Anybody run their tank with no substrate?

[Im a Pisces]

I've read that some people prefer a bare bottom tank so they dont have to go through the trouble of vaccuming the gravel or sand. This looks tempting to me but would having no substrate prolong the cycling process? Or would the bacteria just attach to the tank itself and to parts in the filter and what not. Anybody have their tank bare bottom and want to share their experience with it? What are the disadvantages of doing this?

[Raskolnikov]

I ran barebottom for a while. It was visually unappealing, and my fish were much more easily spooked. I've since gone back to using substrate.

[ashdavid]

I go no substrate on a few of my tanks, but as Raskolnikov said bare bottom tanks can spook your fish. Thats why I either paint the bottom or put a peice of acrylic on the bottom to prevent this.

[Im a Pisces]

What kind of paint is safe to use? Any cycling problems?

[Jericho]

you need to use paint that is safe for potable water tanks. That is usually an epoxy paint that can be costly. If you were to use acrylic you can get pieces of colored acrylic at tap plastic for a few bucks. As for cycling there would be less surface area for bacteria to grow on, but then it is easy to clean up the waste off of the bottom and easy to see if you are overfeeding.

[jimangie1973]

I run my quarantine tank bare bottom. I just cut one of those all blue backgrounds to size and tape to the outside bottom of the tank. Fish seem to be fine with it.

[NatakuTseng]

I use no substrate in my discus tanks. Makes cleaning much easier. To be honest painted or not painted, the fish don't really care. That being said though, I do like to paint the bottom, back, and side with paint, it just helps to make the tank look better, and the fish are bit more comfortable with the back and sides painted over. The only time I think painting the bottom comes into play is if you have an open bottom stands where the fish can see right throught the glass, if there is somthin under it, it won't really bother them.

The bacteria is usually established in the filter, these tanks make doing water changes much easier though so I would reccomend doing more than normal.

[jimangie1973]

The only time I think painting the bottom comes into play is if you have an open bottom stands where the fish can see right throught the glass, if there is somthin under it, it won't really bother them.


Yes, that is the situation I had with an iron stand. The clear bottom was driving the fish nuts.

[Im a Pisces]

Hmm I think I'll get some blue plastic tablecover used for parties and cut it to fit on the bottom and back of my new 55 gal. Thanks for the input folks, much appreciated.

[StreetCypher]

I only run q-tanks bare.

Aethetically, its usually unappealing, and for bottom dwellers it gives them mental problems. Not sure about mid of top level fish though.

[Im a Pisces]

not too worried about the tank being visually appealing. i've never been much for worrying about how the tank looks. i just care about the fish. i plan on keeping a single midsized ca or sa cichlid in there. you think it'll mess with his head having bare bottom?

[StreetCypher]

If you care about the fish, i'd put substrate in. Sure it is a little more maintenance, but it will make your fish feel much more secure.

I have tried bare bottom with bichirs, and they were extremely skittish and easily startled. They are much more at ease with substrate.
BUT, i can't say the same for top level fish, i've never kept them in bare bottom

[mooman]

I ran a bare bottomed growout tank for fry. It seemed to bother me more than the fish. I eventualy put a very fine (less than a 1/4 in) layer of sand on the bottom. Cleaning was still easy and it made my viewing of the fry more enjoyable.

[anonapersona]

I add white foam to the bottom of my discus tanks, the white reflects light and makes them look better lit all around, the foam adds a bit of insulation to the bottom to retain heat, and the thinness of the foam allows light to get into the cabinet below so I can see really well when the lights are on.

From the front of the tank, I see a reflection of the blue background and the driftwood and plants, but looking down like the fish might, I see the white foam that looks a lot like white sand.

[nursie]

I don't do this personally, but I do know someone that runs barebottem ( :D) tanks, and he says he does so to decrease bacteria and other nasties in his tanks, and makes easier to keep clean.

[Holly9937]

When I set up my QT tank, the gravel was a bit bare in one spot and several different fish I put in were all very freaked out by the bare spot, seeing their reflection maybe?!?! It would be nice maintance wise though. I think a big mat would be cool, if it was possible to remove it and rinse it off without disturbing the gunk into the water, which is probably not possible :rolleyes:

[sardesign]

You can always paint the outside part of the glass too... so you don't have to worry about poisoning your fish.