BB or SSB?

[Kigs!]

In a nano, 5 ~ 30g, which do you prefer? Putting the aesthetic issue aside, what is more beneficial or effective? I went from a BB to a shallow sand bed, and now I'm thinking of going to BB again. I've noticed a higher amount of detrius and a rise in nitrate.

 

[colinadam]

I'll always vote for the sandbed, looks more natural and with a ton of nassarius snails that I have and a pistol shrimp they do a great job keeping the sand clean.

JMO

 

[FateX8]

there really is no major benefit to a shallow sand bed other than aesthetics
if its more about functionality then go with bb

 

[fishes2889]

sand bed

 

[Hypertek99]

I vote sandbed. Oh so what's the difference with shallow sand bed and deep sand bed??? I only have 2 inches of sand is that shallow??? I never have any problems with it being dirty

 

[Patwa]

isn't a remote DSB a feasible option for a nano? shouldn't that be in the poll as well?

i agree with coralnutz though...a SSB is useless in a tank that small...it'll look good, but might be more of a headache in the longrun

Zach

 

[Patwa]

I vote sandbed. Oh so what's the difference with shallow sand bed and deep sand bed??? I only have 2 inches of sand is that shallow??? I never have any problems with it being dirty

2" is most defintiely a shallow bed.....DSB starts at 4" to 5", i believe...with some of the most productive ones being much more than that.

Zach

 

[Hypertek99]

WOW ok i should add more sand then. I don't see any bad effects looks clean?? My tank has been up for over 5 years now.

 

[ficklefins]

I voted BB, but that is assuming you can get enough nutrient export through mechanical filtration.

 

[Patwa]

WOW ok i should add more sand then. I don't see any bad effects looks clean?? My tank has been up for over 5 years now.

if it ain't broke, don't fix it ......whatever you're doing is working perfectly fine

Zach

 

[Patwa]

I voted BB, but that is assuming you can get enough nutrient export through mechanical filtration.

you talking live-rock? or skimmer, etc..

there's some dutch reefer i read on RC that has a crazy 90gal SPS tank...barebottom, but only 25lbs of rock!....not sure how he does it, but his levels are quite acceptable...he does dose some of those wacky concoctions you see the Italians use

Zach

 

[turbois300]

Its seems to me that a 4-5" sand bed would be the headache??? Isn't that just 2-4" more for the poopie to settle into?? I too have a 2" sandbed and with the snails, crabs and micro-serpent stars I have had very good results. Plus the look of 4" of sand up on the glass is ugly IMO. Why waste the real estate???

 

[turbois300]

Well that makes sense. I have a thick bed in the fuge so maybe that is what is helping me. Do you still vaccume the dsb? I do my ssb and it stays purty and no nitrates or adverse effects.....as far as I know. I'll read more about it to make a more educated guesstimate for my setup. But like ou said it ain't broke so I'll prolly leave it as is. Thanks mang!

 

[Paintguru]

I would think a shallow sand bed in that size of a tank would be pretty easy to keep clean. I'd never go back to a DSB in my tank, but I think a course, SSB may be in my future at some point.