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Bare bottom reef?

coachV

Member
Joined
Feb 19, 2021
Messages
100
After struggling with nitrate for almost 3 years, I’m taking down the reef, removing the gravel I have. I chose a coarse gravel because I liked the look but didn’t realize how much it was going to trap detritus.

do I’m thinking of going care bottom instead of sand. Any suggestions? Any recommendations? I figure I can always add sand afterwards if I don’t like the experience.
Thank you.
 

Luke_L

Founder/Admin
Staff member
Joined
Feb 12, 2021
Messages
389
I ran bare bottom for a while, found a huge difference in nitrates and phosphates, but if I remember correctly my alk wasnt too stable... eventually I couldn't handle the bare bottom any longer...
 

Rookie

Active member
Joined
Feb 20, 2021
Messages
136
What about a compromise? Egg crate on bottom, place rocks in, put in just enough sand to cover the egg crate out front?
 

Luigi

Moderator
Joined
Feb 19, 2021
Messages
337
What about a compromise? Egg crate on bottom, place rocks in, put in just enough sand to cover the egg crate out front?
I ran DSB for years, then eggcrates. like you mention above..
Ran bare bottom and now sugar size sand and I have to say that
eggcrate and rocks. they still will trap detritus .. bare bottom is the cleanest one...but after awhile get bored ..I have to say that I love sugar sand ..i have to keep the powerhead. at medium speed or sand. goes left and right
 

Philip

New member
Joined
Mar 27, 2022
Messages
28
I went bare bottom after years of sand, it’s just too difficult to keep clean with rocks and coral getting in the way so I switched to bare bottom, kind of.
Went with white marine board, siliconed in place, then sanded the board to create more surface area for bacteria. Been happy with the result so far, snails love keeping it clean and can have wave makers closer to the bottom which gave me better movement at all levels and keeps it relatively clean.
Issue one - I had the remove my mechanical filtration and rely more on the skimmer, so in my case, the water column always has particles in it and mechanical filtration blocks up way faster than it did when I had sand. Removed the roller mat and use socks sometimes, mostly just overflowing tbh.
Issue two - sump really becomes the trap and cleaning is okay but I have a refugium and lots of pods, a good clean wipes out most of that which I hate doing.
 

Philip

New member
Joined
Mar 27, 2022
Messages
28
After being almost poisoned by silicone fumes (wearing a respirator is recommended), I sanded it and filled with water, still has the whitish appearance without the detritus trap that I wanted to avoid. Happy with it.ED0AB8E4-602D-4E95-9852-AB3B67A57A45.jpeg
 

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