BB tanks?

[drunktank]

was thinking about doing anew coral tank BB, anyone still use that starboard material? how well does it work and are there any local places to get it?

 

[ShaunW]

I am happy with my BB tank! If your going SPS I would recommend it. On my tank now you wouldn't even know it was BB since the bottom of the starboard is covered with zoos, acan lords, xenia, and LPS.

I ordered my starboard online.

 

[kimoyo]

drunktank - I have an acrylic tank. I had starboard, took it out and loved the look and how the tank was doing. The amount of stuff that would gather in the corners of the starboard was really annoying to me.

Solbby - care for a bb discussion? Have some questions for you.

 

[drunktank]

what are the pros and cons of using starboard vs. just keepin the rocks elevated off the glass. (if any)

solby where online did u order it?

 

[gil716]

I think one of the main purposes for the starboard is to protect the glass bottom from rock slides. It also adds some friction, but not a whole lot more.

 

[qy7400]

The main reason is to keep the rock off the glass. Most times the rock doesn't sit flat on the glass so it's actually sitting on a point, if a rock shifts or enough pressure hits that point you'll end up with a very wet floor. If you decide BB you'll need something to protect the glass.

 

[nanoreefer22]

The main reason is to keep the rock off the glass. Most times the rock doesn't sit flat on the glass so it's actually sitting on a point, if a rock shifts or enough pressure hits that point you'll end up with a very wet floor. If you decide BB you'll need something to protect the glass.

Don't take the chance just go with the starboard. It's a cheap investment compared to the headache you'd face with a cracked tank.

 

[aaron]

I used 100% polypropelene cutting block i bought on the bowery for about $15 i just couldnt wait for the starboard to be delivered, I wanted to start right away.
Anyway, 6 months later i am very happy with it. Its very easy to keep the tank clean, no more crap stuck in the sand in the back corners, now i just use a powerhead to blow everything into the front corner a siphon it out.

 

[ShaunW]

Solbby - care for a bb discussion? Have some questions for you.

Sure!

Start a new thread in the Advanced Forum.

 

[ShaunW]

what are the pros and cons of using starboard vs. just keepin the rocks elevated off the glass. (if any)

solby where online did u order it?

Here you go:
http://thecuttingboardfactory.com/M...Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=TCBF&Category_Code=4MB

Old MR discussion about BB tanks.
http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum...lothes-not-mandatory.html?highlight=starboard

 

[drunktank]

thanx everyone

 

[kimoyo]

drunktank - you always go with an acrylic tank and not worry about the starboard .

Solbby - you should check out this thread http://www.zeovit.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5364. I saw it while looking at the seachem salt thread going on over there. I'm going to hold off on my questions until I get a chance to read over some of those articles. I scanned over it and already saw two interesting articles on the first page about some of the things I was talking about earlier this week. One paper talked about how phytoplankton degradation in the water column changes the bacteria population and the other one talks about direct competition between micro algae and bacteria.

 

[drunktank]

is 1/4 in thickness good enough?

if and when i get a new tank and purchase starboard, should i place it down and silicone around the edges so that no detrius gets under it?

 

[Deanos]

if and when i get a new tank and purchase starboard, should i place it down and silicone around the edges so that no detrius gets under it?

If I remember correctly :scratch:, this was discussed in the 2nd link Solbby posted.

 

[drunktank]

i stopped reading after it turned into a debate over cooked rocks and stuff- sorry deanos

 

[TimberTDI]

I went with a "fake" sand bed. Basically I cut eggcrate to the tank's footprint. Then I mixed up a bunch of southdown and epoxy, I covered the grid with the mix, let it cure for a few weeks. Presto! Fake sand bed.

Steven

 

[gil716]

is 1/4 in thickness good enough?

if and when i get a new tank and purchase starboard, should i place it down and silicone around the edges so that no detrius gets under it?

1/4" is exactly what I used with no issues. And I believe that the consensus was that silicone wasn't necessary. I did it anyway, but I'm a rebel like that. yeeah. :sgrin:

 

[ShaunW]

Solbby - you should check out this thread http://www.zeovit.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5364. I saw it while looking at the seachem salt thread going on over there. I'm going to hold off on my questions until I get a chance to read over some of those articles. I scanned over it and already saw two interesting articles on the first page about some of the things I was talking about earlier this week. One paper talked about how phytoplankton degradation in the water column changes the bacteria population and the other one talks about direct competition between micro algae and bacteria.

OK, but I have been following Gary's thread for awhile. He has been doing a fantastic job collecting the literature.