Sand bed questions

[kien]

Originally Posted by Milad

If these are already answered somewhere feel free to send me link. Ive been searching and found some information but not alot.

My 180g build is coming along and one of the things I need to start looking at is sand. so some questions for all....

Do i need sand?
If not, whats downside of not using sand?
Should i be putting sand in a remote sump if i dont use it?
Can i just use a little sand? e.g 1"?

In my opinion sand has become a very personal choice. I think it was once thought that a Deep Sand Bed (DSB) was the way to go for nutrient export, some people still use it while others have abandoned it.

Do you need sand? I don't think so. There are tonnes of tanks out there that are completely bare bottomed now.

I can't think of a downside of not using sand other than aesthetics? You may not like the look of a bare bottom. Also, some critters like the sand and possibly sleep in it (like certain wrasses).

Putting sand in a remote sump? Again, that's completely up to you.

You can just use a little sand or as much as you'd like actually. Sand does need to be cleaned periodically, hence the need for sand sifters and/or cleaners.

A lot of people have gone from having a sandy bottom for years to now having bare bottom tanks, while some of gone the other way. Some tanks have both sand and bare spots all throughout the tank where a powerhead has blasted away and cleared the sand down to the glass When glass is exposed it just ends up getting covered by encrusting algaes like coraline. Some people like that look too (some don't).

Again, I think it just boils down to personal preference.