bare bottom tank

[Myka]

I prefer BB in SPS systems because 100x turnover will even blow coral gravel around. I like the look of a "Starboard" bottom which is a brand name of HDPE or cutting board plastic. I had a tank all set up with the HDPE to transfer my SPS tank into, but the new tank never got water, so I don't know how that would have worked out. I know algae sticks to acrylic way worse than glass, but HDPE might be too slick to have that issue, so maybe I would have regretted it, maybe not. My BB SPS tank was about 50% coralline covered, but it never grew in all the way. It looked good where the coralline was, but aesthetically speaking, I don't like the look of the bare glass.

[Proteus]

I tried coarse substrate in my tank but didn't like the added time it took to vacuum. The bottom glass is painted black so looks alright and coraline will eventually cover it

[don.ald]

Attachment 13649this pic is old, but you can see how things cover the BB. Over time the zoas over took the blue cloves. The downside was they also grew up the sides of the glass and it was a chore to keep it clear.

[don.ald]

image.jpg

[don.ald]

Other side
image.jpg

[Amadod2]

I love the look of sand but I thought if I can get rid of the algae wait a few months then add a fine layer, or just remove most of it and vacuum the heck of what's staying In the tank

[mark]

like the pictures don.ald

[Myka]

Looks good Donald! I thought of doing something like that too with Monti or something...