Sand or Bare Bottom for new tank ...

Hey guys,

I'm building a new tank in the next couple months, and I wanted to go bare bottom.

I'm trying to find some articles comparing the pros and cons, but am having trouble. Everything I've found so far is forum topics, usually just people bashing one or the other because it isn't what they keep.

If you can link me some good info on BB tanks, the do's and don'ts, the pros and cons ... or just the general chemistry ... that would be great.

Thanks

 

Check Amazon.com for books on salt tanks. Lots of info on pros & cons of BB tanks. Research will help. If you want fish only BB with excellent filtration will work. Sand starts off, if "live sand", with microorganisms that will get into any sand eventually. These microbes will help with the nitrogen cycle, but filtration with bio-balls or some medium on which they can attach and grow will do the same thing once established.

 

Cant link you to anything Lojack

Can say I ran a BB tank 15 years ago and at the time the thing that convinced me to do it was the ability to be able to syphon debris from base of tank, through a filter sock and then pour water back into the tank - I did this once per week and also did a 5% water change weekly which meant I had 2 chances to give the base of the tank a thorough cleaning

once coralline started forming on the base it looked pretty good
and another tip is to pain the base of the aquarium with a white or cream paint so it doesnt look to bad when you start out

cons - 1 specific negative I experienced was that there where Wrasse species I liked but could not keep them in that set up

Steve

 

i agree with Mr. Wright. the biggest limitation would be the animals you can't keep without sand. I really like my diamond goby and wouldn't be able to keep him.

 

bare bottom is really for experts. u can get away with a lot more with sand. also, many animals need or want sand.