Bare bottom options

[ECFENCING]

For those who have gone bare bottom what is the gap you leave in your tank and how thick?

I was planning on leaving 1/16" or 1/8" gap and using 1/2" thick board although you could probably get away with 1/4" thick.

As far as cutting to make space for the overflow (as I don't have any power tools) is this something I can have these companies cut for?

Additionally where is the preferred place to order?

I think cuttingboardcompany.com looks good or perhaps US Plastics. Thinking of using white.

Thanks in advance

 

[E.intheC]

E, just leave enough space so the board doesn't rest on the silicone. Make sure you measure from the inside glass.

It's pretty easy to cut. Even a simple wood saw will do the trick. I have cut my boards many times.

Take a look at the blue starboard. I have it on mine and it does help the colors pop and blends in better than the white board.

Cuttingboardcompany is probably the best place to order from

 

[MikeC]

E, just leave enough space so the board doesn't rest on the silicone. Make sure you measure from the inside glass.

It's pretty easy to cut. Even a simple wood saw will do the trick. I have cut my boards many times.

Take a look at the blue starboard. I have it on mine and it does help the colors pop and blends in better than the white board.

Cuttingboardcompany is probably the best place to order from

+1
I went with 3/4 inch and IMOP wouldn't go with less also I left a inch around all sides so I can get a siphon hoes in there all the way around to suck out detritus.

 

[E.intheC]

For a tank your size Ernie, 1/2 inch will be plenty man

 

[ECFENCING]

thanks guys! I have a wood saw even have a saw for cutting pvc which would probably work better.

Thanks for the tips.

 

[Josh]

Why do you need a board on the bottom?

 

[ECFENCING]

As protection for the bottom glass from a piece of rock falling, as reflection if you are using a white board and for just plain decorative purposes.

 

[lnevo]

Why do you need a board on the bottom?

The theory is also to create a channel for detritus to collect so it can be easily siphoned and removed.

 

[ECFENCING]

The theory is also to create a channel for detritus to collect so it can be easily siphoned and removed.

True and probably the best reason

 

[E.intheC]

Meah.. I just think it looks better with starboard .

The detritus settles in one spot in my tank. It's easy to siphon out.

 

[ECFENCING]

I just received my bottom board from cuttingboardcompany.com and they did a fantastic job cutting it to spec but I have a question:

The tank has a bottom brace around the perimeter. Issue is that I had them cut the starboard so that it would fit over the bottom brace/ledge and now I'm wondering if I should have actually just had them cut it so it would fit inside the ledge resting on the bottom of the tank.

Picture of bottom

Bottom pic #2

Picture of cutting board

So my question is would you cut the board so it lays flat on the bottom pane or would you leave it the way it is and have the board resting on the ledge?

 

[thirty6]

I'm not sure I understand and cant really tell from pic. The main concern i would think would be cutting into the silicone. I didnt use on my bb and I'm not sure im keeping it bb, I like everything about it especially cleaning tank but my friend has a cube similar to mine and the white sand looks tremendous

 

[ECFENCING]

the black ledge around the perimeter is a bottom brace on the inside of the tank. I had it cut so that it would fit over that ledge. Issue is that the center of the cutting board will not be flush with the bottom pane since the bottom brace raises it about 1/4" and am thinking this will create uneven pressure.

 

[thirty6]

I understand and agree with you. Can you cut around that center pc or make a cut to avoid this? I think the board is easy to cut

 

[ECFENCING]

I can cut it so that it fits perfectly inside the ledge but don't have any tools other than a wood saw so my cut won't be exactly straight. Could have saved some $'s if I just had them cut for the inside square...

I don't think it will bow since the board is 1/2" thick but it's probably best to avoid having the board sit on the ledge and not create any uneven pressure points.

 

[ECFENCING]

See this thread

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1928659

But same tank (different user):

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2141081

 

[ECFENCING]

Ok thanks to jgross on Reefcentral the solution is obvious. The inner area inside the brace needs to be supported so I can keep the piece I have but just support it underneath

Where can I find hdpe locally or can I just get a 1/4" thick piece of plexi @home depot or lowes?

 

[E.intheC]

That's a good idea Ernie. I'm sure you can get acrylic at lowes or Home Depot.

 

[ECFENCING]

Thanks Eric.... maybe acrylic or egg crate at Lowes or Home Depot.

 

[E.intheC]

Another order from cuttingboardcomoany? 1/4 inch starboard would work