Sand vs. Barebottom?

[mandyplo]

Originally Posted by Myka

You found a source for real starboard? I can't find any around here, and most people have trouble locating it. Lot of people use the HDPE sheets. HDPE should come in an array of colors.

What kind of Goby? Some fish need sand to be comfortable. Without sand you can't have some fish. Since you are going to have an LPS/Zoa tank I would suggest you use a 1" coarse sand layer. You can vacuum that to its full depth to help keep it clean. You can also use critters like Fighting Conchs, Nassarius Snails, and Cerith Snails to keep it clean.

I think if that's your idea use white starboard/HDPE instead of tile, and put the sand on top. Some people do that.

I didn't really find anyone in my town who sells starboard I just looked it up online for info and a price. I live in a small town if it was sold locally it would be 2x more expensive than buying online anyways, this town is rediculous.
I have a yellow watchman goby. He does have a home in a hole in one of my live rock peices... Im not sure if it's dug into the sand per se.
How coarse of a sandbed would you recommend if I did go with 1" depth and wanted to be able to vacuum it?

[mandyplo]

And here's a thought... When I do the big tank move should I keep my current 1yr old sand or get new coarse sand for the display, and put some of the fine 1yr old sand in the refuge in the new sump I'm finally adding to my system?
If I put the old stuff in my sump, how much should I put in?

[Madreefer]

Originally Posted by Doug

This an old pic I found of a false bottom I once made for my 90g cube. If my memory serves me correct, I used a thick sheet of plexi glass. Put on a layer of reef safe silicone and then encrusted it with 1mm to 2mm aragonite. Lots of aging and rinsing after.

Worked and looked pretty good. Did collect detritus but could be sucked out during water changes.

Ot at least I think it did. Was a long time ago.

Now this actually looks good. For me i'm trying to create my own little piece of the ocean in my home and a with out sand it just takes away from the whole look. It looks bad IMO. I only have a 144G and run a Barracuda pump and have 2 MP40s and a MP10 all set at 80% on NTM and have sugar sand. No sand storms and even have a sand sifting goby. With proper placement of rock and the powerheads nobody should be having sand floating around in their tank.

[Madreefer]

Originally Posted by mandyplo

And here's a thought... When I do the big tank move should I keep my current 1yr old sand or get new coarse sand for the display, and put some of the fine 1yr old sand in the refuge in the new sump I'm finally adding to my system?
If I put the old stuff in my sump, how much should I put in?

What I would do and have done in all my tank upgrades. I take about a 1/4 of my old sand and set aside. As for the rest of it I rinse that hell out of it over and over and use it again. I than just put it back in and the sand i set aside is good for dseedig the sand I rinsed. Some people just worry to much. I've done it this way so many times with my tanks and others with no problems popping up at all.

[mandyplo]

Originally Posted by Madreefer

What I would do and have done in all my tank upgrades. I take about a 1/4 of my old sand and set aside. As for the rest of it I rinse that hell out of it over and over and use it again. I than just put it back in and the sand i set aside is good for dseedig the sand I rinsed. Some people just worry to much. I've done it this way so many times with my tanks and others with no problems popping up at all.

Ok thanks! Should I put anything in my sump with my chaeto? Some people use miracle mud, what are the benefits of using that? Or should I just use some of the sand from my display?