Going barebottom, few questions

[secrest]

Okay so I've finally decided to go bb in my 29 and see how it works for me. Ive been cooking the rock for about a month and a half now and tomorrow is going to be the day that i finish this thing up.

My only question now is how to find starboard. Im pretty sure ive heard that you can get it at home depot, but does anyone know what section its in? Also how much does it normally cost?

Also, is it bad to remove all of the sand in one day?

Thanks

 

[mntl]

Go HERE It is cheap and when you order they will cut and round the corneres for you. You just go online, type in the dimensions you want (even dow to 1/8" or whatever) Then it will give you a quote. You dont even need to talk to anyone, it is quick and easy.

P.S. you want 1/2" thick, and I found that if you make it 1/4-3/8" smaller than the bottom of your tank, you will leave a small gap between the glass and the starboard which makes it really easy to clean up the crud that will try to get between the edge of the starboard and the glass. If you get it to fit exactly, crud will find a way to wedge between the starboard and the glass and it will just turn brown and look bad.

-Just my .02c

-John-

 

[secrest]

Cool thanks, I actually found some at a place in town thats cheaper than the online link.

So is it okay to remove all my sand in one day?

 

[elephen]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7154851#post7154851 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by secrest
Cool thanks, I actually found some at a place in town thats cheaper than the online link.

Make sure its 1/2" HDPE

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7154851#post7154851 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by secrest
So is it okay to remove all my sand in one day?

I would do it all at once verses over a period of time. You may cause a small cycle after that and introducing your new rock, atleast I did and lost most of my fish and SPS.

 

[secrest]

I actually got the 3/4" because I heard that the 1/2" may warp over time.

So you removed your sand all at once and lost most of your fish and sps? Or you did it over time and that happened?

 

[woodywoo]

Will I went completely BB on my 65 and I love it. Everything looks great. I've gotten good ( not Great) but good growth out of everthing.

 

[secrest]

Well it's all done. It only took five hours, but I'm now barebottom

Im so glad I finally did this, I love my tank so much more now. Everything seems to be doing great to so thats another HUGE weight lifted off my shoulders(for now anyway).

Ill try to get some before and after pics up soon

 

[143gadgets]

Sounds great! I can't wait to see some pics.

 

[elephen]

Most definately post pics!!!

 

[secrest]

Before

After

Definately not the best but I like it

 

[Serioussnaps]

Dude i think it looked better before the BB. What were your exact reasons for going BB? I hope it was for maintenance purposes and not aesthetic.

 

[secrest]

Really? I HATED the way it looked before. Im not totally happy with the way it looks now though. Im going to get smaller pieces of rock and try to get the rock to only go halfway up the tank.

 

[Mogrash]

Yea I think the pre BB looked more natural. Were you having serious issues with the sand? Why the change?

Dude get some pieces of live rock with coralline on it and stick it in the tank!!

I sometimes dislike the abundance of my rock with tons of coralline on it..but I can't stand the baserock look either...