Sand or bare, {corals}

[Reef Pilot]

I have a very thin sand layer now in my upstairs tank, as I moved much of it to my downstairs tank that I set up later. And with the water flow, it tends to keep the bottom bare in the front center. And my goby keeps moving it around. It is nice and clean, though.

[Dearth]

I personally would have an inch or so of covering on your bottom for a couple of reasons. To protect the bottom from accidental drops of rocks or other heavy objects, give your inverts and bottom dwellers something to rest or play in/on, easier removal or moving of encrusting coral and lastly if not least pure aesthetics.

More than likely you will have bare spots anyway but IMO you would still have the "natural" look

[Doug]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Why can't the clams go on the sand? Mine's been on the sand for 4 years and is happy as a, well, you know..

Does it just sit in the sand Brad or on a rock in the sand? If so how does it attach then?

Originally Posted by MitchM

I've started out bare, but I have a favia that is now starting to grow onto the acrylic bottom, which I do not want. It will make it very difficult to move if I let it continue.
I'm probably going to start adding a few cups of well rinsed sand every now and then to give me maybe a 1/2" overall depth.

I liked the bare look better than I thought I would. Very easy to keep clean.

Yes, I like the ease of cleaning when bare. Usually detritus collects in one place.

Originally Posted by Dearth

I personally would have an inch or so of covering on your bottom for a couple of reasons. To protect the bottom from accidental drops of rocks or other heavy objects, give your inverts and bottom dwellers something to rest or play in/on, easier removal or moving of encrusting coral and lastly if not least pure aesthetics.

More than likely you will have bare spots anyway but IMO you would still have the "natural" look

That was my original plan this time. I was going eggcrate, place the rock, then cut the 'crate thats left sticking out, then sand.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Doug

Does it just sit in the sand Brad or on a rock in the sand? If so how does it attach then?

It digs it's foot into the sand and attaches to the bottom.

[Aquattro]

Oh, and I'd really skip the eggcrate. I didn't, and I regret it. Some areas, due to flow, are always exposed. And really no reason for it at all. Not sure what I was thinking when I added it.

[Doug]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Oh, and I'd really skip the eggcrate. I didn't, and I regret it. Some areas, due to flow, are always exposed. And really no reason for it at all. Not sure what I was thinking when I added it.

Ya I remember that. Guess it depends on how many open areas I have like you