barebottom tanks...opinions
- Thread starter Tackett
- Start date
You got any pics Vair? maybe I'll like your bare bottom too.
But seriously folks, I've seen so many good looking BB tanks lately that I'm gonna try it on my next tank. With a large fuge full of Chaeto and plenty of live rock I don't think I have to worry about Nitrates any more,,, and I can cover the bare bottom with Zoos or something,,, hmmm,,,you think they'll catch and eat the fish poop?
But seriously folks, I've seen so many good looking BB tanks lately that I'm gonna try it on my next tank. With a large fuge full of Chaeto and plenty of live rock I don't think I have to worry about Nitrates any more,,, and I can cover the bare bottom with Zoos or something,,, hmmm,,,you think they'll catch and eat the fish poop?
No it's not a stupid question. Zoos are just like little anemones I guess,,, they grab stuff,, they eat it,, and some of mine have strayed onto the backglass.
I think lots of different zoos over the bottom would look cool,, I'm sure someone must have already done this.
I think lots of different zoos over the bottom would look cool,, I'm sure someone must have already done this.
Tackett":2tcqi4ke said:
It depends what you are asking, are you asking what we all use on our BB tanks (starboard) or are you asking how the tank holds up after time on a BB tank ?
be more specific !
i have my tank(180 gal.) broken down now cause i am getting rid of my sand and am go BB with starboard with crushed coral glued to the surface of the board.
I think this is an interesting topic and conversation.
I use sand just for looks and to help distribute the weight of the rocks. And to provide some footing for macros. But only about a inch or so.
With thriving plant life maintaining the system, refugium or not, the bare bottom or sand discussion is more about looks than anything else. Which ever look best to you do it. But be sure to get the plant going.
I use sand just for looks and to help distribute the weight of the rocks. And to provide some footing for macros. But only about a inch or so.
With thriving plant life maintaining the system, refugium or not, the bare bottom or sand discussion is more about looks than anything else. Which ever look best to you do it. But be sure to get the plant going.
beaslbob":1w9299gg said:
That is a generalization.
Sand acts as a detritus trap and often the plants up-taking ability is proximity related. In other words, you can have lots of ickies building up in the sand and the plants can't do anything about it. Also, the rate of plant uptake is incredibly variable and they may not be able to deal with a sand 'burping' issue.
If you are collecting goo in the sand, and if you have sand you are, and either you stir the sand or it reaches saturation and starts to rerelease plants may not be sufficient to rid the water of pollutants.
Sand fills up. We know this. However, the rate it fills up is dependent on the system. It could fill up in 2 years or 20.
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If I were doing a system today, it would either be BB (possibly with a glued sand bottom) or it would have less than an inch of sand which I would vacuum.
I have reservations about a zoa or gsp bottom because it seems to me they would really be detritus traps. Maybe not though. There are several people doing it now.
I'm anti-bare bottom myself. I have yet to see any evidence that it creates a more healthy system (or a better looking one!).
There are too many benefits to having a sandbed to dissuade me yet. The largest positives are the overall increase in diversity in the tank and buffering capacity added.
There are too many benefits to having a sandbed to dissuade me yet. The largest positives are the overall increase in diversity in the tank and buffering capacity added.
With many types of macros can become a nuisence of their own in the main display. I will never do this again, some types of grape caulerpa can be bad in a main tank but types like feather caulerpa (Caulerpa taxifolia) can be very hard to get rid of. Overgrowing and irritating corals in the system as it grows. A refugium is the only place IMO for most macros.
Some but more so I think they will trap detritus in between the polyps and need to be cleaned between regularly with a turkey baster.
As far as barebottom goes it allows a much more low nutrient system over all, including whats in the sandbed, ect. Using BB with high currents also allows things to stay in suspension much longer then they would if a DSB was in the system.
JMO
If I were to go to Home Depot and ask for starboard would they know what I'm talking about? Is there another name for it? I am considering an acrylic tank with a bare bottom, but don't want to scratch the heck out of it. I assume the starboard is what I need?
Thanks.
Thanks.
I still don't understand what starboard is, or why someone would want to have it at the bottom of their tank. It's white, it looks like a cutting board!
At least use a black or dark blue bottom if you're going BB. I use a very thin layer of sand, and I've heard of folks gluing crushed coral or sand to a board to give it a more natural look.
At least use a black or dark blue bottom if you're going BB. I use a very thin layer of sand, and I've heard of folks gluing crushed coral or sand to a board to give it a more natural look.
Supporting the bottom of the tank eliminates the problem of a rock falling and breaking the glass? Is that what your saying? How? Yes only on glass tanks would you use Starboard.
I've had a bare bottom for years dropped lots of rock and had no issues. But with my new tank I'm going with the Starboard and glueing sand to it. FWIW I do have a deep sand bed, but in my sump.
The best places I've located to buy it seem to be boat supply and builders. It is used in huge sheets for decks and stuff on boats.
Dave
Edit: Starboard does come in a bunch of colors to match the bling bling of big old pimping boats.
I've had a bare bottom for years dropped lots of rock and had no issues. But with my new tank I'm going with the Starboard and glueing sand to it. FWIW I do have a deep sand bed, but in my sump.
The best places I've located to buy it seem to be boat supply and builders. It is used in huge sheets for decks and stuff on boats.
Dave
Edit: Starboard does come in a bunch of colors to match the bling bling of big old pimping boats.
There's a gap between the glass and its support on glass tanks, due to the braces. Having a ton of water pressure on one side, and air on the other, creates a huge pressure gradient. Fill this gap with styrofoam, or rubber, or wood, and you no longer have this problem. Try breaking the glass bottom of a braceless tank that is supported from beneath, or better yet, try putting a pane of glass on a flat floor and try breaking it with a rock--it's hard to do. 
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