Pros and Cons of PVC Bottom Tanks?

migston · 05/02/2008, 05:18 PM

I've been hearing about these and was just wondering about the potential benefits/downfalls of this design. can anyone point me to some info? Doing a search on "pvc bottom" doesn't helps since it just finds a bunch of tank build threads where they talk about PVC pipes.

jrlafrance · 05/02/2008, 05:29 PM

What do you mean by PVC bottom tank? I put together a bunch of PVC, under my sand, then stacked my rocks on the PVC so they can't fall. Is that what you are referring to?

migston · 05/02/2008, 05:37 PM

To my understanding, it's a glass tank but the bottom pane is made of pvc instead of glass. I might have misunderstood though.

widmer · 05/02/2008, 06:14 PM

The closest thing I know to that is starboard, which is the same stuff white plastic cutting boards are made out of. Do a search on that, it's probly what you're thinking of..

Hop · 05/02/2008, 06:58 PM

Well is has more give than glass. It resists cracking if you have a rockslide and drilling is much easier. Now judging by the cost of it, it may or may not be worth while. I've only seen a few, but I thought it was be a great idea for the right application

mwroberson · 05/02/2008, 06:58 PM

Migton,

Aquarium Environments builds these aquariums, and they do have a PVC bottom. From my understanding, the benefit is that you're able to drill as many holes as you like for closed loops etc. without worrying about strength. Most of the people who get these also get the tanks built rimless. The downside...cost.

migston · 05/02/2008, 08:38 PM

Oh ok I knew I wasn't crazy. So easier drilling and more resistant to rockslides. I think I can live without it then. Thanks guys.

BucNtears · 05/02/2008, 09:03 PM

Can you buy sheets of the starboard. Lowes / home depo?

GSMguy · 05/02/2008, 09:23 PM

cost is the only con,

its aquariums and glass environments out of texas, everything else about a PVC bottom besides cost is a pro.

it helps with rimless tanks by providing bracing at the base

PVC also can be cut to fit hex bulkheads for a super tight fit, also you can cut more holes in the PVC for closed loops

migston · 05/02/2008, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GSMguy
cost is the only con,

its aquariums and glass environments out of texas, everything else about a PVC bottom besides cost is a pro.

it helps with rimless tanks by providing bracing at the base

PVC also can be cut to fit hex bulkheads for a super tight fit, also you can cut more holes in the PVC for closed loops

Cost and availability I assume? Don't really hear about a lot of tank builders who offer this.

SkyPapa · 05/02/2008, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BucNtears
Can you buy sheets of the starboard. Lowes / home depo?

I've never seen it there.
I got some here.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/King-...spagenameZWDVW

He's in FL and I got it the next day.
He will cut to size and thickness.

SeanT · 05/03/2008, 01:42 AM

www.cuttingboardcompany.com

05/02/2008, 05:18 PM	#1
migston Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 481	Pros and Cons of PVC Bottom Tanks? I've been hearing about these and was just wondering about the potential benefits/downfalls of this design. can anyone point me to some info? Doing a search on "pvc bottom" doesn't helps since it just finds a bunch of tank build threads where they talk about PVC pipes. __________________ Migs Current Tank Info: 12g Aquapod, 70w MH Sunpod, Nano Remora

05/02/2008, 05:37 PM	#3
migston Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 481	To my understanding, it's a glass tank but the bottom pane is made of pvc instead of glass. I might have misunderstood though. __________________ Migs Current Tank Info: 12g Aquapod, 70w MH Sunpod, Nano Remora

05/02/2008, 06:58 PM	#5
Hop Carpe Noctem!!! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Western Colorado Posts: 8,548	Well is has more give than glass. It resists cracking if you have a rockslide and drilling is much easier. Now judging by the cost of it, it may or may not be worth while. I've only seen a few, but I thought it was be a great idea for the right application __________________ Hop Current Tank Info: 300-gallon in-wall system (mixed reef)

05/02/2008, 08:38 PM	#7
migston Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 481	Oh ok I knew I wasn't crazy. So easier drilling and more resistant to rockslides. I think I can live without it then. Thanks guys. __________________ Migs Current Tank Info: 12g Aquapod, 70w MH Sunpod, Nano Remora

05/02/2008, 09:03 PM	#8
BucNtears Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Crestview,FL. Posts: 1,019	Can you buy sheets of the starboard. Lowes / home depo? __________________ If I only had a bigger tank Current Tank Info: 120 with 75 sump/fuge

05/02/2008, 05:29 PM	#2
jrlafrance Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Escondido, CA Posts: 25	What do you mean by PVC bottom tank? I put together a bunch of PVC, under my sand, then stacked my rocks on the PVC so they can't fall. Is that what you are referring to?

05/02/2008, 06:14 PM	#4
widmer Drug Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Rochester, MN Posts: 2,958	The closest thing I know to that is starboard, which is the same stuff white plastic cutting boards are made out of. Do a search on that, it's probly what you're thinking of..

05/02/2008, 06:58 PM	#6
mwroberson Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6	Migton, Aquarium Environments builds these aquariums, and they do have a PVC bottom. From my understanding, the benefit is that you're able to drill as many holes as you like for closed loops etc. without worrying about strength. Most of the people who get these also get the tanks built rimless. The downside...cost.

05/02/2008, 09:23 PM	#9
GSMguy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northern New Mexico Posts: 17,420	cost is the only con, its aquariums and glass environments out of texas, everything else about a PVC bottom besides cost is a pro. it helps with rimless tanks by providing bracing at the base PVC also can be cut to fit hex bulkheads for a super tight fit, also you can cut more holes in the PVC for closed loops __________________ Nick. Conehead. Shallow Reef club. Current Tank Info: 48"x27"x14" Envision Acrylic rimless, 6x39w ATi Sunpower, Custom ATB Deluxe Skimmer, 4x tunze nano stream,ATB flowstar 1500, ACJR, Tunze osmolator.

05/03/2008, 01:42 AM	#12
SeanT Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wilmington, North Carolina Posts: 13,860	www.cuttingboardcompany.com __________________ My tank was cool. Current Tank Info: Barebottom (the tank not me...at least not at the moment).