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Any member running a bare bottom tank?
- Thread starter Armando
- Start date
And since I am getting a powerful and $$$ Tunze, I'd hate to have it turned down to the lowest setting to avoid blasting the sand.
Fingolfin
Humble Christian
I've had Tunze6100 in my 200 gal for about 3 years. At the beginning, the sand was blown all over the place upon setting up the Tunze. After a while, sand was settled at some specific spots then no more sand storm. Indeed, there are some bare patches at the bottom of the tank, as long as you can live with it.
BTW, the Tunze propeller cover, over time, gets calcified then turned brittle. It seems to me that the plastic housing of Tunze is falling apart. For a $360+ powerhead, you would've expected better longevity.
BTW, the Tunze propeller cover, over time, gets calcified then turned brittle. It seems to me that the plastic housing of Tunze is falling apart. For a $360+ powerhead, you would've expected better longevity.
Lam
aka Auberon
I think Syris is the only one I've heard that is running BB. Personally I can't tolerate it aesthetically speaking. I can't see that much harm in a 1-2" bed of sand. That's what I have. Unfortunately, the cool critters that I've seen in other people's DSB don't exist in mine.
How deep are your current sandbeds?
How deep are your current sandbeds?
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jango
Non-member
Alright it's been about two hour's and I have changed my mind again...
Armando if you want to make yourself flip flop some more check out this site and go into the think tank http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/
Armando if you want to make yourself flip flop some more check out this site and go into the think tank http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/
I'm in the process of converting over to bare bottom. I've pulled out all the sand in my tank and sump refugium, and I've jumped on the 'cooking' live rock band wagon as well.
The amount of waste material that has accumulated in the tank and sump after only a month is an eye opener. I cannot imagine the biological processes in a 50-gallon tank could keeping up with that for very long.
By going bare bottom, I'm hoping to make the waste products easier to remove, and to avoid sand shifting/agitation issues caused by my closed loop.
The amount of waste material that has accumulated in the tank and sump after only a month is an eye opener. I cannot imagine the biological processes in a 50-gallon tank could keeping up with that for very long.
By going bare bottom, I'm hoping to make the waste products easier to remove, and to avoid sand shifting/agitation issues caused by my closed loop.
I 've got a 20 gallon Tank ... bottom is covered with Live Rock but no sand except for a 2" x 2" corner for some effect (although not much of one). I have a ~ 5" Sand bed in my 20 gallon Refug.
My experience is you need to go >4" or none at all... or 0.5 inch. When I ever had a 2" or 3" inches ... I think it contributed to an increase in Nitrates.
My experience is you need to go >4" or none at all... or 0.5 inch. When I ever had a 2" or 3" inches ... I think it contributed to an increase in Nitrates.
super cook
Non-member
Im setting up a 75 bare bottom with a DSB in line so when it needs pulling I can do that they seem to last about 3years and take about 6 months to mature so I could start a new one and then pull the older one off line with out inturpting the whole set up planning on useing encrusting gorgonia and GSP mush rooms and zoo to cover bottom
Matt L.
Non-member
Interesting Discussion.
As you know, I am opposed to DSBs from a microbiology standpoint, so I use a SSB (about 2-3 inches or so -- just shy of permitting denitrification). Personally, I feel the sand bed only helps promote nitrification and host all those cool critters, but thats just my opinion.
Matt
As you know, I am opposed to DSBs from a microbiology standpoint, so I use a SSB (about 2-3 inches or so -- just shy of permitting denitrification). Personally, I feel the sand bed only helps promote nitrification and host all those cool critters, but thats just my opinion.
Matt
Lam
aka Auberon
I wouldn't think it is in opposition with one another as long as the 2 systems remain 'in line'. I think you get the best of both worlds doing it this way. I also recently had a refugium with 6" DSB in line.
If you had a DSB in the fish tank where it can accumulate detritus from fish feces and food particles, I think that's one of the reason people want to go BB to avoid nutrient build up. If you have a refugium where detritus won't accumulate to substantial proportions, then you get the benefits of the denitrifying bacteria. Once the sandbed has served its purpose, it can be easily removed especially if it's in line as super cook mentioned.
If you had a DSB in the fish tank where it can accumulate detritus from fish feces and food particles, I think that's one of the reason people want to go BB to avoid nutrient build up. If you have a refugium where detritus won't accumulate to substantial proportions, then you get the benefits of the denitrifying bacteria. Once the sandbed has served its purpose, it can be easily removed especially if it's in line as super cook mentioned.
turfgrass
Non-member
I got rid of the deep sandbed about a month ago. Now I have what I think is called a faux bottom. The sand (southdown) is actually epoxied to the bottom of the tank and it looks great. When every I feel like cleaning I can put a suction to the bottom and not worry about sand. I really didn,t like the look of starboard and I think this is great. I'll try to get a pic out in a little while.
