Hi, i did not know whether to ask this in water chemistry or tank and equipment but i really need advice since i am sooooo confused.

I decided to go barebottom a couple of weeks ago because i got so worried that my fish would choke on the gravel and make it easier to clean the tank. Anyway today i was talking to one of the guys who works in the fish dep't at the petstore on purchasing semi-large decorative stones to add to my tank. I then mentioned that the tank has no gravel and he said that that is not a good idea because beneficial bacteria is kept there and that the waste that the fish produce, not necessarily the poop, gets trapped in the gravel and by leaving it barebottomed their waste remains floating in their water and is not good for the fish.

Now i already know that i have beneficial bacteria in my filter and i explained to him that it does not matter if you have gravel because there will always be benefial bacteria in the filter, he says that's true but i still need to trap the waste in the gravel.

I just need to know if what he says is true? I had planned on putting in gravel substrate into their aquarium since they are smaller but wanted to clarify this barebottom issue.


I have fluval 205 with carbon, zeo-carb, pre-filter and bio-max.

thanks


karla

Well fish poop don't float not in my barebottom QT tank.Only time it moves is if fish tries eating it or disturbs it.One advantage is its easier to clean all the poop out of a barebottom tank.My main tanks have gravel and it takes a lot longer to clean even using a gravel cleaner.Someone else will be able to give you more info.There may possibly be a thread in the tanks and equipment part of the forum that may help you.

I have a barebottom tank and absoulutely love mine. It is much easier to take care of. Despite what the lfs person told you , you do not "have to have gravel" . I started out with gravel and then slowly took a little out each water change till I was bare bottomed tank . Most of the beneficial bacteria is in your filter. I just use a net once a day and fish out any poo , and any debris etc. My filter intake tube also extends to the bottom of the tank . I believe Toothless did a post on this in the tank seciton of how to extend your filter tubing. I have one of the topfin aquariums from petsmart that when filled with water becomes mirrored on the the inside. My fishies just love look at themselves in their reflection

Kris is exactly correct! As are you. The beneficial bacteria that work the hardest are in the filter. To process nitrogen, the bacteria need oxygen. They get that in a filter that is turning over the water and aerating it. The gravel can only hold bacteria in the very surface parts, for the deeper parts do not get a good turnover of wastes or oxygen or nitrogen laden water.

A barebottom tank cannot harbor parasites, or hidden waste!

A bare bottom is by far the cleaner, healthier tank for fish keeping. Gravel is an aesthetically pleasing decoration, but you do not NEED it for any reason other than to please yourself if you wish.

As Kris mentioned, Toothy explained a wonderful way of extending your intakes to the bottom. I have done it with the tubes that come with my various filters, but the way Toothless explained works exceedingly well.

Do what you like with your tank. If you have build a good biological filter, then you have no need of the gravel.

What is "zeocarb"? Does it have zeolite in it?

I have bare bottom tanks, mainly because Daryl was such a seller of them in different threads. She sold me and I am so pleased that she did. I love them. Besides being a healthier place for my fish, clean up is so much easier. I would tell anyone that wants to go to a barebottom tank that I feel they would not be sorry!

Thanks, right now i do not need to extend my intake tube, i positioned it already before i removed the gravel. I already have it barebottomed i just wanted others input on keeping it barebottomed since this guy kind of scared me into thinking i've done something wrong.

I am not to sure if zeo-carb has zeo-lite in it. I started using it when my tank became cloudy. I later realized that i just was not cleaning the sides of the tank well enough.

I started using zeo-carb 9 months after I had set up my tank so it was already cycled and when doing tests i am still able to see if there are traces of ammonia, nitrite, etc. but very seldom will it appear higher than 0.

Zeo-Carb combines UltraGrade Carbon with Ammonia Remover to protect the aquarium from build-ups of both ammonia and liquified wastes, dyes and medications. The ammonia remover will also help remove the ammonia released when the chloramine bond in some municipal water supplies must be broken. The purity of the carbon prolongs active life and releases no phosphates into the water. Zeo-Carb should be replaced at least every month, more often if the aquarium is heavily loaded to ensure that the medias remain active and useful. For freshwater use only.


thanks for clarifying this barebottom issue, my intake tube picks up all the poop and stuff, the guy just confused me with whatever else is in the water that for some reason can be harmful without gravel.


karla

Just adding that I just started a new tank and decided to go barebottom in it other than a pile of large rocks, and so far I am loving it! Easy to clean, easier for the fish to find their food, I am really liking it!

Goodd luck with your tank and just wanted to say that you are smart to question pet store employees!

After reading this thread, I think I want to go barebottom too - everyone who does it seems so pleased with it - and the thing that made me really interested is when Daryl said that without gravel parasites and waste can't hide out...