sand or bare glass bottom?

[mark]

Canadian, I'm BB lots of coralline, bottom is covered where lit.

[Canadian]

Originally Posted by mark

Canadian, I'm BB lots of coralline, bottom is covered where lit.

Originally Posted by Marlin65

Great post interesting info don't agree with the sand siffting though. Did you have the same light in each of your BB and SSB tanks? I find the watts and K's play a big part in the coraline growth.

Yeah I've had several reef tanks over the past 10 years and they've all been DSB or SSB. I've always had uncontrollable coralline algae growth. Since starting this BB tank a year ago I have had sporadic coralline algae growth. At one point in time when I moved several months ago I re-set up the tank with a SSB for aesthetics. In the first few weeks I had a spurt of coralline growth on the back panel but I also saw how much crap was accumulating in the sand bed (and yes I had lots of nassarius snails, ceriths, hermits, etc.) so I yanked it all. Since then my coralline growth has again diminished on the glass but does grow on the rocks. Coral growth remains the same. I did/do suffer from some pale coloration of some of my SPS which may be due to a very low nutrient system and is the only explanation I can come up with for the lack of coralline growth.

As far as adding sand sifting stars and sand dollars to a DSB is concerned: take a look at the recommendations for proper husbandry of a DSB by Ron Shimek. Firstly, both white sand sifting stars and sand dollars are generally inappropriate for a reef aquarium - they decimate the infauna in a sand bed and tend to then slowly starve. Secondly, adding anything other than detrivores to a DSB is counterproductive. If you're adding things to "stir" the top layer that's one thing, but if you're adding things that aggressively consume the infauna in the sand bed then you're defeating its purpose of assimilating waste as quickly as possible so it can be processed by bacteria. The pods, worms, microstars, etc. that sand sifting stars and sand dollars are eating are exactly what need to be left in a DSB to help consume waste so your DSB can function efficiently and not solidify.

[Whatigot]

Originally Posted by reefermadness

What ever method you use.......do research and do it right!

Thats definitely the most useful comment on this thread.
I'll maybe try and comment some more when I get a tank featured on RC.

[Canadian]

Originally Posted by Whatigot

Thats definitely the most useful comment on this thread.
I'll maybe try and comment some more when I get a tank featured on RC.

It sounds like you need a hug - you're too angry. *hug*

There, do you feel better now?

Maybe now you can lose just a bit of the attitude and lay off the personal attacks on members who have been here a long time and have helped a lot of people (Doug).

[Delphinus]

I have 2 tanks with sand and 2 without. One in particular is approaching 7 or 8 years (I can't remember if it was technically 2001 when I set it up or early 2002).

Honestly? That one tank has hit end of life and has hit it hard ... and I'm afraid .. very afraid of the teardown process ahead of me. As been said what can be found in sand that is a mere 8 months old, never mind 8 years. I am hoping to have all fish corals and clams removed before I touch that sand.

I like the aesthetics of sandbeds but that's it and that's all. And in hindsight, it's not worth it, spend the money on extra nice rock or a nice skimmer instead. Barebottom tanks from here on out for me.

[Doug]

Originally Posted by Whatigot

I'll maybe try and comment some more when I get a tank featured on RC.

'sigh'. I apologize for even mentioning it, even though its taken out of context of the reason I did.



Thanks Andrew.

[kodak]

All your info is very helpful..
Thank you

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Originally Posted by Doug

'sigh'. I apologize for even mentioning it, even though its taken out of context of the reason I did.

Doug, no need to apologize. You have 'street cred'...and that's not a bad thing...and you're allowed to be proud of your accomplishments, and the level of knowledge and experience that those accomplishments demonstrate.

And here I thought the T5 v. MH debate was bad....