Bare bottom tank with sandbox?

Jasanden · 10/05/2014, 01:09 PM

I have a new biuld that I would like to be bare bottom. My dilemma is I love some of the sand sleeping wrasses( leopards and tamarins). So I'm somewhat handy with acrylic. My idea was to biuld an acrylic box 2'x2'x3" with 3 sides angled at 22 1/2 deg. The display is 84"L X 36"D X 24" T. That back side would be square against the back of the aquarium. The angled sides would hopefully deflect flow and help with containing the sand. I do realize that it will be virtually impossible to keep all the sand contained. Especially with fish burying themselves in it every night. Do you think it's possible to keep a bare bottom tank with a sandbox and keep the clean look with minimal maintenance. Maybe siphoning the excess sand out once a week? Anyone with any experience with a setup similar to this?

codyreed29 · 10/05/2014, 02:47 PM

I am doing a new build and as well want to go just barebottom. But as watchman goby and pistol pair need sand the plan is to take about a 2inch piece of glass or acrylic and go the full length of the tank but only 3 inch back and about an inch and half deep. This way I can move and corals class etc. It will be easy to maintain with a vacuum to keep it from collect dieters and what not with a good weekly cleaning I won't have to worry about it causing nitrate issues and the rdsb in my sump will stay understurbed.

This will also give the appearance that the tank has a full sand bed from the front. You will see its not from the side tthough.

10/05/2014, 01:09 PM	#1
Jasanden Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: southeast , pa Posts: 417	Bare bottom tank with sandbox? I have a new biuld that I would like to be bare bottom. My dilemma is I love some of the sand sleeping wrasses( leopards and tamarins). So I'm somewhat handy with acrylic. My idea was to biuld an acrylic box 2'x2'x3" with 3 sides angled at 22 1/2 deg. The display is 84"L X 36"D X 24" T. That back side would be square against the back of the aquarium. The angled sides would hopefully deflect flow and help with containing the sand. I do realize that it will be virtually impossible to keep all the sand contained. Especially with fish burying themselves in it every night. Do you think it's possible to keep a bare bottom tank with a sandbox and keep the clean look with minimal maintenance. Maybe siphoning the excess sand out once a week? Anyone with any experience with a setup similar to this?

10/05/2014, 02:47 PM	#2
codyreed29 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 892	I am doing a new build and as well want to go just barebottom. But as watchman goby and pistol pair need sand the plan is to take about a 2inch piece of glass or acrylic and go the full length of the tank but only 3 inch back and about an inch and half deep. This way I can move and corals class etc. It will be easy to maintain with a vacuum to keep it from collect dieters and what not with a good weekly cleaning I won't have to worry about it causing nitrate issues and the rdsb in my sump will stay understurbed. This will also give the appearance that the tank has a full sand bed from the front. You will see its not from the side tthough. __________________ 27 Rimless cube DIY lights and sump mag 5 cad lights pls 100 jeabo rw4 jeabo dp4