Tank Bottom

[ILikeFish]

I would like to go with a very minimal layer (.5") of fine sand with my new 140 gal mixed reef. I have heard stories of falling rocks breaking tank bottoms. Any sugestions on what I can easly cut to fit the bottom of my tank to protect it from falling rocks?

 

[alfani]

I would not recommend the minimal layer, it's either 3+ inch or none. With 0.5 inch you will get a lot of red slime or algea because dirt will settle at the bottom and you don't have enough bacteria to consume it.

 

[ILikeFish]

Thanks. I guess that is my first question then.

How thin / think should my sand bed be if i dont want a DSB.

 

[pecan2phat]

1.5 inches

 

[reefnewbe]

Alfani,
Thanks for the info, i was just debating on a sandbed for my cad 29.
gonna go barebottom.
I would not recommend the minimal layer, it's either 3+ inch or none. With 0.5 inch you will get a lot of red slime or algea because dirt will settle at the bottom and you don't have enough bacteria to consume it.

 

[alfani]

Thanks. I guess that is my first question then.

How thin / think should my sand bed be if i dont want a DSB.

it's all or none at all. a thin layer of sand would just be a place for slime/algea to grow from the fish waste and dirt

 

[prattreef]

it's all or none at all. a thin layer of sand would just be a place for slime/algea to grow from the fish waste and dirt

There is absolutely no reason not to use a sandbed for aesthetics that is in the 1-2 inch range. It won't function for denitrificatiuon like a deep bed, but that is not your intent. All my systems use sand in this manner. Since you are not attempting to maintain any substrate stratification I recommend you stir the bed weekly to remove any accumulated waste. A side benefit is that it stirs up fine particulates that help feed filterfeeding animals in the system. Keeping a sanbed in this manner also enables you to keep a wide range of cool fish and critters that need sandbeds to survive. Do you need a sand bed at all? No certainly not, but this notion of all or nothing is just not the case.

 

[Dre]

I see no reason why not half of my 90 gal has no substrate use some egg crate on the bottom Berlin style aquariums don't have any substrate at all and they are successful .Just don't keep wrasses in there.

 

[aaron]

I agree with Randy, a thin layer of sand is fine, but will not serve as part of the biological filter as a DSB would, and would also require some maintenance to keep it clean.
As for not cracking the bottom with an avalanche you can always put a layer of high density polyethylene sheet (starboard or cutting boards) down and cover it with a fine layer of sand to protect the bottom.

 

[ILikeFish]

Thanks for all the feed back everyone!

I guess a thin SB is ok as long as it is stired and cleaned regulary. Should I get some sand sifting critters?

Does anyone know where I can get a 2' x 4' sheet of starboard localy? Is there any problems with junk getting stuck under the starboard or any related concerns?

What kind of sand would people reconmend for the 1" layer. I was thinking about going as fine as possible.

 

[PolandSpring]

i have about 2 inches and i think its perfect..i would say not to go as fine because then when you move the sand it goes everywheree and takes a long time for it to settle Except..mine is kinda fine and it bothers me sometimes :irked: Also, you never know what kind of fish you will end up getting, and some need a bigger SB

 

[ILikeFish]

Thanks every one! Any sugestions on a sand size or place to get starboard?

 

[E.intheC]

I completely disagree that you can't have a shallow sand bed. .5 inches is great. I have used that on almost all my tanks. I find it's easier to just move the sand around a bit when you're doing water changes. Aragamax is the best for me, so far. You don't want sand that's too small or you'll have sand storms any time the flow touches it. Can cloud up the water too.
If you're worried about rocks falling, there are a few things you can do:

-Make sure all your rocks are anchored, using zip ties/acrylic rods/etc.
-You can special order cutting board (AKA Starboard in the reef hobby) from online companies. You'd probably spend $50-75 on a tank that size, I'd imagine. It will be a good cushion.

 

[E.intheC]

Here's the link where I purchased mine a while ago:

http://www.cuttingboardcompany.com/custom.asp

Make sure you get the kind that doesn't have any chemical additives.

 

[Reefers Paradise]

ur making such a big deal about an avalanche and the bottom braking what if u one those rocks hits the side of the think come on guys lets think here. u dont need to protect ur bottom glass its tempered. sand no sand it dont matter but if ur not using sand and u plan on keeping fish u must find somewhere thats going to house ur bacteria

 

[aaron]

Starboard is also know by its generic name - high density polyethylene (HDPE)
its the same stuff they use to make cutting boards for commercial kitchens.
I am not sure where you can get it in sheet form - you might be able to do a special order from Canal Plastics, but its probably going to work out a lot cheaper if you get it from a catering supplier on the Bowery. You might need to get two boards, you will have to see how big they come, but two boards makes it easier to install than one big one.
I would recommend sealing it to the bottom of the tank with silicon. that way you dont have any worries with detris getting trapped under it and pushing your nitrates up.

As far as needing sand to create a place for bacteria to colonise, that's what live rock is for. In my opinion, I found having a bare bottom with starboard made it much easier to keep my tank clean which resulted in much happier livestock, and the white of the bottom help reflect light back up into the tank, protected the bottom and allowed a substrate to be colonised by zoo's and other softies that would not attach so readily to glass.