Poll on DSB-Deep Sand Bed- SSB Shalloe sand bed and BB- Barebottom

[Waynesworld]

I am looking to setup a new tank and just wanted to start a poll about those who use DSB, SSB, or Barebottom and how well they like it with what inhabitants.

[frankandmaura]

I am tagging along...I did not vote because I don't know. I have a 125 that I am going to be making into a FOWLR and I was wondering the same thing. I am thinking about just doing a SSB (maybe about an inch)?!?

Are you doing a reef? I am wondering if it matters what the application is?

[Wiskey]

All my tanks are DSB, the 50G is about 5" deep, and the 180 is about 6" in the back and 2" in the front because of the flow

Whiskey

[DarthOcellaris]

I currently have a 'temp' tank that's bb and my new 125 I'm working on will be bb. I enjoy the look and cleanliness of bb. I also read up on DSB and the 'expiration' of them. Eventually, a DSB will release all the bound-up p04 and create chaos. Plus a DSB, if disturbed by flow or sand-diggers, can release anaerobic toxins I decided to go bb.

[YLChik]

I have two tanks and i am running about a 2 inch sand bed in both of them, with sugar sized sand. I like it, it looks pretty, but I don't worry about it exploding or whatever deep sand beds might do if touched too much....

bb is an option for my next tank, but I don't know enough about it to make that decision yet.

[YLChik]

Originally Posted by DarthOcellaris

Plus a DSB, if disturbed by flow or sand-diggers, can release anaerobic toxins I decided to go bb.

yeah yeah that's what I was talking about

[Fly Guy]

my answer to your poll is "yes"

[Waynesworld]

Originally Posted by Fly Guy

my answer to your poll is "yes"

lol--- Okay which do you prefer.

I am seriously considering a 180g BB at this time with extreme amounts of flow. Probably tunze or ecotechs

[Loverotties]

Ssb.

[Waynesworld]

Loverotties, How shallow? Is it enough for a wrasse etc?

[scoop]

I have 3 bb tanks (one is a work in process - just cycling) The 2 I have I started out with both as ssb, but once I started getting hair algae and fought it for about 6 months I decided to go bb on both. I am very pleased with the results, both have been bb now for ~ 2 yrs and no algae problems. I kept FO in a 55 for about 8 yrs with ssb, but I'd do bb for that now, too if I still had it, just because it's so easy to maintain. I don't have to vacuum the sand, just any detrius I see. (usually in one corner) With good flow I think the bb tanks are easier to maintain. I went fsb on my new tank - could be an option for you, too - the sand look, but still no maintenance.

[gwaco]

what are you looking to do ? that may influence my suggestion to you .
if your looking to tons of flow , i don't think i would opt for sand .

[jberd]

This might be a silly question but what does hair algae have to do with sand beds?

[carym]

Well I voted DSB, I have about 4 inches in the main tank but I do run a DSB in a refugium, the only problem I have is that I used Crushed Coral/Sand combination in the main tank and hate it. I need to switch it to a real DSB and then I will be much happier.

[fish.freak]

I have a ssb but im going to try bb since I have sps now