We tried one tank BB but after a few months, my wife & I decided we hated the look and add a thin layer of sand. Soooooo much better aesthetically.

Anthony

I have tried both and prefer the look of white sand, I added a diamond goby who is constantly churning up the sand keeping it perfectly clean. The only draw back to this is I now have to change out filter socks every few days but it's a small price to pay. If you do go this route be sure your live rock is resting on the bottom glass and stable, these guys move a ton of sand every day.

Hello

Sand definitely. Natural looking, and easier to do rock work too.

Titus

I vote for sand! Love the way it looks.

Gotta go with sand. Barebottom was cool until I started getting the algae that grows on glass and then had to clean the bare bottom to keep it looking nice. Kind of a pain. I ended up adding sand after a few months. Was only a small tank though so no big deal, I'm assuming you're setting up something big so adding sand later would be a mess...

The suspense is killing me... I am hoping to see a nice reef tank with white sand :smile:

I think sand is the way to go. The only problem I have is: the high flow of the tank moves the sand around and you end up with pile in some places and bare bottom in others. Gravel would stay put but looks too course for my liking.

Sand encourages spaghetti worms and other beneficial organisms

So the answer is: Yes, use sand, but don't use sand.

Sand gives a much more natural look.

Use sand and add rubble to the problem flow areas.