Sand or Bare Bottom 120 SPS

[dan-in-gr]

Hi, I have a 120 SPS only tank and changed to Tunze 6105 pumps and put wide nozzle on, it is set to blow gently over the corals on Sequence 2 30% one, 100% other and I rotate it about 7 second cycle.

I would like to go back to narrow nozzle, but it really blows the sand around, I am thinking of sucking all of sand out in front and go bare bottom. Any opinions, there is not much there, less than one inch, but under rocks about 1 to 2 inches and I would leave that in place.

[AliciaP]

I love having a BB tank. Mine is also 120 gallon and I love that I blast through the bottom of the rocks keeping it clean with power heads. I will probably never go back to having sand.

[mark54321]

+1 on BB. I also have SPS 120 gal. and removed all sand. I like the clean look of it and ease to clean any detritus that accumulate in one corner of my tank.

[patekphilippe]

i go with BB used to have and also remove too

[bskiba]

bare bottom makes it easier and for me it is one less thing I need to clean.

[DNA]

For looks the sand makes all the difference in my opinion.

[dieselgrk]

Bare bottom is just so darn easy!

[Mangodude]

BB is easy but sand looks amazing.. if you do go sand, get a coarse grain. Ive got sugar fine and its a real pain

[aandfsoccr04]

Same tank as you with the same powerheads. I had a huge problem with blowing the sand all around the tank similar to your experiencing. I had to go with a much coarser sand so I used the tropic eden reef flakes and haven't had any problems since I switched all my sand out. I just don't think a reef tank looks natural without sand and definitely prefer the look with sand. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Allmost]

I love sand. it also brings stability and buffering capacity ... specially if running bacterioplankton ...

but the Idea of encrusting monties at the bottom, or like Copps reef, a ric garden is also nice ! but will take some time till they cover the whole bottom.

BB is much simpler ... but I think the siphoning and the steering needed for a shallow sand bed is worth the amazing look it gives the corals ... by contrast, color of corals pop more over a white sand bed.

[calbert0]

I love my Bare Bottom tank, but would not recomend going that direction without painting the bottom BLACK