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Originally Posted by cuttingras  no not really IfI was gonna say something, I'd just say it  naw I was just wondering how it's working out, if there was anything that could be detrimental by not having sand......the ocean doens't have a glass bottom, that I've ever seen  | the only thing detrimental about not having sand that I have found so far is there's no sand to absorb phosphates. With that being said, exporting nutrients is way easier because waste isn't gettin trapped by the sand. My 50 gallon is bb and though I don't really like the look, the water quality is pristine. No detriutus is allowed to settle in the DT other than in 1 corner where I syphon it out. the rest of it makes it to the sump where I just shop vac it once per week and call it good. Another good thing about BB is light penetration. With less nutrients in the tank to inhibit the light, you can get away with a little less light on a bar bottom tank. Par values are higher than in a tank with a sand bed.
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2 systems #1 55 gal softie/lps, 70 lbs LR, black sand, too many corals to list, w/ 4x96 watt pc, 2 seio 1100 pumps, diy rubbermaid sump with custom skimmer.
#2 50 gal sps/clam tank, 60 lbs LR, Bare Bottom, acropora dominant, with 2 x 175 watt 10K SE hamiltons and 1x 96 watt pc actinic, CLS powered by reeflo snapper (Tank has approx 60 times flow rate), coast to coast overflow, Lifereef Calcium Reactor w/ ph controller, and custom skimmer. | 
