[The Fire]

What do you think? Would a barebottom FOWLR be easier to clean and keep healthy? Or would a deep sandbed be the way to go? If I had good water flow, and made sure I kept the bottom clean would a barebottom be more successful? I want to be careful about DSB's becasue I've heard they will release nitrates and phospates later on as the tank matures, I've heard it takes three years or sooner. So I was just wondering.

[leebca]

You may not be getting the best information regarding DSBs.

The advantage/value of a DSB is to remove nitrates from the aquarium water. In a fish aquarium, the fish aren't bothered by medium to low nitrates. So nitrate removal is semi-optional. Enough nitrates will be 'exported' or removed performing proper and frequent water changes, and that is usually enough to keep the nitrate concentration below what fish care about.

If the FOWLR system will be using LR for the biological filter, then part of that function is also to remove nitrates. This is done by converting nitrates to nitrogen gas (and other chemicals). This is called denitrification. DSBs also perform denitrification. So with LR, the function of the DSB is also being duplicated.

Since you are setting up a FOWLR system you don't need a DSB. A barebottom display can be setup. It is a matter of personal preference. Regarding 'dirt' some wastes are cycled using the appropriate clean up crew. Granted you'll need to remove detritus and build up, but that can be done during water changes by siphoning the substrate (or the bare bottom). Either is almost as easy to 'clean' as the other.

Go with what you think looks best when it comes to substrate.

Only one caution though -- if you plan to keep Tangs, they will need some substrate. They swallow some bits of substrate to help them digest their food.

Regarding maturity, you may want to read this: The Mature Aquarium