Substrate.....or no substrate?

[mark]

take a look at the first couple of pictures in this thread for a GSP-bottom

[sharky222]

Thanks, everyone, for your feedback....still haven't decided what to do, but I am less confused by all the options!

I am gathering from various posts that one reason to have sand is to keep the aquascaping secure. However, I have read that the rocks should go on BB rather than sand, since pockets can form between the two if the rock is place right on top of the sand. True? If I go BB, how do I keep my rocks from shifting?

Anyway, still debating....I like the thought of having sand-burrowing critters, so it will probably come down to that.

[sharky222]

Xtreme, could you post a picture of your established BB tank?

[StirCrazy]

I'll put in another recomendation for very little sand or no sand. 9 years ago I went for the DSB craze and with in 4 years I had problems like you wouldn't believe, I took the sand out and all the problems went away.

I wouldn't use sand at all in a tank again, and Barbottom takes a while to get looking nice, but there are other ways like useing a natural stone tile on the bottom like Travertine, or marble, ect.. Travertine is composed of Calcium carbonate (limestone) so it pretty much the same make up as live rock, and corals can attach to it veary easy. one thing look for pouros Travertine not filled.

Steve

[Sean]

If you are new to the hobby going with no sand is nice to learn how things acually work. You can see where detris is collecting and you can easily suck it up. For me it was a good learning experience on my first tank to have no sand.

That being said I personally love the look of sand, and find it no problem to keep clean. Crabs help

[mark]

Originally Posted by sharky222

I am gathering from various posts that one reason to have sand is to keep the aquascaping secure. However, I have read that the rocks should go on BB rather than sand, since pockets can form between the two if the rock is place right on top of the sand. True? If I go BB, how do I keep my rocks from shifting?

My rocks directly on the glass and don't move.

If planning sand don't place the rocks directly on the sand as will settle and shift. What I did when I had a DSB was make platforms out of egg-crating and zip-ties so the bottom 3-4 inches of the rock wasn't buried.

[MitchM]

There is a reference library on this board that has a lot of good reading on the topics of sandbeds:

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=47

Have a read through it

When I was in Calgary, the first LFS I dealt with encouraged BB as well. I wonder if it's the same one?

I tried BB for a while, but have always enjoyed the added diversity of DSB's.

Mitch

[Chin_Lee]

you can always add sand AFTER the fact. Its as easy as putting sand in a container, put it into the water and then pouring it out where you want it.

I vote BB and my tanks have GSP growing along the bottom which looks really nice too.

[Reefer Rob]

This is the most civilized sand thread I've ever seen... by the way, I have no opinion Sand or no sand, it's all good.

[sharky222]

Thanks, everyone, for the advice! I've decided to tack the $4.99 sand-printed drawer-liner from Canadian Tire to the underside of the tank.....BB it is! For now, at least.....