Empty Deep Sand Bed

[Myghty]

Hello everyone, i have an 190 gallon full sps DSB tank, i want empty to my 5" sand bed to have more space.
do u guys think is it ok for me to take everything out in holding tank, empty the sand and put everything back with 70% fresh mix water ?
And what can i put on the bottom for the rock on a bare bottom ?

 

[vaguelyreeflike]

Would it be possible to keep about 1-2” of sand? If not then I like egg crate for under the rock to distribute weight, its not super pretty though. But can cut it to match the shapes of the rock so it’s less noticeable and put smaller chunks of rock around the base to hide it

 

[Myghty]

Would it be possible to keep about 1-2” of sand? If not then I like egg crate for under the rock to distribute weight, its not super pretty though. But can cut it to match the shapes of the rock so it’s less noticeable and put smaller chunks of rock around the base to hide it

is tile safe ?

 

[exnisstech]

No need for anything on the bottom if you want barebottom. All of my tanks are barebottom with the rocks sitting on the glass. As to removing the sand I wouldn't tear the tank down. I would vacuum it out a section at a time while doing some water changes. It will take a while but you'll be less likely to stir up nasties. You can even vacuum into a sock and reuse the water if needed. I removed a dsb this way years ago.

 

[Fish Fan]

I've never run a bare-bottom tank, but I am currently trying to build one. In my research, many said they use HDPE under their rocks, which is like a plastic material, basically what they make plastic kitchen cutting boards out of.

I ordered a piece of HDPE from US Plastics, and then I had other reefers here talk me out of using it for a couple of seemingly good reasons.

I am now in the camp of nothing on the bottom glass in a bare-bottom tank. I plan on cutting my lowest rocks flat on the bottom so they provide a sturdy base, and then using epoxy and/or super glue to adhere the rockwork together so it (hopefully!) cannot topple over and damage the tank or anything else.

Good luck!

 

[exnisstech]

I've never run a bare-bottom tank, but I am currently trying to build one. In my research, many said they use HDPE under their rocks, which is like a plastic material, basically what they make plastic kitchen cutting boards out of.

I ordered a piece of HDPE from US Plastics, and then I had other reefers here talk me out of using it for a couple of seemingly good reasons.

I am now in the camp of nothing on the bottom glass in a bare-bottom tank. I plan on cutting my lowest rocks flat on the bottom so they provide a sturdy base, and then using epoxy and/or super glue to adhere the rockwork together so it (hopefully!) cannot topple over and damage the tank or anything else.

Good luck!

Nothing at all wrong with running a piece under the rocks on a new start up. I wouldn't bother doing it to protect the glass, it's pretty tough.

 

[Fish Styx]

No need for anything on the bottom if you want barebottom. All of my tanks are barebottom with the rocks sitting on the glass. As to removing the sand I wouldn't tear the tank down. I would vacuum it out a section at a time while doing some water changes. It will take a while but you'll be less likely to stir up nasties. You can even vacuum into a sock and reuse the water if needed. I removed a dsb this way years ago.

This ^

 

[Fish Fan]

Nothing at all wrong with running a piece under the rocks on a new start up. I wouldn't bother doing it to protect the glass, it's pretty tough.

Are you saying it is OK to use the HDPE? Many here do, but I've decided to go without it. Thanks for your help!

 

[exnisstech]

Are you saying it is OK to use the HDPE? Many here do, but I've decided to go without it. Thanks for your help!

Everything I've read said it is fine to use. I have not used it. I've never felt the need to have anything between the rocks and glass.

 

[Fish Fan]

Everything I've read said it is fine to use. I have not used it. I've never felt the need to have anything between the rocks and glass.

Thank you for your reply!

Several experienced reefers including Joe from Glass Cages and Bean Animal advized not using it. That said, the guys at World Wide Corals do use it on their bare-bottoms, as do many here at R2R. I read posts about the material getting covered in coraline and it looks pretty cool.

In may case, I'm planning just a small, bare-bottom 25 gallon frag tank. It's slightly less than 12" tall, so my rock work can't be but 4"-6" high at most. I don't see a lot of problems with it falling over, especially if I glue everything together.

Thanks again!

 

[vaguelyreeflike]

is tile safe ?

I’ve never used it, but should still distribute the weight better than it just sitting on the glass. Hopefully someone who’s used tile can weigh in!

 

[Joe Glass Cages]

Thank you for your reply!

Several experienced reefers including Joe from Glass Cages and Bean Animal advized not using it. That said, the guys at World Wide Corals do use it on their bare-bottoms, as do many here at R2R. I read posts about the material getting covered in coraline and it looks pretty cool.

In may case, I'm planning just a small, bare-bottom 25 gallon frag tank. It's slightly less than 12" tall, so my rock work can't be but 4"-6" high at most. I don't see a lot of problems with it falling over, especially if I glue everything together.

Thanks again!

for more details. Below is a reply from a different thread. Thanks so much @Fish Fan

We decided to use Starboard. Starboard is version of HDPE. So much of the HDPE is imported from around the world and primarily from China. The Starboard we use is manufactured in FL by King Plastics. US sourced raw materials is important to us.

We initially tested sealing the Starboard in the tanks with silicone.

1. So Starboard will expand and contract with extreme temperatures. Well, shipping in the summer was a problem. Tank would leave the studio in perfect condition and show up at its destination expanded and buckled. ouch!
2. Silicone doesn't adhere to Starboard well. Just not going to stand the test of time and below will happen.
3. If, and its high possible that when sealing the starboard in the tank that a spot is missed and its not completely sealed, Danger, Danger, Danger. There will be a completely uncontrollable bio experience happening underneath the Starboard only to make its appearance at a later date. That will be a very very bad day.

We also tested not sealing the starboard. Been doing this method for just over three years now. About 250 plus tanks a year, details below:

1. Starboard is placed on the top of the bottom glass inside the tank.
2. No issues with unwanted things brewing underneath the Starboard
3. We found that using light weight artificial rock could be a problem. If snails are in the tank, they can push their way under the Starboard and then you have a problem. As more snails go beneath the Starboard, the bigger the issue. **** Using live rock is enough weight to hold the Starboard down. No issues when a good amount of weight is on top of the starboard.

When we have someone considering Starboard with our tanks, I share all of the above experiences. I do my best to talk them out of the decision. By doing this I have found that those that decide to do the Starboard are ready for the challenge and don't have the issues outlined above.

Hope this helps.

 

[Fish Fan]

for more details. Below is a reply from a different thread. Thanks so much @Fish Fan

We decided to use Starboard. Starboard is version of HDPE. So much of the HDPE is imported from around the world and primarily from China. The Starboard we use is manufactured in FL by King Plastics. US sourced raw materials is important to us.

We initially tested sealing the Starboard in the tanks with silicone.

1. So Starboard will expand and contract with extreme temperatures. Well, shipping in the summer was a problem. Tank would leave the studio in perfect condition and show up at its destination expanded and buckled. ouch!
2. Silicone doesn't adhere to Starboard well. Just not going to stand the test of time and below will happen.
3. If, and its high possible that when sealing the starboard in the tank that a spot is missed and its not completely sealed, Danger, Danger, Danger. There will be a completely uncontrollable bio experience happening underneath the Starboard only to make its appearance at a later date. That will be a very very bad day.

We also tested not sealing the starboard. Been doing this method for just over three years now. About 250 plus tanks a year, details below:

1. Starboard is placed on the top of the bottom glass inside the tank.
2. No issues with unwanted things brewing underneath the Starboard
3. We found that using light weight artificial rock could be a problem. If snails are in the tank, they can push their way under the Starboard and then you have a problem. As more snails go beneath the Starboard, the bigger the issue. **** Using live rock is enough weight to hold the Starboard down. No issues when a good amount of weight is on top of the starboard.

When we have someone considering Starboard with our tanks, I share all of the above experiences. I do my best to talk them out of the decision. By doing this I have found that those that decide to do the Starboard are ready for the challenge and don't have the issues outlined above.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the info Joe!

 

[Myghty]

for more details. Below is a reply from a different thread. Thanks so much @Fish Fan

We decided to use Starboard. Starboard is version of HDPE. So much of the HDPE is imported from around the world and primarily from China. The Starboard we use is manufactured in FL by King Plastics. US sourced raw materials is important to us.

We initially tested sealing the Starboard in the tanks with silicone.

1. So Starboard will expand and contract with extreme temperatures. Well, shipping in the summer was a problem. Tank would leave the studio in perfect condition and show up at its destination expanded and buckled. ouch!
2. Silicone doesn't adhere to Starboard well. Just not going to stand the test of time and below will happen.
3. If, and its high possible that when sealing the starboard in the tank that a spot is missed and its not completely sealed, Danger, Danger, Danger. There will be a completely uncontrollable bio experience happening underneath the Starboard only to make its appearance at a later date. That will be a very very bad day.

We also tested not sealing the starboard. Been doing this method for just over three years now. About 250 plus tanks a year, details below:

1. Starboard is placed on the top of the bottom glass inside the tank.
2. No issues with unwanted things brewing underneath the Starboard
3. We found that using light weight artificial rock could be a problem. If snails are in the tank, they can push their way under the Starboard and then you have a problem. As more snails go beneath the Starboard, the bigger the issue. **** Using live rock is enough weight to hold the Starboard down. No issues when a good amount of weight is on top of the starboard.

When we have someone considering Starboard with our tanks, I share all of the above experiences. I do my best to talk them out of the decision. By doing this I have found that those that decide to do the Starboard are ready for the challenge and don't have the issues outlined above.

Hope this helps.

thanks a lot, so nobody using classic wall ceramic tiles ? mine said ceramic tiles dry press