Bare bottom tank question
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Andos99
Aquarium Advice FINatic
No substrate = stronger filtration requirements because bacteria has MUCH less place to grow. Personally I think they look silly.....really comes down to personal preferance.
schoeplein
Aquarium Advice Addict
Zero collection of detritus. No need for a cleanup crew.
However, there is the added manual removal of waste from the bottom of the tank.
Excellent choice for a FO or FOWLR.
But as stated above, it does just look silly, IMO.
However, there is the added manual removal of waste from the bottom of the tank.
Excellent choice for a FO or FOWLR.
But as stated above, it does just look silly, IMO.
Brenden
Aquarium Advice Addict
Why would you want a nice SW tank without a substrate? A bare bottom tank is kind of like a tuxedo with no pants. It looks good when you pose in the mirror but you do not want anyone to see you in it. 
Just my opinion but everyone has one so they do not hold their value.
Just my opinion but everyone has one so they do not hold their value. 
MarineFlake
Aquarium Advice FINatic
grow out/frag t anks usually contain no substrate. The reaons is, its typically corals/rock only. You may find a small fish/snail or something here and there to help with critter control but this environment won't sustain fully loaded tanks long term without a lot of external filtration. Post pics whatever you decide!
GL!
GL!
LittlePuff
Aquarium Advice Freak
All of the maintenence that goes with sand: Animals to sift/stir it, critters need to be replenished (detrivore kits)
DSB or no, plenum or not, what size grains, buffering? worrying that certain fish will clean out your critters.
give me time, I may think of more
Kim
DSB or no, plenum or not, what size grains, buffering? worrying that certain fish will clean out your critters.
give me time, I may think of more
Kim
Boxster
Aquarium Advice Freak
I am running BB tank on my 180g, though not 100% since I use a starboard. See my thread. I have no regret.
Advantage:
1. A lot less maintanance. I used to have sand bed, and in comparison, I do less siphoing now.
2. Related to #1, you can have good flow in your tank without the sand blowing all over. This help detritus suspended in the water column and eventually suck out by the skimmer, so that why less siphoing
3. the tank look cleaner. Though without the sand bed, it may look bare in the beginning but I guaranteed you that you will start to love it because the tank look so clean. Eventually, the whole barebottom will covered with Corraline. this happened to my starboard.
4. Bigger tank volume for your livestock
Disadvantage:
1. Some species may not like it. If you like to keep some fish that absolutely need the sandbed, then I would advise not to go BB then.
2. Need a good skimmer to skim out the detritus before it break down to phosphate. Just a cost issue.
Advantage:
1. A lot less maintanance. I used to have sand bed, and in comparison, I do less siphoing now.
2. Related to #1, you can have good flow in your tank without the sand blowing all over. This help detritus suspended in the water column and eventually suck out by the skimmer, so that why less siphoing
3. the tank look cleaner. Though without the sand bed, it may look bare in the beginning but I guaranteed you that you will start to love it because the tank look so clean. Eventually, the whole barebottom will covered with Corraline. this happened to my starboard.
4. Bigger tank volume for your livestock
Disadvantage:
1. Some species may not like it. If you like to keep some fish that absolutely need the sandbed, then I would advise not to go BB then.
2. Need a good skimmer to skim out the detritus before it break down to phosphate. Just a cost issue.
ccCapt
SW 20 & Over Club
Been bare bottomed since day 1...well over 15 yrs now and I don't think it looks too bad. 8)
ZoozFishMaster
Aquarium Advice Freak
Why would you need much more external filtration with a bare bottom tank? Live rock and a good skimmer are all you should need and a refugium harvesting macroalgae is an added bonus.
A bare bottom tank, IMO, makes it easier to remove detritus. You (meaning the tank owner) become the cleanup crew by siphoning out detritus that has collected on the bottom. With a sand substrate, proper sand sifting creatures are required to keep the upper layers "loose". Also a sand substrate becomes a home to many little creatures...amphipods, copepods, bristle worms, spaghetti worms, micro brittle stars, etc. You will definitley still have these creatures in a bare bottom tank, but IMO probably not as much as if you have a sandy substrate.
You can have a good looking and healthy tank either way.
A bare bottom tank, IMO, makes it easier to remove detritus. You (meaning the tank owner) become the cleanup crew by siphoning out detritus that has collected on the bottom. With a sand substrate, proper sand sifting creatures are required to keep the upper layers "loose". Also a sand substrate becomes a home to many little creatures...amphipods, copepods, bristle worms, spaghetti worms, micro brittle stars, etc. You will definitley still have these creatures in a bare bottom tank, but IMO probably not as much as if you have a sandy substrate.
You can have a good looking and healthy tank either way.
