Advice? Sand or No Sand?

I love both.

But the argument for sand includes the need for sand for many wrasses and gobies.



That is why I am combining the best of both worlds with sand in the back, BB in the front. I will cover the dam with encrusting corals.

 

I personally have one of each kind, I prefer a deep sand bed. The bare bottom looks sweet too, but after time with movement from fans the bare bottom just gets cluttered with particles. And takes the look away...IMO
My 2 cents.

 

They are twin tanks, set up basically the same way.

One will be encrusting montis, they other zoas

 

@Jen/Reefin mentioned Any kind of Cyphastrea "like meteor shower".

 

Love bare bottom. Put vortech right on the bottom and not much settles.

Can put starboard and white looks nice.

 

Never had a bare bottom myself. Just can't stand how it looks. I prefer a fine crushed coral. Looks good, heavy enough it doesn't get blown around, and can easily be cleaned.

 

That would look pretty sweet!

 

I have done both. With bare bottom I put some powerheads close to bottom and cranked them up. Worked great. But I didn't like the look. If I was going to do it again I would use starboard or white ceramic tiles to cover bottom.
I went with a heavier grade sand to reduce sand storms when my diamond spot goby decides to move sand piles around. I personally would rather have sand. I like all the critters and wrasses and things that live there.

 

If you ever want certain wrasses you will want a sand bottom. I dont think its right not to for them.

Sand beds look more natural imo.

 

Here's a bare bottom for ya. It's WWC tank on Reef2Reef. Encrusting montis, favias and chalices.

 

That is sweet @jeremy,

 

Wrasses do fine with fine crushed coral as well. But yeah they definitely need something to hide in at night.
Bill

 

Crushed coral is not recommended
though since they bury themselves and crushed coral can damage them

 

The biggest thing is just to keep what you like! Can have a fine tank either way. Sand critters are cool and fun - just have to be diligent and watch for detritus imo, but if you like it that is easy!


To me personally if running an sps reef crest style environment sand looks nice but unnatural. Not any sand on reefcrest, just rock, so rock bottom if duplicating high energy reef is the most "natural" to my eye, now if doing lower energy section of the reef sand or mud is appropriate. But once again it's just personal preference and great tanks can really be run with just about anything.

I do like how easy BB is though.

 

I agree

 

Never bothered mine. But my crushed coral isn't the chunky stuff.