Bare Bottom Tanks?

[moonchild1970]

How many of you have bare bottom tanks? How many of you use sand? I'm getting a 55 G tank in about a week and I'm thinking I want to switch from bare bottom to sand.

What kind of sand do you all use and where do you get it?

 

[Gr8KarmaSF]

BB or sand, all depends on what you want.

BB is much easier to take care of but can be unsightly to some. IMO sand is more calmer for fish than BB.

I have both at the moment depending on what tank I use. The sand I use is pool filter sand. Very cheap, nice, and easy to work with. Do a search and you will find loads of information here on MFK.

Kepp us updated!

 

[moonchild1970]

Ok great! Now my other Q. How do you keep it clean?
I mean do you siphon it and such? And how often do you clean it?

 

[Hapdude]

Hi MC, I have evolved to bare tanks over many years, after wearing myself out trying to keep gravel clean! Now I just use large rocks and driftwood chunks, with some floating plants! Painting the bottom of the tank black or dark brown also helps calm bichirs down and brings out the darker colors in them! That's what works for me.

 

[beblondie]

if I decide todo barebottom I paint the outside bottom glass black or a sandy tan color -Anne
When i use substrate i use fine crushed gravel its a bit larger grained than sand and heavier too doesn't kick up as much
vacuuming sand is easy when you notice sand going up the siphon lift the siphon slightly it should fall back down

 

[moonchild1970]

Ooohh! Good idea. Thanks guys!

 

[Druu]

The problem I've found with play sand is presentation. Fish crap is clearly visible, so I would recommend a darker color of sand or fine gravel.

 

[Dovii dude]

Bare bottom all the way for me!!!!!Much easier to clean!!

 

[Nic]

i prefer barebottom tanks ....

 

[jcardona1]

barebottom = check out mine that I recently set up...