to some degree. Just curious as to what the experienced folk think... =)
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50 gallon w/20 gallon sump under construction ~Mikilios~ Current Tank Info: 50 g breeder/20 g sump+refugium Bubble Magus NAC6, 45lbs live rock, 1-1.5" sand bed |
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05/06/2010, 07:07 AM
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#2 |
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Registered Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,804
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I've always used about a half inch of sand because I like the way it looks. Some fish need sand to hide in at night, and some snails like it too.
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On a break |
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05/06/2010, 07:09 AM
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#3 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 552
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definitely sand, personally i think it looks weird without also you then can get a sand cleanup crew to keep it clean which adds another interesting element to your tank.
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05/06/2010, 07:21 AM
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#4 |
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Premium Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Corvallis, OR
Posts: 3,802
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Personal preference. I prefer the sandy look however, I run a bare bottom because I am able to control the parameters much more effectively.
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05/06/2010, 07:46 AM
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#5 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Winston Salem NC
Posts: 370
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i like the sand, so do my fish and CUC, but i dont run more than a inch, i read somewhere that more than a inch and less than 5 inches is the problem area
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Greensboro NC area reef club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef, 40 gallon sump, mag 9.5 return, quiet one 6000 closed loop, reef octo NWB-150 2010 model, diy kalkwasser reactor and ATO, 3 250 watt MH 14k |
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05/06/2010, 07:47 AM
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#6 |
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Premium Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Corvallis, OR
Posts: 3,802
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Additionally, I can provide a great deal more flow in the tank without sand.
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05/06/2010, 08:41 AM
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#7 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,705
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Sand is pretty.
Snails like it, some need it. Some fish require it. Sand is pretty.
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Steve Current Tank Info: 58 Oceanic/20g Sump/250w XM 20k/2x39w T5 True Actinic 03/2010 Reef Octopus NW Cone Skimmer |
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05/06/2010, 08:44 AM
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#8 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: South Florida
Posts: 3,799
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Sand also greatly increases the surface area to be colonized by bacteria.
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In all that I endure, of one thing I am sure. Knowledge and reason, change like the season. A jester's promenade. - Kerry Livgren Current Tank Info: 180 gal reef tank with dual attached refugiums 20 long and 10 gallon. Plus 55 gallon True Percula breeding tank. |
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| live sand, sand, substrate |
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