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sand or bare bottom?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by jstngates, Mar 1, 2013.

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  1. Mar 1, 2013 #1
    jstngates Toledo Iowa

    jstngates Experienced Reefkeeper

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    Which is better? Just bought an acrylic and I'm kind of tired of sand blowing around.
     
  2. Mar 1, 2013 #2
    erayk1 Coralville, IA

    erayk1 Well-Known ReefKeeper Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member

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    I love bare bottoms.... /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/tongue.gif
     
  3. Mar 1, 2013 #3
    jstngates Toledo Iowa

    jstngates Experienced Reefkeeper

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    Do you paint the bottom black?
     
  4. Mar 1, 2013 #4
    erayk1 Coralville, IA

    erayk1 Well-Known ReefKeeper Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member

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    Nope, I like looking up through the bottom to see my critters.
     
  5. Mar 1, 2013 #5
    jstngates Toledo Iowa

    jstngates Experienced Reefkeeper

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    What do I do with my pistol shrimp? Also I think i like the idea of zoas growing on the acrylic bottom.
     
  6. Mar 1, 2013 #6
    Travis G

    Travis G Experienced Reefkeeper

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    What size tank u get???
     
  7. Mar 1, 2013 #7
    jstngates Toledo Iowa

    jstngates Experienced Reefkeeper

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    A 60 inch 125 acrylic
     
  8. Mar 1, 2013 #8
    ShaneP Williamsburg, IA

    ShaneP Well Known Hawkfish

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    Bare bottom for the win! You can't see through the bottom unless looking from underneath or from the top. Otherwise it's either a mirror reflection of your rock or it turns purple! /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/wink.gif. Either way, maintenance is so much easier.
     
  9. Mar 1, 2013 #9
    Travis G

    Travis G Experienced Reefkeeper

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    Nice!!!!!
     
  10. Mar 2, 2013 #10
    jstngates Toledo Iowa

    jstngates Experienced Reefkeeper

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    K gonna do it. I wasn't looking forward to the cloudy water from sand. Is my old rock gonna be okay to just put in?
     
  11. Mar 2, 2013 #11
    xroads La Porte City, IA

    xroads Veteran Reefkeeper Vendor

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    Lots of pros and cons to both.

    Sand- Many species of fish, corals, and inverts require sand
    Helps buffer PH
    More Natural look

    BB Sand wont blow around
    Sand wont scratch acrylic if it isnt there
    possibility of growing corals right on bottom
     
  12. Mar 2, 2013 #12
    blackx-runner Cedar Rapids, IA

    blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

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    I think my next tank will be a bare bottom. And the good thing about starting with bare bottom is if you decide you don't like it you can just add sand.
     
  13. Mar 2, 2013 #13
    jstngates Toledo Iowa

    jstngates Experienced Reefkeeper

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    Hey Craig if it were you what would you do? Also if I stayed with my sand could I put water and switch live rock and corals over then switch my sand over?
     
  14. Mar 4, 2013 #14
    ShaneP Williamsburg, IA

    ShaneP Well Known Hawkfish

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    The biggest advantage to being bare bottomed is that you can see exactly where you have detritus hanging out. Makes for easy cleaning and nutrient control. Need more nutrients? Leave it sit longer. Need more nutrient export? Siphon aggressively, or blast the bottom with flow so that it heads for the sump.

    Sand hides SO much stuff. I don't have any pH problems with my BB tank. It sits at 8.1.

    If you wanted to stick with sand, use new sand when you transfer. There's no point in keeping the old stuff.
     
  15. Mar 4, 2013 #15
    Travis G

    Travis G Experienced Reefkeeper

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    Not to hijack but ive contemplated gon BB. I dont like the mirror reflection. Can u use krylon fusion and paint the inside of the bottom? I was thinking black or white...
     
  16. Mar 4, 2013 #16
    blackx-runner Cedar Rapids, IA

    blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

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    I would paint the outside, not the inside of the tank....
     
  17. Mar 4, 2013 #17
    Travis G

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    If I paint the outside wouldn't I still get the mirror affect?
     
  18. Mar 4, 2013 #18
    blackx-runner Cedar Rapids, IA

    blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

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    If you paint the inside you're bound to loose some paint over time, I'd keep that crap out of an aquarium if I were you.
     
  19. Mar 4, 2013 #19
    Nik Windsor Heights

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    Matt (ninja) used a piece of countertop that looks like sand. It looks reealy good.
     
  20. Mar 4, 2013 #20
    Travis G

    Travis G Experienced Reefkeeper

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    Got a link??
     
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