Barebottom tank

[LetItReef]

Hello,

I am setting up a new tank and going BB this time. I have seen egg crates to protect the bottom glass and cut up thinner of pvc pipes for the rocks to stay. What other material I can use?
I see a material at a craft store that is like an egg crate but 10x finer and smaller, is this to use?

http://www.michaels.com/plastic-can...2S.html#q=mesh&pmpt=qualifying&sz=24&start=96

Thanks!

 

[P-Dub]

If you are going bare bottom I would not use egg crate. It just looks downright ugly. I used 3/16 HDPE black sheets glued down. Textured on one side. Looks good. Well, I think so...

 

[NY_Caveman]

I am using black Starboard. About the same as HDPE. 1/2” thick for a 45 gallon AIO (display is actually 30 gallons).

 

[mostlysticks]

Don't use egg crate or pvc. You can use starboard but I just use bare glass. It's really fine.

 

[OriginalUserName]

You can also find textured ABS or PVC sheeting. I think I'll do stardboard myself.

 

[LetItReef]

Ok. This HDPE or Starboard does it deteriorate over time?

Thanks again!

 

[LetItReef]

I just looked up white starboard and it looks clean on a tank!

 

[NY_Caveman]

I just looked up white starboard and it looks clean on a tank!

boatoutfitters.com has a sea foam that is very close to aragonite. I bought their sample originally and compared before going with black.

 

[P-Dub]

Ok. This HDPE or Starboard does it deteriorate over time?

Thanks again!

It does not deteriorate at all.

 

[P-Dub]

I would loved to have used Starboard, I just couldn't source it where I live and shipping was cost prohibitive. I got the HDPE sheeting in a surplus bin at the plastics place while I was taking a trip to San Diego. Cost me all of $12.00.

 

[OriginalUserName]

I just looked up white starboard and it looks clean on a tank!

I think I may go black myself. I'm worried about algae looking funky until I get corals to cover it. I don't have direct experience though.

 

[LetItReef]

Don't use egg crate or pvc. You can use starboard but I just use bare glass. It's really fine.

Used to have sand and since my tank is still on order I have a holding tank with BB and I like just bare glass.

 

[Genomecop]

If you are going bare bottom I would not use egg crate. It just looks downright ugly. I used 3/16 HDPE black sheets glued down. Textured on one side. Looks good. Well, I think so...

Are you using silicone around the edges of the board?

 

[P-Dub]

Are you using silicone around the edges of the board?

The board is glued down with silicone and the edges are also sealed with silicone. I made certain to make a complete bead almost to the edge on the underside and then the edges themselves to prevent water from getting under the board. My thought was to prevent anaerobic zones that would be inaccessible for cleaning. Additionally, a very small air gap will help cushion any falling rock.

 

[Cory]

Starboard wont deteriorate unless your using ozone.

Welcome to the bb club! For me its a nightmare of detritus sticking to everything. Biofilms and the start of algae. But if you have tons of flow at the bottom you can keep it suspended. But youll probably need tons of flow.

 

[esquare]

I went with a thin layer of silicon covering the bottom then embedded sand in it.

 

[P-Dub]

I went with a thin layer of silicon covering the bottom then embedded sand in it.

Well, @esquare, that's an option I never thought of. Care to share some photos

 

[esquare]

Ask and you shall receive. I used 4 10.1 oz tubes of silicon for my 40 breeder.

 

[esquare]

Unfortunately, I'm still battling algae and the tank hasn't settled down yet.

 

[Murica]

I just had the clear glass which was covered in coralline in no time