considering bare bottom

[zeebo]

hi, I have a 30g not set up yet, and since my q-tank is bare bottom, i am liking how easy it is to clean. I just rub my hand around on the bottom, hope that is right , but I can purchase an aquarium sponge to clean the 30g if I go that way. Is that the correct way to do it , and then just do wc's afterward ?

What are the negatives with a bare bottom ? How often is sponge cleaning needed ?

I can paint the underside bottom black before set-up. What kind of paint must be used ?

Sorry if this question has been asked before , just want to get it right. Thanks,

 

[Marko Pleco]

Hi, my nursery tanks are bare bottom. i didnt do anything to them, i jusyt sat the tank on 1 inch polystyrene and thats it, but if you want to paint it i would use emulsion paint on the outside of tank, then if you change your mind later it will come off fairly easy, in my books anyway, easy to clean just siphon out. and i use sponge filters with air stone, these have worked for about 1 year now with no problems. Its the way i do it and it works for me . Cheers.

 

[zeebo]

ok. thanks Mark, but I am concerned about the inside bottom of the tank. I do not have a python that will reach as far as i will be setting it up , so I had planned to go with the bucket by removing 10% daily wc's . However , the bottom is a concern, can I use an aquarium sponge (made to clean glass) and run it back and forth on the bottom just before I do a wc ? Will that take care of any bacteria ? The poo I will syphon out with a turkey baster. I just need an easy way to care for the tank and not sure about bacteria buildup on the bottom. thanks

 

[bigbird]

zeebo that will be fine. good luck cheers jk :thumbup:

 

[zeebo]

great, thanks jk and Mark for your replies.