[golfish]

I made a mistake when I setup my new tank in Jan. I added about 50-75 pounds of sand just to cover the bottom. It wasn't enough sand to help keep the rock off the glass so it was putting stress on the bottom panel. It did do a good job trapping detritus though. I couldn't believe how dirty the tank was when I took everything out today.

I've seen a few tanks with starboard. I didn't like the idea at first but the more I thought about it the more I liked it so I bought a sheet early this week and added some to my tank today when I removed the sand.

Considering all the problems I've been having I don't think it can hurt.

The plan is to buy another SEIO and drop them both to the bottom of the tank blowing out towards the front. The SEIO's along with the 2000+ gph I'm getting from my closed loop should keep all the detritus suspended long enough for my skimmer and or fuge to filter it out. If not I'll just have to add some more flow

BTW, the tanks still a little cloudy from the move so please forgive the picture

[saltjunkie]

what is starboard?

[Reefland]

Mark,

Does it look too "artificial" when viewing it in person? How does this stuff cover with coralling and other life (dusters, etc.)?

[golfish]

Originally Posted by saltjunkie

what is starboard?

Same stuff as the cutting board you would use in a kitchen

Originally Posted by Reefland

Mark,

Does it look too "artificial" when viewing it in person? How does this stuff cover with coralling and other life (dusters, etc.)?

Scott,
It looks like a bare bottom tank except its white. I guess one might think it was a shollow sand bed at first glance. You can get it in a few colors. I'm looking\hoping for it to be covered in zoo's, ricordia, coraline.

[Reefland]

It looks very nice in the picture. I wish when we redid our tank that we would have put something white on the bottom or at least under the tank to help with light reflectivity; it would be very difficult now to get some under the tank.

[Ninong]

I think you are better off without the shallow sand bed if you are trying to boost the water flow and the starboard will act as a cushion in the event any rock accidentally falls. I'm sure it will be completely covered with coralline algae and other marine life in a matter of months.

[Samper]

Looks great Golfish. Willing to bet it'll look even better in about a year once it encrusts with life.

[golfish]

Scott,
I didn't mention it only because it probably wont last too long but the tank is a whole lot brighter because of the bottom reflecting back up.

Ninong,
Yeah, I knew that when I added the tiny bit of sand I would have problems. It was just one big brain fart. This tank is in wall so its not going any where for a long time. I'm a true believer in DSB failing (been there) so I didn't want to go that route in the main tank. Its a lot easier to swap out the sand bed in a fuge then a tank full of sps.

Thanks Sampler.

[Samper]

Someone told me once that a wise man learns from his own mistakes but a genius learns from other peoples mistakes.....have always liked that saying.

[Papa Doug]

Looks good Mark. Nice & clean. Jack up the flow. I just used a sheet of acrylic in mine. All I could find out here in the middle of nowhere.

[Samper]

I like this idea so I found this website.

http://www.thecuttingboardfactory.com/

I shot em an email asking the price for a sheet of 48" X 18"

fairly expensive is what I'm guessing.

[golfish]

I think his name is Joe at the Cutting board factory. The piece I needed (25x47) was going to cost me 70.00+ and 20.00+ for shipping. I could have gotten a 24x47 piece for 48.00+ and 20.00+ for shipping.

I just bought the whole sheet at my local plastic shop for 120.00 and sold the rest.

[Samper]

Awesome, looks great once again.