Ques. (Question of the day?) Sand or no sand?

[Cpage101]

Do you have sand substrate or not? Tell us why you use sand substrate or why not.

 

[FishieBusiness]

Me personally it's sand. I really like the look of it in the tank. It makes it brighter in the tank and It think that colors pop more.

 

[JohnK]

I like my sand.

I've been running DSBs since @2000. Never saw any of the various issues so many reefers say are "inevitable".

I like diversity, I don't like petri dish reefs.

 

[Duds]

I like my sand more natural look and most wrasses need sand so it’s kind of decided for me.

 

[MichaelJ]

Sand, I’ve tried the no sand route, wasn’t a fan…….

 

[Mike Lemming]

Sand for sure! Looks great and houses my wrasses and nassarius snails!

 

[Chris.sturgis]

Sand, if I could do it again though it would try bare bottom.

 

[Slombardi]

Bare bottom. Put black abs down to start it is now covered in coraline and corals. Maintenance is 100 times easier. I get the appeal of sand, but I don't think I ever want to have to maintain it again.

 

[Ortizdrz]

I've tried bare bottom and although it was easier to clean I just didn't like the look of it. With sand it's an extra step toward keeping it all clean but the pop it gives the tank is worth the hassle in my opinion. The coral look nice against white sand

 

[bwils]

@Slombardi you tank looks good without sand! My leopard wrasses need the sand and I wouldn't want a tank without them now.

 

[Cpage101]

All great answers and reasoning. This is awesome for others to review when planning their next tank build(s) I myself love sand as it as noted above make it look more natural as well as gives a place for my wrasse and snails to sleep

 

[BiGGiePauls33]

I do love the look of sand and it's benefits. I have not had a system with a sand bed since I believe 2019 ish. I like the high flow and ease of siphoning detritus quickly and easily. With the new system I go back and forth it I want to add sand in for some cool wrasses in the future, maybe.

 

[Reef2Sanity]

I only have had sand but am curious to try bare bottom

 

[Chris.sturgis]

If you want bare bottom and a wrasse you can always just put a small container of sand in the tank.

 

[JohnK]

I would go bare bottom in a heartbeat if I were more into SPS and wanted really high flow.