im going BB

so my sand has reach its nutrient capacity, i can tell buy algae on the sand alone. so while i have to mess with my sand anyway ive decided to go barebottom. I did so research and it looks like a good idea. while i won't have the sand as a sponge anymore and i will have to siphon out detritus weekly, i think its best for the tanks health. besides i need something to keep me busy. for glass protection im going to use white polyboard. so it will look like i have sand at first glance. i got the polyboard at Plastic, White Cutting Boards - Cutting Boards - Kitchen Supplies - Smallwares i bought two 18x24 boards. i have already siphoned out all the sand it was disgusting i can't believe how dark the water was. but i will try to post a pick of the tank after im finished. anybody else doing the BB thing here.

 

That hasnt been done for many yrs. The sand is very benefical, so I hope you have another from of creating the bacteria that helps filter and buffer your water. Keep us posted. Luna

 

I'm going BB on my new tank, but still going to have a DSB Bed in my basement sump. Most of the people I know go BB seem to end up with some kind of remote sandbed. Are thinking of not having even a remote sandbed?

 

i still have a refugium and a calc reactor. plus my live rock, this is more a experiment, its not like i cant add sand later lol.

 

my fuge has a DSB in it, i leaving that because the mangroves will use the most of the waste

 

Having ran many true Berlin style systems You have to have lots and I mean lots of rock and a hell of a skimmer. I was using ETSS rated for system several times larger then the systems I used them on. LOL Oh always back to the future.. The Berlins have their weak links aswell just like all the others . Best find a good balance of them all and apply it..

If you do go Berlin I'd paint the underside of the tank's bottom glass with a white paint.

 

i thought about that but i have a brace throw the middle of it so i couldn't paint that part, im going with white polyboard(cutting board) on the bottom.

yea i know this is a old method, you know trends move in cycles.

 

Ok guys im raising the stakes even farther im going to cook my rock in pieces, so if all goes well my system will be like new. I realize im really going to have to watch my parameters though this whole thing. But no risk no reward.

 

You find out the down side of the star board just laying in the bottom ..

 

whats the downside? the only thing i heard is that detritus might build up in the cracks between it and the tank.