Sand Beds

[catmel]

Hey everyone,
Im moving my 55 gallon to a 75 gallon. In my 55, I've always had a very shallow bed ( 15lbs for a 55 gallon).. is it necessary to have a DSB ( deep sand bed) for the health of the aquarium? My 55 seemed to do just fine with a shallow bed, but was curious. I have 40# in the 75 at the moment.. which makes a shallow ( but deeper than it was in my 55) sand bed. I dont plan on having any burrowing critters really..

Curious to hear input and thoughts on this.. thanks!

 

[Leighton79]

Necessary? I wouldn't say so looking at the 2 display tanks in my LFS.

The guy that runs it (it's won UK marine retailer of the year 3 times in the last 6 years) has been in the marine game since 1977, he swears by bare bottom tanks and good flow.

I got rid of the sand in my tank 3 months ago on his advice and since then I've had sparkling parameters and not a single problem with algaes or death of anything whatsoever. So I'd say no, it's not necessary at all.

 

[melosu58]

I`ve had a shallow sand bed for 13 yrs now with no problem. No you really do not have to have a DSB.

 

[catmel]

Thanks for the info was really debating on buying more sand or not, I think I'll stick with the shallow bed then

 

[melosu58]

I`m sure they might be beneficial but I dont like the look of them. Too much sand.