SAND OR NO SAND

[Bblinks]

I am up-grading to a 300 from my 210, the question I have is if I should put sand in the tank or not. It is going to be a full sps tank with a few clams. Filtration include biopellets, large skimmer and a small refugium, plus I will be dosing some zeo additive.

[doch]

Personally, I don't like the look of a bare bottom tank. One thing to consider though is that you'll likely have lots of flow in an SPS tank, so don't pick a fine grain sand. Something a little bigger is better, otherwise your sand will blow around a lot... you likely already know that though!

[Bblinks]

That's the predicament I am faced with. I got 4x6105 and a wavebox. Some times when the pump gets bumped by a fish and it will start a sand storm. I think I am gonna go with a bare-bottom for starters and if I don;'t like the look of it I'll just add a bit of sand.

[doch]

I have 2 6105s in a 160... with 2 waveboxes... theres a little sand blowing, but for the most part, you just need to aim the 6105s... should be good from there.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Bblinks

I think I am gonna go with a bare-bottom for starters and if I don;'t like the look of it I'll just add a bit of sand.

Probably a lot easier than the other way around.

[Bblinks]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Probably a lot easier than the other way around.

HAHA 10-4 on that

[globaldesigns]

I also don't personally like the look of a bare bottom. 1-2 inches is nice.

[abcha0s]

Originally Posted by Bblinks

That's the predicament I am faced with. I got 4x6105 and a wavebox. Some times when the pump gets bumped by a fish and it will start a sand storm. I think I am gonna go with a bare-bottom for starters and if I don;'t like the look of it I'll just add a bit of sand.

I had a problem with my 6205 PHs where they would slip and point downward into the sand bed. It drove me crazy. I complained to Tunze and they suggested squeezing the C clamps to tighten the grip. I did this but was worried about breaking them if I squeezed too hard. After my first attempt, there was little improvement. I then asked Tunze again what I should do and they said squeeze harder - if they break, we will replace them. So, I squeezed to the point where I felt the C tighten. They did not break and they have never slipped since. Perhaps not an elegant solution, but it solved my problem.

I vote for having a sand bed. Get some sand sifting gobies to keep it clean. My sand bed is always white. I opted for a 1" sand bed in my bigger tank and it works well. I might increase the depth to 1.5" one day, but for now it's fine.

I like the DSBs too, but they do require more thought and need to be properly seeded with micro and macro fauna.

- Brad

[Bblinks]

Hi Brad.

It's always good to get your input. I think you are right about having a inch of sand just so it will make maintenance much less time consuming, and of course make the tank look more natural. The commander(wife) also agrees with the a thin layer of sand. So inch of sand it is.
Thanks everyone who voted and taken the time to reply to the thread.
Rich

Originally Posted by abcha0s@conceptaquatics

I had a problem with my 6205 PHs where they would slip and point downward into the sand bed. It drove me crazy. I complained to Tunze and they suggested squeezing the C clamps to tighten the grip. I did this but was worried about breaking them if I squeezed too hard. After my first attempt, there was little improvement. I then asked Tunze again what I should do and they said squeeze harder - if they break, we will replace them. So, I squeezed to the point where I felt the C tighten. They did not break and they have never slipped since. Perhaps not an elegant solution, but it solved my problem.

I vote for having a sand bed. Get some sand sifting gobies to keep it clean. My sand bed is always white. I opted for a 1" sand bed in my bigger tank and it works well. I might increase the depth to 1.5" one day, but for now it's fine.

I like the DSBs too, but they do require more thought and need to be properly seeded with micro and macro fauna.

- Brad