The Great Debate- Bare Bottom VS Sand Bottom

[@KentuckyReef]

I have a sand bottom. I NEVER clean the sand. I don’t have filter socks or a roller. My only filtration is a skimmer. I have a bunch of fish. I feed heavy and my nitrates and phosphates are low. Phosphate 0.03 low! Mainly sps but a few lps and even some mushrooms. My tank is about ten years old. There are a million ways to skin a cat…..

[@josgraha]

yeah there's a guy @CJSAQUARIUMS who documents his journey with the fiji pink (fine stuff) and once his tank is cycled, uses pods to clean the sand and removes all mechanical. seems to work

[@WorldWideCorals]

Is it a shallow sand bed or a DSB? If you have enough critters(and/or sleeper gobies) they will be cleaning the sand for you, as it is in nature.

[@KentuckyReef]

@@WorldWideCorals it’s not “deep”. It is about 2 - 3” deep. I have one wrasse and 8 nassarius snails which “stir up” the sand bed in a 4’ tank

[@Flowriter]

I just set up a biocube with a fluval fx2, biocube 2 skimmer, and a refugium in the back. I’m gonna stock hella fish and corals. I hope I didn’t over do it.

[@TrevorHiller]

I started my tank with the smaller reborn media too. It definitely grows hair algae at first. I used a kitchen spoon to scoop out the sections with hair algae and put it in a bucket with hydrogen peroxide for a couple minutes then rinsed clean. It destroys the hair algae and sets it back a few weeks. I did this for a couple months until everything stabilized and it’s been golden since. Once it gets covered with purple CCA the hair algae doesn’t come back. It’s my favorite substrate so far, very easy to siphon clean, doesn’t blow around and still has the look of sand. Rubble is the natural reef substrate so it looks very natural. It may be a pain at first, but once you get through the ugly phase of it, you’ll love it.

[@WorldWideCorals]

Agreed. Vic went through exactly what you are describing in his office tank with the reborn. Once that time has passed, no more algae and beautiful coralline covered substrate from that point on. It also did not help that his tank was brand new lol 😂. Love it!!!!

[@tanksandtrainz9078]

I’m on year 4 of sand and have never cleaned it. It’s whiter than me. In the beginning it was tough but I think I’m going to do a mix on my new build. A few islands of reborn and sand every where else.

[@RastaBIasta]

I like pistol shrimp and goby pair, various sand shifter's. Sand bottom will always be my choice.

[@WorldWideCorals]

💪💪

[@elpimpi7135]

You guy's are G's! Thank you so much for this information. Now im definitely going bare bottom in my peninsula tank.

[@WorldWideCorals]

Thank you so much for the words! So happy we would inspire you

[@michaelt4469]

Using media also makes it easy for re fragging zoas and mushrooms, since they grab a hold of it

[@WorldWideCorals]

That is exactly what we do. We use this media for loose leathers and mushrooms to grab onto. It's versatile!!!!

[@danielhizer1228]

i added Fiji pink when i first started my tank but it blew everywhere i added special grade to the high flow areas and has done well for me

[@WorldWideCorals]

Special grade is my go to on installations. I love it!!!!

[@moviefan4life166]

Also curious if there’s a recommended source to buy the starboard, how to correctly measure it and how to correctly install it? Thanks again!

[@jpartavia4882]

I use bahama oolite on my 1000 gal tank, I’m full of acros and lps… works amazing for me and I also have plenty of acanthophyllias… I’m from Costa Rica, come over Vic, I’ll show you guys oolite can be an amazing option

[@WorldWideCorals]

Hello from Florida!! 👋👋

[@thomasdirocco]

I think Julian said the larger Reborn requires a CITES permit and became hard to import until recently

[@WorldWideCorals]

Makes sense, due to the size of the material. Thanks for watching!!!!

[@helenchambers169]

The biggest con for bare bottom for me is that I love my wrasses, a lot of them need sand to sleep in! I’m a bit OCD anyway so happy to weekly siphon my sand bed for my wrasses! Great video!

[@WorldWideCorals]

Those wrasse are living their best life with you!

[@bruhman8005]

just received a custom ABS cutting board with half inch space on every side away from the glass for my bare bottom that I am building rn. I’ll need this video

[@WorldWideCorals]

Looks like this video came right on time!!! Thanks for watching 😎

[@dmlmedia7382]

Bare bottom!! i run a 200 gallon fowlr that is bare bottom because i have 19 fish 6 of them are big. The ability to increase flow maximum for an hour or two a day keeps the tank CLEAN. Its been up for about 3 years and i am starting to put soft corals in it. It has taken a TREMEDOUS amount of time to cycle, longer than you stated a mere 4-6 month. It was about a year and a half before she started to level out, i have been keeping saltwater 23 years. It has a large sump with many gallons of ceramic media balls, i thought it was overkill, but it took a really long time to build up the beneficial bio even with a lot of fish. great video guys!

[@WorldWideCorals]

Make sure you send us photos we would love to see the tank!

[@tjomara3812]

I did bare bottom in a 60 cube for 6 years between '99 and 2005. Loved it. Next tank will be bb. Love your content WWC.

[@WorldWideCorals]

We love it!!!! If it worked for you, no reason to change!!!! Thank you for taking the time to watch this video 🙌🏼

[@KoiBoy6]

Love my bare bottom. Every week I take a 4 inch long scraper and get all of the open glass walls and then hit the bottom of the tank. Don't have to worry about cleaning the sand or removing it when trying to remove the waste in/on it either. It lets me siphon water out fast just using my garden hose.

[@WorldWideCorals]

Agreed, it makes it simple for us as well. Considering that you(and us as well) cannot have certain fish that need sand to live, such as jawfish, some wrasses, gobies, etc.

[@argh805]

You guys rock :) By any chance can you share link to get where to reborn ?

[@RatherBeTraveling]

What is your recommendation to change from sand to bare bottom or to a larger type of "sand" ?

[@mike_saw_7563]

Great video! I have a 15 gallon and was thinking of using the Reborn. Not sure if the 8.8lb bag would be enough?

[@aceonemg]

Love my Fiji pink and finally got it to where I just rake once a week. Clean up crew does it's thing, but was a pain to dial in the flow just right with a mixed reef but totally worth it.

[@WorldWideCorals]

I love the look of fiji pink sand too!!! The only drawback is the limitation on how much flow you can have in the tank.

[@Moondoggy1941]

Dang it, 3rd. What was Vic name of RC? Did he get banned?

[@WorldWideCorals]

Not sure, but we'll ask him for the SN!!!

[@lovermansmith9082]

Good Stuff ! 😊 Seems like the reborn your cooking is a good idea for a new tank . Maybe after 6 month or so if you want bare bottom , slowly remove it . Would you use srarboard if you weren't concerned about dropping a rock on the bottom ? You Guys work good together . 😊

[@WorldWideCorals]

Thanks for watching!!! Yes, we would have used starboard if not reborn on some tanks.

[@reddskii]

Sand is the natural filtering system. If you have no sand you need to add more filler equipment in your tank. It’s depends on your budget and your time to handle your tank, but the result is the same. You can make an amazing salt tank with both way. This is simple 😂😂😂 . Don’t worry about it. ❤❤❤

[@octagon_009]

Bare bottom is worth the wait time to cycle. Throw a media block in the back and gain surface area that way.

[@WorldWideCorals]

Having a bare bottom does open up different opportunities in making that system :)

[@A.R.C.77]

My bare bottom tank has a layer of gha but its kept super low from the fish grazing it. Works for me it grows taking nutrient out and the fish eat it

[@WorldWideCorals]

That my friend, is the circle of life!!!! 🙌

[@angelatsai1087]

bare bottom gang❤

[@MrGarciaJr]

You guys are great. Maybe do a poll on this subject.

[@WorldWideCorals]

Thank you Mr.Garcia!!! We appreciate the support. Might be worth someone making a poll about this on Reef2Reef!!!!

[@MrGarciaJr]

@@WorldWideCorals yeah you're right I noticed some poles on KZbin Don't really get much attention but this seems like a Good topic. I stop using reef to reef because some people are pretty uptight on there to say the least.

[@thereefinrican]

I love the Fiji pink sand . Like you said it’s a lot of work to keep it clean. I’d you have high flow the other option would be better. Great video. I would try tank 2 if I had to do it over to try something new. Great video

[@WorldWideCorals]

Thank you for watching!

[@ThomasKraus-k3e]

The two little fish large where can I buy it , and what’s the name of it and size

[@skinnerjw5525]

Special grade and reborn has been awesome for me

[@WorldWideCorals]

we love it as well.

[@LunaReefs]

Same. I have both in both of my tanks.

[@WorldWideCorals]

We love both!!!

[@j.hreviewsh6303]

I hand a 120 with 60gallon sump with a skimmer and socks with a refugium. I had a deep sand bed. 4 inches to 5 inches in some places in the tank. 2 years into my tank I have a spike in nitrates that I couldn’t come back from. I had total tank failure 1 year of cleaning and hoping I can save the tank but every sps died. I got rid of the fish and closed the tank down. I was super depressed. I’m starting up the tank again and will do bear bottom!! I’m a fan of heavy flow and sps, I also love have allot of fish in my reef. Bear bottom seems to be my way too go.

[@WorldWideCorals]

Go for it my friend!!! Make sure that you have a good amount of flow to keep the detritus in the water column and some great mechanical filtration to catch the particles 👍

[@moviefan4life166]

Great video! I’d love to know if you prefer black or white starboard and what your thoughts are for the people who keep their white ones pristine and scrape off the algae. I guess it’s subjective but curious to know which you favor. Thanks a ton!!

[@WorldWideCorals]

We typically use black starboard for installs. It can hide some algae and detritus better.

[@effief7635]

Whats the best way to cycle a bare bottom tank?

[@danriver12345]

This is the video I been waiting for. Lot of info.

[@WorldWideCorals]

You watch, we produce!!!! 😎

[@movingshadow702808]

#TeamSand - just get enough critters, I never clean my sandbed. I keep it fairly shallow at about an inch max, and my 15+ snails in my 70g SPS dominated mixed reef do their job well

[@irvinthatwhitefk8]

Who’s media is in Vic’s office tank I like that size

[@oldschoolnewventure845]

josh is always inspireing

[@DGGuaglianone]

I have a deep 6” sand bed because, I don’t know why but I figured go big or go home 😂

[@WorldWideCorals]

As long as you keep it clean that would be fine :)

[@joshuaguzman1938]

Appreciate all the hard work guys 👌🏽

[@WorldWideCorals]

And we appreciate you taking the time to watch our videos!!!! Thank you 🙏🏻

[@nathan8415]

What do yall recommend for pest control in bare bottom? Have a melanurus but really don’t want to keep him when I make tank bare bottom since he needs sand to sleep.

[@WorldWideCorals]

Turkey baster and a syphon, Kick up as much stuff as you can.

[@kpham2975]

Do you guys silicone the Starboard down when you set a new tank up?

[@ttown918]

No need to. Rock weight holds it down.

[@Pagodacoralsllc]

Can I add reborn on existing reef tank if it is bare bottom

[@WorldWideCorals]

yes you just have to watch in case of any spikes

[@Pagodacoralsllc]

@@WorldWideCorals thank you 🙏🏽

[@CMP275]

You talk about having bacteria in the sand, but I'm very surprised that you don't mention the vast amount of animal biodiversity in the sand. In Europe a lot of importance is given to that. Greetings from Spain.

[@WorldWideCorals]

Hello from across the water!!👋👋

[@hunterlaiten1924]

Where can you purchase the Reborn Media for the bottom of the aquarium like what you show at time stamp 11:18 in the video?

[@WorldWideCorals]

BRS would be a good location.

[@hunterlaiten1924]

@@WorldWideCorals Yes I agree but is it called ARM reactor media or TLF Reborn Media? Like what is the name of it?

[@WorldWideCorals]

@@hunterlaiten1924 tlf reborn media

[@hunterlaiten1924]

@@WorldWideCoralsthank youuuu!

[@shawnhendricks4345]

Another great video guys!!

[@WorldWideCorals]

Thanks for watching it Shawn!!!!

[@anthonyguillen678]

Caspers looking good !!!

[@WorldWideCorals]

We keep our boy fed and happy!!!

[@naldopr1030]

I remember that tank

[@arturreef8117]

I have been contemplating removing the sand well established tank. How would you recommend doing it? Section at a time of a course of how long?

[@WorldWideCorals]

One section at a time. You can do this while siphoning out water with your water changes. The key is to do this carefully and not stir the sand up.

[@arturreef8117]

@@WorldWideCorals thank you

[@knels5288]

Love the reactor media!!❤

[@WorldWideCorals]

It was worth the experiment that we did. A great find!!!!

[@bencobb3433]

What rock have you used in the 4000 gallon?

[@WorldWideCorals]

That is Marco Rocks shelf rock.

[@bencobb3433]

Great thanks guys

[@dazsboxofwater]

Could you use Just reactor media as here in the U.K. cannot see two little fishes media…? Could you not add sand too a sump to cycle it the same way ? I’m about to start a second tank & have been wanting to get bare bottom but with a lot of sand for my wrasse , only have two-three which sleep in the sand, the fairy wrasses seem to just sleep in the rocks… Any tips please ?

[@WorldWideCorals]

We can't say that all calcium reactor medias are the same, so we can only speak about something that we have used. As long as the media is a natural media made from coral skeleton, it should work the same(keeping in mind the size of the pieces that come in various reactor medias). Adding sand to the sump will have the same function as in the tank. The drawback is the small area you have to work with(not much surface space for the sand) and the fact that it would be easier for sand to get inside of your pumps.

[@dazsboxofwater]

@@WorldWideCorals appreciate the feed back , thank you very much.

[@janinesnyder8250]

Good insights 😊. Thanks!

[@WorldWideCorals]

No problem! Thank you for watching!! 😎

[@reefingbliss2354]

Can you do a wrasse with the reborn media?

[@WorldWideCorals]

Yes and no. You CAN have wrasses such as fairies and flashers, but you CANNOT have wrasses that sleep in the sand, such as anampses or the halichoeres group(yellow coris, green coris, radiant wrasse, melanorus, etc). The media will damage(and kill) fish trying to bury in it.

[@RedEyeReefer]

Let's go!!!

[@WorldWideCorals]

💪💪

[@Moondoggy1941]

When you guys rinse your sand, do you use freshwater or SW? Does it cause a Nitrate spike? What rational do you clean at a time?

[@WorldWideCorals]

We do not rinse our sand. We only use livesand. As for reborn, it comes in very clean and does not need risning.

[@sayurasem]

6:16 Jake Adams have the same principle

[@megajiga]

Lots of corals are also found on the sand bed and deeper, Im thinking Western Australia. So not really an argument except if you are going full SPS

[@vetekli1234]

To each their own but i do not agree with bare bottom being more natural. Sand is definitely present on a reef while a perfectly flat surface with coralline on it isnt.

[@WorldWideCorals]

If you are going for that natural look for sure!

[@saltwaterandlime]

Right now working on setting up a new tank I brought home from Reefapalooza. Really struggling to decide between barebottom and the large reborn

[@WorldWideCorals]

As seen in this video, both work great. Keep in mind the pros and cons for both and decide what you can and can't live with(for example, if seeing a detritus pile section of the tank will bother you, go with reborn).

[@josgraha]

fiji pink is a pain in the a** (the special grade stuff), speaking from experience here

[@WorldWideCorals]

Fiji pink is surely not as easy to keep visually clean as the other choices.

[@gocedimoski728]

Barebottom: cause space is precious☝️

[@WorldWideCorals]

Space is king!

[@purebloodedamerican1776]

I hate fiji pink. I have it in my 40g breeder and it always looks dirty unless I constantly clean it. Any recommendations on changing it out for the larger reborn media? Any downsides? I've read where it can have a negative impact on nitrates and right now, everything is perfect other than the looks

[@WorldWideCorals]

You can simply add the reborn on top of the fiji pink, or slowly remove the fiji pink(a little each time via a siphon tube while doing a W/C).

[@paulrod53]

So gobies with Fiji pink 😂

[@WorldWideCorals]

Nothing a diamond goby or two can't tackle!!!!

[@Dawg99999]

Sand is so Madonna

[@WorldWideCorals]

Interesting way to put that lol

[@paulrod53]

Do you guys know anyone who has caribsea CORALine gravel?

[@WorldWideCorals]

Never heard of that product.

[@valdezorbust]

Background music too loud on this one.