[spanko]

Dana, how deep is your sand? I don't think "about x inches" is a good answer here, you will need to actually measure it. Also how big is the tank?

[ozzychas]

so what you are saying is i should try a BB bottom, sounds like some thing i would like to try , are there any threads about how to set it up ? and what do I do with the snails, they wont be happylol i just want to thank you all for your input!!!!!
i'm still alittle away from starting up ,my stand is done , sump is made, working on canopy now, still got to bye the tank, o yea the plumbing , what am i nuts

[spanko]

Speaking for myself, I am not trying to steer you one way or the other, just giving you some of my experiences with sand and bare bottom tanks. I believe you need to do your home work, decide on what you are going to build your tank around and pick the type of substrate commensurate with your plan. I know that for the reef flat biotope I am trying to emulate the bare bottom helps me to keep the water quality where it needs to be for the SPS coral that dominate my tank, and it allows the increased flow that the SPS also need without causing sandstorms.
I will tell you that I think the next iteration for this tank will probably be some type of patch reef and it will have a shallow sand bed.