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Sand

Which of the following applies to you

  • I am bare bottom

    Votes: 3 21.4%

  • Sand and I vacuum the tank bottom

    Votes: 7 50.0%

  • Sand and I never vacuum the tank bottom

    Votes: 4 28.6%
  • Total voters
    14
diana a

diana a

Staff member
NJRC Member
Moderator
My first three saltwater tank had Special Grade sand. After starting the fourth one, I went bare bottom. Loved being able to clean up and poop I saw at the bottom of the tank. I started up a 40B yet again but this time with an AquaClear filter and added sand. The tank has corals, 2 turbo snails and 1 Helfrichi firefish. I forgot how much turbo snails poop :shocked: . So what is your thoughts on sand or no sand?
 
Sponge

Sponge

Sand is clearly more work. But I love it. Perhaps some day I may go bare bottom. But for now. I love the way the sand looks. I love all the creatures that inhabit it. I love the bacteria and diversity it allows. For me. Bare bottom is just to sterile. Oh I totally get why people do it. 100 percent. But I’ll take sand. The the bad the whole pack edge.
 
deepblue68

deepblue68

POTM Winner
I like sand in my tanks and with that said I have kept bare bottom tank and it is way easier to clean. iam currently running a reef with sand because I like the way it looks .
 
DEL

DEL

Vice President
Staff member
Board of Directors
NJRC Member
Moderator
I've had both. my 36, 72, 110, 14, and 50g all had sand. my current setup 50g is bare bottom. the next tank the 200g will have sand. even though I like how the sps encrusted the floor in my 50g, I think sand is more a natural look. it's all up to you based on your style and taste.
 
Cjk90978

Cjk90978

What would be opinions on adding sand after being bare bottom? I've been bare bottom for a few months but as most have stated above, I like the sand look and I admit, the rock structures definitely move around more as they are not anchored by sand as well.

1) Think this would cause me more problems then benefits?
2) How would you go about adding the sand to established tank? I'm thinking a bucket, heater and wave maker for 2-3 weeks with little water changes and then adding it SLOWLY back into display.

Maybe someone has done this and can show some guidance as to how it went/what was done?
 
Mrx7899x

Mrx7899x

I had a frag tank that was bare bottom. Then I changed it to a shallow reef and added sand to the tank while running. I just rinsed the sand with water and poured it in the water was cloudy for a little bit but that was it no problems after that.
 
diana a

diana a

Staff member
NJRC Member
Moderator
Cjk90978 said:
What would be opinions on adding sand after being bare bottom? I've been bare bottom for a few months but as most have stated above, I like the sand look and I admit, the rock structures definitely move around more as they are not anchored by sand as well.

1) Think this would cause me more problems then benefits?
2) How would you go about adding the sand to established tank? I'm thinking a bucket, heater and wave maker for 2-3 weeks with little water changes and then adding it SLOWLY back into display.

Maybe someone has done this and can show some guidance as to how it went/what was done?
Click to expand...

To add sand to an established tank: Large diameter pvc tube and it must be longer than the height of your tank. Create a funnel for the top of the pvc tube. Place end of pvc to the bottom of tank and slowly feed sand into tube funnel.
 
Sponge

Sponge

Great stuff @diana a also my understanding is that adding sand to an established tank is no big deal from a biological stance. Taking sand out of an established tank can be Real troublesome again from a biological stand point so go for it. Dinas advice on how to get it in. Smart smart smart
 
Sponge

Sponge

trio91 said:
The only reason I don't vacuum my sand is cuz i cant, theres not enough clearance for my tube.

But if I could, I would
Click to expand...
I have that exact problem on our semi softy tank. But. Very soon upgrade will be done and problem solved. Just a little excited. :p
 
Sponge

Sponge

diana a said:
Oh no...you can't just say that and not tell:cool2:
Click to expand...
Hahahaha not intended that way. We have a approx 40 gallon AIO that stuff is just a bit to big for and came across a very good deal on an approx 70 gallon AIO so decided to make the change and use the smaller one for a frag Tank instead of building one. Not that big a deal. But it does solve two things and hey. Who doesn’t need a spot for coral hahaha
 
motortrendz

motortrendz

NJRC Member
I've always had sand in my display tanks, love wrasses and some need the sand bed for sleeping. I have made the mistake of using super fine sand. Which is never good in an sps dominant tank with high flow. Its always a sand storm in the tank. I do like the larger grain sands and crushed aragnite. I do clean the sand but I dont really stir it up. It's not a deep sand bed but I feel like whatever is deep will be handled by bacteria and sand dwelling creatures(nassarius, stars and worms). And most importantly when have you seen the ocean without sand. Lol.
 
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