Bare bottom

Discussion in 'General Reef Discussion' started by ReefingInCabot, Feb 15, 2018.

  1. ReefingInCabot

    ReefingInCabot Plankton

    I am really leaning to a bare bottom, I would like to get GSP established on the bottom.

    I have 3/4" acrylic and I'm really thinking about lifting the rock off the bottom.

    Does anyone have pro or cons with bare bottoms.
     
  2. Botheboss

    Botheboss Director-At Large

    Some wrasse and gobies need sand.
     
  3. Jake atkinson

    Jake atkinson Wrasse

    And the debate begins..lol..
    I entertain the same question also with my last set up. I do really like the sand look so that's why I went with a shallow sand bed. It does help reflect some light back up underneath sps colonies in theory .. How much?, not sure. ..enough to matter, your guess is as good as mine. I haven't noticed a different one way or another. But aside from looks I can see how having no sand makes it so much easier to detritus from building up within the sand and exporting it much easier with adequate flow. Many of beautiful tanks have employed both. I am sure no matter which option you decide to go with it will have the potential to be and amazing system . I am interested to hear others input on this. Best of luck to you.
     
  4. BrandonW

    BrandonW Plankton

    I am of the same mindset as Jake. I have sand in both my main tank and the wife's puffer cube, but bare bottom in my 20 long frag tank.
     
  5. ReefingInCabot

    ReefingInCabot Plankton

    I'm debating it mainly to keep the system cleaner. I know I won' be able to have some species of fish but over all I see it just being easier to prevent detritus build up over time.
     
  6. huntindoc

    huntindoc RRMAS BOD Membership Director Staff Member

    Either way can work. I like the look of sand as it looks more like a real reef. I also don't think I could deal with looking at coralline algae growing on the bottom.

    I would advise against GSP on the bottom as it will be hard to control it. I like it on an isolated rock where I can keep it from spreading. I'll have to take a picture of a tank here in Conway of a tank where GSP got away from them. It's epic!:D
     
    ReefingInCabot likes this.
  7. ReefingInCabot

    ReefingInCabot Plankton

    If I go with sand I may still lift the rock off the sand bed. Only reason I like sand is some of the gobies are fun fish to watch.
     
    huntindoc likes this.
  8. Kim

    Kim Secretary Staff Member

    Hiya,

    If you want to do gobies, you'll want to set the rock directly on the grass or put it on egg crate. When the gobies dig they will adjust your rock.
     
  9. ReefingInCabot

    ReefingInCabot Plankton

    20180226_193102.jpg 20180226_193059.jpg 20180226_193115.jpg
    I cant the the pictures at the right angle, i built and acrylic stand, but im thinking about setting the rock flat to the glass.

    I cut the bottom flat and trued it up completly flat with a file. It sets solid to the glass
     
    Kim likes this.
  10. ReefingInCabot

    ReefingInCabot Plankton

    I also though about going bare with the acrylic stand to keep any build up under the rock.
     
  11. huntindoc

    huntindoc RRMAS BOD Membership Director Staff Member

    Check out this video of a "floating" aquascape!

     
    mhattenhauer and ReefingInCabot like this.
  12. ReefingInCabot

    ReefingInCabot Plankton

    That is close to the way I want to build mine. Im not looking for a large lift but enough that i can keep water flow under it.
     

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