Bare bottom vs sand

zak.payne · 12/18/2015, 10:45 AM

This might be a dumb question, so bare with me.

The more I look at bare bottom tanks, the more I am starting to like the idea. I like that I don't have to worry about unsightly algae growth or sand moving and creating bare spots due to powerheads. However, my question is do I lose beneficial bacteria without sand? I know that populations grow on rock and sand. Knowing this will definitely help my decision, however even if I don't like it, adding sand is easy!

ClownsRCoo · 12/18/2015, 10:54 AM

Obviously you are going to lose out on some bacteria. If you don't have the sand there for it to populate on then you will never have that amount of bacteria present in your system.

Psychomantix · 12/18/2015, 11:01 AM

If you have deep sand bed, you can create regions where anaerobic bacteria can grow unlike in BB or SSB tanks, as these bacteria can't grow on rocks. Are these bacteria necessary for a successful reef tank? NO. DSB, SSB, BB tanks can all be successful. The consensus seems to be go with what LOOKS best to you.

Maxxingout · 12/18/2015, 12:06 PM

Also keep in mind that if by chance you wanted specific wrasses, you'd need a sand bed.

C.Eymann · 12/18/2015, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psychomantix

If you have deep sand bed, you can create regions where anaerobic bacteria can grow unlike in BB or SSB tanks, as these bacteria can't grow on rocks. Are these bacteria necessary for a successful reef tank? NO. DSB, SSB, BB tanks can all be successful. The consensus seems to be go with what LOOKS best to you.

Actually with good porous real live rock, There is quite a bit of hypoxic area deep in the rocks structure where de-nitrification is going to occur. Hence why people are using matrix/ siporax
Deep sand beds just provide more of this hypoxic zone.

MeghanisradxD · 12/18/2015, 12:51 PM

I run a bare bottom tank and have one of the marinepure blocks in the sump. Leaves tons of surface area for bacteria to grow to make up for minimal live rock and lack of sand.

toothybugs · 12/18/2015, 01:45 PM

My 75 runs BB and is hooked up to a 40B display fuge with a reasonably deep-ish sand bed (around 3"). If I run in to a problem, I have the same options as a remote DSB. And it's prettier.

powder blue · 12/20/2015, 01:20 PM

Barebottom+Siporax

Brieninsac · 12/20/2015, 05:14 PM

We see this same thread every few days, why don't people use the search feature. Furthermore its strictly a personal preference too.

cloak · 12/20/2015, 05:23 PM

I've mucked them all up...

KISS...

12/18/2015, 10:45 AM	#1
zak.payne Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 142	Bare bottom vs sand This might be a dumb question, so bare with me. The more I look at bare bottom tanks, the more I am starting to like the idea. I like that I don't have to worry about unsightly algae growth or sand moving and creating bare spots due to powerheads. However, my question is do I lose beneficial bacteria without sand? I know that populations grow on rock and sand. Knowing this will definitely help my decision, however even if I don't like it, adding sand is easy!

12/18/2015, 10:54 AM	#2
ClownsRCoo Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 813	Obviously you are going to lose out on some bacteria. If you don't have the sand there for it to populate on then you will never have that amount of bacteria present in your system. __________________ PlanetAquariums 171g (60x30x22) - RoyalExclusiv Dreambox - Bubble King Double Cone 200 Total system volume - 225g

12/20/2015, 05:14 PM	#9
Brieninsac Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 782	Bare bottom vs sand We see this same thread every few days, why don't people use the search feature. Furthermore its strictly a personal preference too. __________________ Red Sea Reefer 350 (73gal/18gal sump) / Kessil a360WE Lights

12/18/2015, 11:01 AM	#3
Psychomantix Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Canada Posts: 120	If you have deep sand bed, you can create regions where anaerobic bacteria can grow unlike in BB or SSB tanks, as these bacteria can't grow on rocks. Are these bacteria necessary for a successful reef tank? NO. DSB, SSB, BB tanks can all be successful. The consensus seems to be go with what LOOKS best to you.

12/18/2015, 12:06 PM	#4
Maxxingout Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Mentor Oh. Posts: 260	Also keep in mind that if by chance you wanted specific wrasses, you'd need a sand bed.

12/18/2015, 12:51 PM	#6
MeghanisradxD Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Manassas, VA Posts: 183	I run a bare bottom tank and have one of the marinepure blocks in the sump. Leaves tons of surface area for bacteria to grow to make up for minimal live rock and lack of sand.

12/18/2015, 01:45 PM	#7
toothybugs In Memoriam Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: The smallest county in Illinois Posts: 1,986	My 75 runs BB and is hooked up to a 40B display fuge with a reasonably deep-ish sand bed (around 3"). If I run in to a problem, I have the same options as a remote DSB. And it's prettier.

12/20/2015, 01:20 PM	#8
powder blue Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 22	Barebottom+Siporax

12/20/2015, 05:23 PM	#10
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	I've mucked them all up... KISS...