Considering going barebottom

[Earp]

Since the search feature never works on RC...

What can I put down on the bottom that would protect the glass on the bottom from the rocks? I heard cutting board, but where do you get it in that size? Also, do I just silicon it there? Is there any better way?

Any reason I shouldnt? I am just keeping softies, shrooms, and a few zoos. I have a 55g fuge with a 6" deep sand bed.

 

[SkyPapa]

A lot of people, myself included, use some plastic called "starboard".
I got mine from a place in Florida called Cesany Plastics. Google it.
They will cut it to size.
A 35in. x 17in. x 1/4in. cost me about $27 shipped for my 40G.
I just have mine sitting on the bottom and the LR holds it down.It doesn't float but it's kind of neutral bouyancy.
I bought a larger piece of 1/2in. thick from a local boat supply store years ago for my 120G.

 

[NanoGurl]

I just bought some from thecuttingboardcompany.com I got 1/2" for my 120g.

 

[Earp]

So just silicon it to the bottom? Thats it?

 

[NanoGurl]

You don't have to silicone it unless your rocks won't hold it down. If it's too light to hold it down, then yea silicone it but make sure the bottom is completely flat and nothing is underneath it.

 

[scapes]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12339872#post12339872 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NanoGurl
I just bought some from thecuttingboardcompany.com I got 1/2" for my 120g.

I just tried this, and it's not the correct address. Could it be something else Nanogirl?

 

[kar93]

here you go;
http://www.cuttingboardcompany.com/custom.asp

 

[silvers]

If you dont sillicone it around the edges you will get alot of crap under the starboard. I dont know how it manages getting under there but it will.

 

[pgammon]

I didn't seal mine in my bow front and silvers right, all kinds of crud gets under, I even see a bristle worm or two.

 

[NanoGurl]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12340826#post12340826 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by scapes
I just tried this, and it's not the correct address. Could it be something else Nanogirl?

Kar is correct, thanks for providing the right link. I received my order today and it's great. I'll post some photos tonight for you guys.

 

[Mattmcf]

i see your only keeping softies... Why do you want to go BB? most do it because they like the idea of more flow/random flow which you cannot easily achieve with a DSB. Going BB is a great option, but it also puts more responsibility on your end. Because you are missing the DSB you will have to have a good skimmer and be very diligent on your water changes. I am not trying to talk you out of a BB setup (i have one and love it), just letting you know what you will be getting yourself into. Your nitrates will climb very quickly if you do not change your water religiously. Good luck!

 

[reefmaister]

I have a BB in 3 of my 4 tanks and I must say that it is MUCH easier to keep these tanks clean now. Powerheads push all the waste into a pile. If you keep zoos on the bottom, it will collect around them. Still, though, much easier to clean than sifting sand. I keep a dsb refugium beside two of the tanks with a low flow pump pumping water into the fuge and a couple of siphon tubes draining water out. As an added insurance, I purchased an aqua lifter pump to pump any bubbles out that might get trapped in the siphon tubes. One could just as easily construct a baffle for a siphon tube out of a fluorescent bulb cover that's sold in 4' or 2' segments at the hardware store.

With regard to your question I never put anything down before setting my rocks in but that is because they are stable and the higher rocks are tonga branch which is lightweight. If you are careful you can do this and then you wont have waste accumulating below a pane.

 

[NanoGurl]

Okay, here are some photos of the starboard we just got in today. Hopefully this will help you.

We got three sections to make it fit inside the tank. The first section is a large 47" x 18" piece for the front. Then two smaller 4" pieces to fit around the overflow box.