BB Starboard question

BASA · 01/07/2011, 02:17 AM

Is this a good idea or not?
Im thinking I want to silicone the starboard to the bottom of the tank then fill in the gap around the edge with silicon. My thought is it will prevent the buildup of detritus in those areas. The only negative I can think of is that it is permanent. What are your thoughts?

thi7b · 01/07/2011, 03:22 AM

I put starboard on my son BB tank. It a piece of mind from rock falling. Silicone will not stick to the starboard.

BASA · 01/08/2011, 06:53 AM

Hmm well thats good to know. I never would have thought that.

Anyone else have any input on this?

BASA · 01/08/2011, 06:24 PM

ttt

No one has ever tried this before?

sedor · 01/08/2011, 06:32 PM

I would use it, but not silicone it...or better yet just use a shallow 1" or less sand bed...I've also seen some folks glue sand all over the top of the starboard so you get the appearance of sand.

naterealbig · 01/08/2011, 07:16 PM

If you want something less permanent, just paint the bottom of your aquarium white. It looks great and is easy to clean. Look around and you will find threads that mention that the silicone peels off of the starborad after a few months (as the previous poster mentioned).....not good as far as looks are concerned. Further more, I have yet to see a thread where someone has cracked their tank because of a falling rock, so the starboard is not necessary as "protection". And if you really want to be safe, just epoxy the rocks together so they don't fall.

As far as using epoxy to glue sand onto the starboard, its pretty much pointless. You ruin the starboard that you probably will end up paying good money for, you lose a great deal of the refractive qualities of the sand (it will look dull and ugly when its glued), and detritus will tend to get stuck to the sand itself, defeating the purpose behind a barebottom tank. No matter what you do, without sand coraline algae will eventually cover the bottom, and the bottom of the tank will end up pink and purple....again making the addition of glued sand on the starboard pointless.

Paint the bottom of the aquarium white; it is easy to scrape the algae off if you want to keep the bottom white, and if you decide you can't deal with the look or patience it takes to run a bare bottom, you can always simply add sand.

Cheers

Gary Majchrzak · 01/08/2011, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BASA

Anyone else have any input on this?

truly: the most important factor here is to avoid a DSB in the display.

naterealbig · 01/08/2011, 08:00 PM

Why is the most important factor to avoid a deep sand bed in the display?

TampaReefer79 · 01/08/2011, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Majchrzak

truly: the most important factor here is to avoid a DSB in the display.

I'm with Nate on this one. Why is avoiding a DSB the most important thing?

Not that I would do it, but we have an 'old school' member of our club that believes in it whole-heartedly. Swears by it. EVERY tank he has, has a DSB and is skimmerless! lol Let's just say what he does is far from conventional, but it definitely works for him. He has sps growing out of the water!

James77 · 01/08/2011, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BASA

Is this a good idea or not?
Im thinking I want to silicone the starboard to the bottom of the tank then fill in the gap around the edge with silicon. My thought is it will prevent the buildup of detritus in those areas. The only negative I can think of is that it is permanent. What are your thoughts?

The amount of detritus that builds in the corners and under the board is very little compared to other places like rocks. I would not silicone it in, just rest it on the bottom. Personally I use a HDPE (similar to starboard) on the bottom, with a 1" layer of coarser sand over it for looks. Having the board protects the bottom as well as hides the glass should the sand blow away.

01/07/2011, 02:17 AM	#1
BASA Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 59	BB Starboard question Is this a good idea or not? Im thinking I want to silicone the starboard to the bottom of the tank then fill in the gap around the edge with silicon. My thought is it will prevent the buildup of detritus in those areas. The only negative I can think of is that it is permanent. What are your thoughts? __________________ 90 Gallon water went in on 01/02/2010 Current Tank Info: 90G Cycle started on Jan 2, 2010

01/08/2011, 06:53 AM	#3
BASA Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 59	Hmm well thats good to know. I never would have thought that. Anyone else have any input on this? __________________ 90 Gallon water went in on 01/02/2010 Current Tank Info: 90G Cycle started on Jan 2, 2010

01/08/2011, 06:24 PM	#4
BASA Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 59	ttt No one has ever tried this before? __________________ 90 Gallon water went in on 01/02/2010 Current Tank Info: 90G Cycle started on Jan 2, 2010

01/08/2011, 06:32 PM	#5
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	I would use it, but not silicone it...or better yet just use a shallow 1" or less sand bed...I've also seen some folks glue sand all over the top of the starboard so you get the appearance of sand. __________________ Ryan

01/08/2011, 07:16 PM	#6
naterealbig Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 2,252	If you want something less permanent, just paint the bottom of your aquarium white. It looks great and is easy to clean. Look around and you will find threads that mention that the silicone peels off of the starborad after a few months (as the previous poster mentioned).....not good as far as looks are concerned. Further more, I have yet to see a thread where someone has cracked their tank because of a falling rock, so the starboard is not necessary as "protection". And if you really want to be safe, just epoxy the rocks together so they don't fall. As far as using epoxy to glue sand onto the starboard, its pretty much pointless. You ruin the starboard that you probably will end up paying good money for, you lose a great deal of the refractive qualities of the sand (it will look dull and ugly when its glued), and detritus will tend to get stuck to the sand itself, defeating the purpose behind a barebottom tank. No matter what you do, without sand coraline algae will eventually cover the bottom, and the bottom of the tank will end up pink and purple....again making the addition of glued sand on the starboard pointless. Paint the bottom of the aquarium white; it is easy to scrape the algae off if you want to keep the bottom white, and if you decide you can't deal with the look or patience it takes to run a bare bottom, you can always simply add sand. Cheers __________________ My skimmate has notes of saffron, and a hint of lilac.

01/07/2011, 03:22 AM	#2
thi7b Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 274	I put starboard on my son BB tank. It a piece of mind from rock falling. Silicone will not stick to the starboard.

01/08/2011, 08:00 PM	#8
naterealbig Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 2,252	Why is the most important factor to avoid a deep sand bed in the display? __________________ My skimmate has notes of saffron, and a hint of lilac.

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