Sand bed depth seems to be a topic that breeds strong opinions and devoted followers of very different approaches as revealed in the following series of posts, among others.
(https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/pros-vs-cons-deep-sand-bed-vs-shallow-sand-bed.87740/)
However, does one approach preclude the other? I am setting up my first sump-based marine aquarium, a 50 gallon cube 24"x24"x20". I have one piece of hardscape that will come from my current 15 gallon FOWLR (with a few zoa's and paly's) tank.
I am wondering about a mixture of deep sand bed and shallow sand bed. I envision a cavern like one would see on a typical near-shore scuba dive with rock outcroppings coming forward to the front of the tank with a tapering sand bed between them. Significant tapering of substrate depth is common in freshwater aquascaping (where I have a little more experience) but I have not seen it discussed much in reef aquaria.
Any experience mixing deep and shallow sand beds? Any particular troubles? I would plan to leave the sand bed basically alone...maybe some minor vacuuming of the shallower areas.
![F0DCB1A5-02B1-40A9-B1A5-4FFD114EDE40_1_201_a.jpeg F0DCB1A5-02B1-40A9-B1A5-4FFD114EDE40_1_201_a.jpeg](https://test.reef2reef.com/data/attachments/1500/1500998-729b8fdaeb55a8cee57ad5e4f16122a9.jpg)
(https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/pros-vs-cons-deep-sand-bed-vs-shallow-sand-bed.87740/)
However, does one approach preclude the other? I am setting up my first sump-based marine aquarium, a 50 gallon cube 24"x24"x20". I have one piece of hardscape that will come from my current 15 gallon FOWLR (with a few zoa's and paly's) tank.
I am wondering about a mixture of deep sand bed and shallow sand bed. I envision a cavern like one would see on a typical near-shore scuba dive with rock outcroppings coming forward to the front of the tank with a tapering sand bed between them. Significant tapering of substrate depth is common in freshwater aquascaping (where I have a little more experience) but I have not seen it discussed much in reef aquaria.
Any experience mixing deep and shallow sand beds? Any particular troubles? I would plan to leave the sand bed basically alone...maybe some minor vacuuming of the shallower areas.
![2B95C0AC-1281-4ECB-9E81-AFB461EB8BDF_1_201_a.jpeg 2B95C0AC-1281-4ECB-9E81-AFB461EB8BDF_1_201_a.jpeg](https://test.reef2reef.com/data/attachments/1500/1500996-0777625d77eadfd6d5cf9281fa332e42.jpg)
![4075E644-B09D-4E57-85F6-C45150C7801B.jpeg 4075E644-B09D-4E57-85F6-C45150C7801B.jpeg](https://test.reef2reef.com/data/attachments/1500/1500997-8a9e04be9fe839d279c765cc100ee574.jpg)
![F0DCB1A5-02B1-40A9-B1A5-4FFD114EDE40_1_201_a.jpeg F0DCB1A5-02B1-40A9-B1A5-4FFD114EDE40_1_201_a.jpeg](https://test.reef2reef.com/data/attachments/1500/1500998-729b8fdaeb55a8cee57ad5e4f16122a9.jpg)