SSB or BB making a decision

[JRod]

I am going to upgrade my 120 to a 180 and currently have a DSB. I like the look of sand, but when the flow gets kicking, the front sand gets blown away. So I have decided on either SSB or BB. I figure with the SSB if the sand gets blown from the front, no sweat, and I will place MarinaBoard under it. Or should I just go straight BB. Anyone input is good.

I have read about the clothing optional BB post and the Sandbed posts but wondering if a blend of the two is possible, or actually, will it look ok. Thanks.

Joe

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

SSB will also have sand flying when your flow is kicking so if you are to up a lot of flow then I guess you must go with BB and you may want to do a remote DSB for denitrification

 

[Tonyscoots84]

If flow is what you are looking for to make all ur sps happy then do the BB.... as wingo said u can do a remote DSB in your sump.. all you would need is about 6 inches of good sand and ull be fine... dun worry about seeing the white from the cutting board that will be covered in coraline in a matter of months... i would never do sand again unless its in a remote area such as a sump....

 

[DRZL]

Joe!

Finally digging in huh (no pun intended)

My recommendation would be

A) if you like the look of sand but dont want as much of the headache use a larger grain of sand, not crush coral or anything but something in the 15mm range

B) Reconsider your flow ideas, you can keep suprisingly high flow in a sandy environment, youve just have to be clever and use wide flow instead of high powered nozzl-y (word?) flow.

Anyways when are you gonna come check out my stuff neighbor?

 

[bad coffee]

SSB! the bottom of the ocean isn't marina board.

nuff said.

B

 

[SlamaJama]

sand...i have BB...miss the look and benifits...i like my BB dont get me wrong...but sand is wtg

 

[scarf_ace1981]

i would go with sand.

like DRZL said, reconsider your flow ideas. try spreading out the flow as much as you can so there isn't one point that is getting a high concentration of flow.

 

[JRod]

Are we talking 1.5mm grain size or 15mm grain size. Caribsea has like nothing in the 15mm ballpark.

Leaning towards SSB in the 1" range.

 

[tomzpc]

SSB! the bottom of the ocean isn't marina board.

nuff said.

B

True, but the ocean's sandbed doesn't get loaded with organics as it does in our tanks either. Going with a barebottom tank makes it easier to keep water quality closer to natural conditions than does going with a sand bed so you can argue the natural side from either end of the debate. FWIW, I've always gone with a shallow sand bed but I will definitely consider a bare(starboard) bottom on my next tank. It's up to you in the end. A little sand is probably more aesthetically pleasing but in the long run the tank with the sand will probably require a little more maintenance.

 

[xxnonamexx]

Very interesting I have read alot on the DSB debate. I have a 55gal, Compact reef devil skimmer, Metal Halides, RO/DI water, Mag 7 for the return 2 powerheads on each side of tank, live rock, live rock also in sump, overhang filter, 4in DSB crushed coral in between, fine sand on top, zoas, sps, lps, clam, mushrooms, thinking of converting to BB. I like the BB without the fake looking cutting boards. I understand about cracking,breaking glass. From all of the reading I don't know if I need more flow to help get the detritus out. I really have not seen much debate regarding the maintenance of BB compared to DSB. Will a little sand be ok, I read some people have it but wouldn't it raise Nitrates b/c it still is trapping them? Would water changes need to be done more often? Thanks

 

[jhale]

SSB! the bottom of the ocean isn't marina board.

nuff said.

B

nor are our tanks the size of the ocean.

I think it depends what you want to keep.
I like SPS, they like a lot of flow, sand and tunzes blasting the bottom don't work that well either, so I have marina board. it turns purple from the coraline, not so bad. just pretend your reef is on a rocky ledge, not all the coral in the ocean grows on the bottom of it. :shhh:

I am going to use sand in my sump for it's denitifying abilitys.
If I had a deep enough tank to have both flow and sand, then I would have it in the tank, I do like the way it looks.

 

[xxnonamexx]

Do you have a photo, how much sand will you put in your sump? what size sand? what place did you purchase your marina board? I use Bionic for the coralline algae. I don't mind it looking purple.