Sand vs Bare-Bottom Reef Tank side-by-side comparison. Pros, cons, when to pick each, and recommended setups for each tank type.
| Use case | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Mixed reef | Sand bed |
| Frag tank | Bare-bottom |
| SPS-dominant show tank | Bare-bottom or thin sand |
| Beginner reef | Sand bed |
| Goby + sand-sifter setup | Sand bed (mandatory) |
Sand bed. Use case Recommended Mixed reef Sand bed Frag tank Bare-bottom SPS-dominant show tank Bare-bottom or thin sand Beginner reef Sand bed Goby + sand-sifter setup Sand bed (mandatory).
Bare-bottom. Use case Recommended Mixed reef Sand bed Frag tank Bare-bottom SPS-dominant show tank Bare-bottom or thin sand Beginner reef Sand bed Goby + sand-sifter setup Sand bed (mandatory).
Bare-bottom or thin sand. Use case Recommended Mixed reef Sand bed Frag tank Bare-bottom SPS-dominant show tank Bare-bottom or thin sand Beginner reef Sand bed Goby + sand-sifter setup Sand bed (mandatory).
Sand bed. Use case Recommended Mixed reef Sand bed Frag tank Bare-bottom SPS-dominant show tank Bare-bottom or thin sand Beginner reef Sand bed Goby + sand-sifter setup Sand bed (mandatory).
Sand bed (mandatory). Use case Recommended Mixed reef Sand bed Frag tank Bare-bottom SPS-dominant show tank Bare-bottom or thin sand Beginner reef Sand bed Goby + sand-sifter setup Sand bed (mandatory).
Browse all side-by-side equipment comparisons. Or use the calculator collection to verify equipment sizing for your tank.