barebottom shrimp tanks

[DarrylR]

Anyone ever done or currently run a barebottom tank? I am looking for pictures and any advise if it will work.

Seems it would be be easier to clean rather than one with substrate.

[Hebily]

LOL. Almost everyone's QT is barebottom.

If I remember right, MsJinkzd runs several barebottom invert tanks.

[Cluunox]

plants are easy to move/remove for care cleanin but haven't need to remove yet.

92557

not to pretty with filter settup but it works.

[Hebily]

What kind of shrimp? I've heard that the color variants of dwarf shrimp will color up alot better with a dark substrate. You might be able to put a dark mat under the tank.

[BettaFishMommy]

i ran all my betta tanks barebottom and yes! it is soooo much easier for keeping the tank clean.

you could have a bunch of java moss scattered throughout the tank and then the shrimpies would at least have something to rest/play/etc on if you don't have any substrate.

[CichlidWrangler]

well.. my hospital tank is barebottom

but I really wouldnt do one permanately like that--- not much to look at

I guess it might be cool if you painted the bottom of the tank or something

[Hebily]

It's good for hospital or breeding, but definately not for show... unless you get creative.

[looney417]

lol, are those live plants. this reminds me of a plant nursery, except in water.

[thebrandon]

I like the idea of moss on the bottom, if you get taiwan moss it grows fast and would look cool.

[Hebily]

A tawain moss substrate would be cool, but you will need to find a way to keep it from floating. Maybe get that plastic craft screen, weight it, and thread the moss through it. Also, it will be impossible to clean, but I would think that the moss will absorb anything that wound up down there, so it wouldn't be a problem.

[thebrandon]

The taiwan moss I have in my 30 gallon just sits on the bottom, I haven't ever had to use anything to keep It from floating, but if needed keeping it down wouldn't be hard

[Hebily]

do you have gravel or sand? I've heard that it will stay down of gravel...

[captmicha]

That's what I have. I have a bare bottom tank with a bunch of java moss scattered in it. I also have this ruin bridge kind of thing. I'm not sure how I would clean it with substrate. I'd be afraid to push the vacuum into the substrate and take a bunch of shrimp babies w/ it. I'm also afraid I lose some each time I clean, even though I put a net on the bottom of the hose and invert it in a clear container of water and wait for any dirt to settle and look for shrimp. I always find some. I guess I just wouldn't push the vacuum into the substrate?? Sorry to hijack this thread.

[BoCoMo]

well.. my hospital tank is barebottom

but I really wouldnt do one permanately like that--- not much to look at

I guess it might be cool if you painted the bottom of the tank or something

Speckle paint can look like a sand substrate or you can use a darker brown for color enhancement.


A tawain moss substrate would be cool, but you will need to find a way to keep it from floating. Maybe get that plastic craft screen, weight it, and thread the moss through it. Also, it will be impossible to clean, but I would think that the moss will absorb anything that wound up down there, so it wouldn't be a problem.

I would like to see pics of this if you set it up this way! :D