What is your take on a Rubble Bottom tank?

ultraxr · 11/23/2006, 01:49 PM

My 120 AGA just experienced a Dinoflagellates outbreak. I set up a fresh 55 gal tank i had laying around for my fishes and corals. The live rock is sitting in the 120 with a salinity of 1.035+ (thats the highest my salinity test goes). I will be dipping and cleaning the LR and setting them aside to cook for the next few months. In the meantime, I'm trying to decided and research on the different "bottom tanks". Whether it be bare, sand, or rubble. I've been reading plenty of Bare vs. Sand bottom tanks. Not so much on Rubble bottoms.

RC member Drowzee has a rubble bottom in his 120. Looks absolutely amazing. Other than him, I haven't seen or read about anyone else. His link is:

Drowzee's Rubble Bottom 120 tank

I know i would have to have some spray bars or powerheads set up on the bottom in the rubble to help prevent build up there. I like the concept of Bare Bottoms, but i dont want to make my tank a SPS dominate/only tank. With the High flow required in bare bottoms that kind of hurts me on wanting to have LPS' too. I want my tank to be a "mixed reef" tank.

All opinions, advice, etc ... are more than welcomed and super appreciated!

thanks guys,
Ultraxr

ultraxr · 11/24/2006, 12:08 PM

bump

xtrstangx · 11/24/2006, 12:48 PM

I believe that any tank, regardless of substrate (or lack thereof), can be run succesfully with good husbandry.

I'd say follow drowzee's tank and keep everything close to the same idea, and it should turn out nice.

mr pink floyd · 11/24/2006, 01:54 PM

i think it gives a good 3D effect, shows more depth, and shadow effectrs

drummereef · 11/24/2006, 02:03 PM

Looks like a really cool idea. I'm assuming it would take intense flow to keep it clean though.

Gluestick · 11/24/2006, 03:55 PM

I would highly suggest you read Aquarium Fish Magazine's article (jan 07) on deep sand bed problems. A rubble substrate is the most natural way to replicate a real coral reef. I think it's a great idea, and if you so choose to go this route, I would be very interested in hearing about your experiences.

Dr.FuManchu · 11/24/2006, 09:18 PM

I chose a cut slab, 3/4" thick of unfinished limestone for 10 gal nano bottom. I love the idea of rubble bottom and am trying to find a place to order Fla. Limestone tile from. I was down in the keys this summer and noticed that they use this fossilized coral for everything from the outside of homes to bars and floor tiles. My next tank will be with this "Base Rock" bottom.

Landolakes · 11/24/2006, 09:31 PM

I have one in my eel tank and love it. I just blast it with the powerhead every once in a while to get the detrius into the filter and use the rubble for frags when I need it.

ultraxr · 11/25/2006, 02:36 PM

Thanks guys for dropping your opinions down. I have been doing some reading and that's what lead me to this approach. I will definitely keep you guys all up to date with my progress. thanks a bunch!

ultraxr · 11/25/2006, 02:47 PM

For a clean up crew... What would you guys suggest? I have always been a "Snails Only - No crabs" kind of guy. The sense of safety with snails. But with a rubble bottom, I'm thinking I may have to get over that and get some crabs.

Again, what would you guys suggest?

gman0526 · 11/25/2006, 06:25 PM

Read this thread great discussion on what to do or not to do.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...ghlight=rubble

Dr.FuManchu · 11/25/2006, 09:04 PM

For a clean up crew a good mix of Cerith, Astreas and Nassarius. Nassarius eat Astrea Poop. So try astreas to Nassarius ratio of 2/1.

11/23/2006, 01:49 PM	#1
ultraxr Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Va Bch, VA Posts: 321	What is your take on a Rubble Bottom tank? My 120 AGA just experienced a Dinoflagellates outbreak. I set up a fresh 55 gal tank i had laying around for my fishes and corals. The live rock is sitting in the 120 with a salinity of 1.035+ (thats the highest my salinity test goes). I will be dipping and cleaning the LR and setting them aside to cook for the next few months. In the meantime, I'm trying to decided and research on the different "bottom tanks". Whether it be bare, sand, or rubble. I've been reading plenty of Bare vs. Sand bottom tanks. Not so much on Rubble bottoms. RC member Drowzee has a rubble bottom in his 120. Looks absolutely amazing. Other than him, I haven't seen or read about anyone else. His link is: Drowzee's Rubble Bottom 120 tank I know i would have to have some spray bars or powerheads set up on the bottom in the rubble to help prevent build up there. I like the concept of Bare Bottoms, but i dont want to make my tank a SPS dominate/only tank. With the High flow required in bare bottoms that kind of hurts me on wanting to have LPS' too. I want my tank to be a "mixed reef" tank. All opinions, advice, etc ... are more than welcomed and super appreciated! thanks guys, Ultraxr

11/24/2006, 12:08 PM	#2
ultraxr Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Va Bch, VA Posts: 321	bump __________________ 120 gal- Softies & some LPS

11/24/2006, 02:03 PM	#5
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	Looks like a really cool idea. I'm assuming it would take intense flow to keep it clean though. __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

11/24/2006, 03:55 PM	#6
Gluestick Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Joliet, IL Posts: 1,710	I would highly suggest you read Aquarium Fish Magazine's article (jan 07) on deep sand bed problems. A rubble substrate is the most natural way to replicate a real coral reef. I think it's a great idea, and if you so choose to go this route, I would be very interested in hearing about your experiences. __________________ Valerie R. Burns Founder/Vice President Joliet Area Reef Club Current Tank Info: 90 gal SPS dominated, ASM-G2 skimmer, 2x250w 20k SE Radium bulbs under Lumenarc Mini Reflectors

11/25/2006, 02:36 PM	#9
ultraxr Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Va Bch, VA Posts: 321	Thanks guys for dropping your opinions down. I have been doing some reading and that's what lead me to this approach. I will definitely keep you guys all up to date with my progress. thanks a bunch! __________________ 120 gal- Softies & some LPS

11/24/2006, 12:48 PM	#3
xtrstangx Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Shawnee, Kansas Posts: 4,568	I believe that any tank, regardless of substrate (or lack thereof), can be run succesfully with good husbandry. I'd say follow drowzee's tank and keep everything close to the same idea, and it should turn out nice.

11/24/2006, 01:54 PM	#4
mr pink floyd Moved On Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: west hartford, CT Posts: 3,480	i think it gives a good 3D effect, shows more depth, and shadow effectrs

11/24/2006, 09:18 PM	#7
Dr.FuManchu Moved On Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 257	I chose a cut slab, 3/4" thick of unfinished limestone for 10 gal nano bottom. I love the idea of rubble bottom and am trying to find a place to order Fla. Limestone tile from. I was down in the keys this summer and noticed that they use this fossilized coral for everything from the outside of homes to bars and floor tiles. My next tank will be with this "Base Rock" bottom.

11/24/2006, 09:31 PM	#8
Landolakes Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rochester Posts: 1,200	I have one in my eel tank and love it. I just blast it with the powerhead every once in a while to get the detrius into the filter and use the rubble for frags when I need it.

11/25/2006, 02:47 PM	#10
ultraxr Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Va Bch, VA Posts: 321	For a clean up crew... What would you guys suggest? I have always been a "Snails Only - No crabs" kind of guy. The sense of safety with snails. But with a rubble bottom, I'm thinking I may have to get over that and get some crabs. Again, what would you guys suggest? __________________ 120 gal- Softies & some LPS

11/25/2006, 06:25 PM	#11
gman0526 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 1,278	Read this thread great discussion on what to do or not to do. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...ghlight=rubble __________________ "If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts." A.E. Current Tank Info: 75 G BB tank

11/25/2006, 09:04 PM	#12
Dr.FuManchu Moved On Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 257	For a clean up crew a good mix of Cerith, Astreas and Nassarius. Nassarius eat Astrea Poop. So try astreas to Nassarius ratio of 2/1.