Finally Went Bare Bottom

Hunterprey · Sep 20, 2011

Finally decided to go Bare Bottom tank, and Im really liking it. I painted the outside of the tank flat black and it turned out really nice! Still have to vacuum the little amount of sand left from transferring ornaments tho. Definitely gonna make cleaning so easy and dont have to worry about sand getting sucked in the filter :hyper:

CrazyAirborne · Sep 21, 2011

as long as u like it!

soybean · Sep 21, 2011

I don't know what that bottom-dwelling fish in the photo is, but are you sure it will be happy without a substrate? I'm not sure I'd ever go barebottom in a tank with fish that live on the bottom, but as long as you like it

BigbruiserAl · Sep 21, 2011

I like it

I think im going to go BB on my discus tank, saw another tank with a BB a few rocks ad some plant pots with some plants in and it was nice :good:

MBOU · Sep 21, 2011

So much easier to look after!!!

Birchirs will be fine with no substrate

Hunterprey · Sep 21, 2011

Thanks! I really like it, having it painted flat black outside helped.

Yeah I think the Polypterus dont mind it, no unusual behaviour I noticed. I'd be more concerned about keeping fish that like to burrow under the sand like Kuhli Loaches. I can still add some gravel or sand in a small area of the tank if theres a need for it.

Plus I also like the fact that I dont have to worry about my sand getting sucked into my Canister Filter. Not really happy seeing sand in my Filter when I clean it :angry:

I would suggest heavier Ornaments tho, especially if you have pretty big fish. I had lighter ornaments before, my fish tries to redecorate my tank back then :crazy:

Chris2 · Sep 21, 2011

Bichers can be without substrate, they are unique thats for sure.

And i like the look!

Hunterprey · Sep 23, 2011

Thanks Chris. Im quite happy about how my tank turned out.

TwoTankAmin · Sep 23, 2011

First off- when it comes to how any tank looks, there is only one opinion that ever counts- that of the person or persons whose tank it is. If you like it, enjoy it and if you don't, change it so you do. This, of course, should be done as long as it is not detrimental to the health and welfare of the tank inhabitants. For example, don't put creatures that dig in bare bottom tanks etc, etc.

I breed a variety of plecos, and almost all are in bare bottom tanks. So too are most of my growout tanks. Many breeders use bare bottom tanks. That said, I also maintain several planted tanks with substrate, but have a couple of bare bottom plant tanks.

BBAl go for it

BigbruiserAl · Sep 23, 2011

Love the look of that tank TwoTankAmin. Am thinking 6 discus (the more common ones as their my first) with some sort of plec and a few dithers :blush: