Observation

[Aquattro]

I think using a shallow sand bed is fine, as long as you can manually clean it. Also, just put sand in the visible areas, not under the rock where it just ferments. I do still have sand in my tank, just not under the rock (for the most part, anyway)

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Zerandise

how do you get past the unfinished look tho? For me that is a large part of my sand bed (2"-3"). I just cant see me liking the way an acrylic bottom looks.

the coraline algae will grow over it in no time.

Steve

[Beverly]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

the coraline algae will grow over it in no time.

I have found this to be true in my BB tanks.

[DukeB]

I've been thinking of this for some time now. I couldn't get past the whole bare bottom glass look.
Coralline grows every where. I don't know why I didn't think of it growing on the bottom too. I could get used to that.

[Buccaneer]

I did have some nuissance algae issues with my old 300G inwall tank which had a 2 to 4 inch sandbed and a 6 inch DSB in the sump

Steve Weast's monster tank on RC has a very shallow ( 1 to 1 1/2 inch sandbed ) up front and no sand under the rockwork as Brad has suggested ... this still gives the aesthetic look of a sandbed without the trouble of a DSB ( he siphons it regularly though )

I am currently running without a sandbed myself after the move but do have plans to put in a VSSB up front ( very shallow sand bed ) when I have built the new tank.

[StirCrazy]

another option is to find large flat rock (maybe slate tiles) to put on the bottom to give the tank a rock bottom look. actualy there used to be a brand of tanks that used slate for the bottom instead of glass.

Steve

[Beverly]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

another option is to find large flat rock (maybe slate tiles) to put on the bottom to give the tank a rock bottom look.

Crud will get between and under the tiles, unless the tiles are tightly sealed to each other and the sides of the tank with, say, silicone or something.

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Beverly

Crud will get between and under the tiles, unless the tiles are tightly sealed to each other and the sides of the tank with, say, silicone or something.

Bingo, exactly what I was thinking but forgot to say

Steve

[Jaws]

Would it still be ok to keep a nice amount of sand in the sump or would you lose it all together. I always thought the sand played a big part in harvesting the proper bacteria to help make a tank thrive.

[Aquattro]

Jason, the sand has the same bacteria as the rock does, so if you have enough rock, you'll get denitrification happening. How much is the "right amount" varies with porosity. But following the pound per gallon rule should put you in the right area.
I would skip the sand altogether and either go bare bottom, crushed coral or a very shallow layer of sand that can be manually cleaned.