Bare Bottom of Tank

[socer03dud]

I have had an ammonia problem sence this monday, I have relized that it is the crushed coral that is the cause of this problem. I am waiting for my local Home Depot to order some Yard Right sand to add to my fish tank. (they don't get any until spring) would it be okay to just have a bare bottom for the fish tank until then?

 

[bigarn]

Yep..... Some hobbyists swear by BB tanks period.

 

[socer03dud]

ok good i just wanted to make sure it was safe
thanks

 

[bill f]

BIGARN - What are your thoughts on BB tanks vs. DSB, tony detroit has me thinking of going to BB on my new setup.

 

[gonefishn]

About these BB tanks, I heard from my LFS that if you get this "Plastic"piece that is similar to plastic cutting boards from the local marina it acts as a reflector (and also protects the glass). Does anyone know about this?

 

[socer03dud]

Ok i just took about a bucket full of the cc. My tank is now super cloudy. I don't want to add to much stress to my fish, Will this add too much stress to them? I turned off my filter to help the cloudiness settle down.

 

[socer03dud]

I haven't heard of the plastic thing your talking about but the bottom of my tank is already acts kinda like a mirror, It's kinda cool

 

[gonefishn]

But how long will the glass take the pressure from the LR before it cracks? Doesn't the load get pretty much pinpointed down to e few spots ie. where the rock touches the glass? That just seems like a lot of pressure to me.

 

[squidd]

Socer03dud...To remove the CC from the tank, without "disturbing the "gunk"..siphon it out a bit at a time as you do water changes..
That'll suck the loose "gunk" out as it sucks the CC out...
"Starboard" can help spread the pressure points of the rock on tank bottom, but many run rock directly on bottom (me).. Depends on tank size and amount of rock..
50-60 lbs in a 55 is one thing...200lbs in a 180 is something else...

 

[bigarn]

Originally posted by Bill F
BIGARN - What are your thoughts on BB tanks vs. DSB, tony detroit has me thinking of going to BB on my new setup.
I have no experience with BB.... I prefer the sandbed, but once the coralline gets going on the BB's it does look good. If you don't want or need a sandbed.... I find nothing wrong with going BB.

 

[dmc888]

I would think it would be better to have the sand because you will have more beneficial bacteria to help filtration.

 

[socer03dud]

i kinda like the way the bb looks, I just wanted to get rid of the crushed coral. I woke up this morning and it was very clear, Now all i have to do is keep taking so much out at a time. But this morning it kinda looked like it had snowed on my tank, every thing was white, I'll siphin all the gunk out after i take out the cc, I siphin isn't strong enough Siphins a good idea thanks

 

[bill f]

dmc888 - I believe the idea behind a BB is that there is no waste material to build up and get trapped in your sand bed. As it was explained to me, a lot of LR will be the only biological filtration needed and your mechanical filtration is your floss/mesh sock to remove solids and your skimmer. You also need good circulation in your tank to kick up any solid waste material and allow it to drain to your sump or whatever you use for mechancial filtration.
It makes sense, but I think it comes down to asthetics, do you prefer the look of sand or glass/coraline build on the bottom.
I'm trying to decide which way to go on my new tank, I have a 4" dsb right now but a bb is truely maintenance free.

 

[bill f]

By the way, "starboard" is the name of that product, it's used for cutting boards. I think it only come in like 2x3 or 2x2 section so you'll have seems. If I go bb I think I may use starboard as my new tank is acryllic and will prevent scratches.
Does anyone know where to find starboard?

 

[bigarn]

Home Depot

 

[robchuck]

Originally posted by Bill F
Does anyone know where to find starboard?
You can get it from boat stores; West Marine is a good place to look if you have one of those near you. Also, cutting board material works just as well.

 

[bill f]

Thank you

 

[skrimpz]

What do you do about ph with bb i was considering going bb until i can fins some sand so i can take me cc. Do you have to put a buffer in the maintain the ph?

 

[gonefishn]

great. Starboard at home depot and marina. Maybe the marina can get bigger pieces eh? Would it make a difference for the liverock, weight wise?