;)

New GIRL, actually....would a guy think of putting sand-textured drawer liner under his tank just to create the "impression" of substrate? ;)

Good point. My bad. I have also hear of people using a textured tile on the inside bottom of the tank. Like a marble or a sand stone.

I'm BB and liking it. Had shrimp and kept a Blue Linkia for about 2 years and about the only thing that probably wouldn't work, that I would want, would be that burrowing goby/shrimp pair. Found the bottom doesn't stay bare for long as get covered by coralline and zoas but is still easy to clean.

Still think it's something how long it takes people (including reefers) to notice no sand. If your not sure what to do can start BB and always add sand later if you don't like the look. If you do go sand suggest you consider just a SSB.

During the first year your tank will see all colours and problems it has to learn to stabilize kinda like a child learning to walk, the ultimate solution is patience every reefer wants to solve problems or ditch the real trick us playing things out. Sandbeds have a knack for solving their own problems and messing with it doesn't help and removing it doesn't get rid of the problem, it's all part of becoming established. Some systems establish rather quick some take forever that's where making patient decisions and informed decisions cones in:)

Someday I'll be doing a bb tank ive seen some real nice ones :)

I think if I were to go bb I would paint the bottom black:):)

bare bottom is easier to keep clean, as well as safer in terms of "Old Tank Syndrome", when deep sand bed accumulates so much dirt that tank is polluted with Hydrogen Sulfide and everything is dead in very short period of time.
If you really want sand keep it at 1" inch level.

I've run everything from BB to DSB and everything in between. Frankly I think BB or super shallow sand bed are the way to go. Easy to clean and, as has already been said, will soon be covered in Coraline or zoas so you don't really need to worry. I've even seen one tank on RC that had pretty much a "lawn" of GSP.

The only reason I'm going with a super shallow sandbed in the 20 gallon is for looks...there won't be a goby, but will be some sand sifting snails.

Either way you go will determine how you're going to secure live rock for display.

Hope this helps!

Cover the bottom with zoas, acans clams etc then you won't have to worry about seeing the glass. If you'd like to see an established BB tank you're more than welcome to come have a look...

I'm of a different school of thought from just about everybody on this board :lol:

As far as I'm concerned detritus is your friend, it is a food source for many different filter feeders and corals so I have a 3" sand bed that is undisturbed (except when I lift a rock). I have been successful so far and my tank will be 5 yrs old in march :mrgreen: