Substrate question

[mark]

In the rush to set up my new tank did it BB (bare glass) and in my opinion and for my tank it looks the sh*ts. If going BB suggesting to go either faux sand or starboard type stuff. Also don't forget by going BB can't get that neat shrimp/gobie pair.

My plan was alway to place in a 1" sugar size bed and have a remote DSB in the sump or refuge and this is still in the works.

On my first tank did similar to what your suggesting, eggcrate platforms for the rock and back fill with sand. Seemed to work well and considering the DSB was in the display, it saved me from burying 4-5" of rock.

[Aquattro]

I set up my 75 as a BB and I love it. I took a bit to get used to, but after you get some coralline growing and fill the tank in a bit, it looks fine. The amount of crud I am able to siphon off the bottom glass weekly is enough to convince me to never use a sand bed again.

[Beverly]

I fully agree with everything Brad said. Took some getting used to, but siphon out so much crud weekly, that I could not go back to having all that crud accumulate in my tanks indefinitely.

[mr_alberta]

I actually like the ultra clean look of rock on glass. I used to have starboard in my previous tank but found that I would get crud stuck between the bottom of the starboard and the glass.

I do recommend starboad though (especially white). It makes the tank so much brighter. Also, a lot of people still think its sand. I've had a few reefers ask me how I keep my sand so flat before!

[Bartman]

Where's a good place to look at starboard? Does Home Depot or Rona carry it?

[mr_alberta]

How large of a piece are you looking for? Most plastics shops sell it (called HDPE - High Density PolyEthylene). Its exactly the same thing as plastic cutting board.

[Beverly]

Originally Posted by mr_alberta

I used to have starboard in my previous tank but found that I would get crud stuck between the bottom of the starboard and the glass.

To prevent crud from getting under the starboard, is there some way to seal the edges of the starboard to the sides of the tank?

[DanG]

I'm pretty sure you'd be able to silicone it to the sides, it may just take a slightly wider bead to fill the gap.

[witweew]

yea, for workout music, you basically need hard-hitting euro-dance music.... nothing else does the job

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[bv_reefer]

hi noticed this thread about BB tanks, i just took my sand out and personally like the look so far, as for siphoning without taking sand out, nope, a bit will get lost every water change. so far 3 weeks and getting nice little dots of coralline all over the place. however you gotta consider what fish you'll have, alot of wrasses prefer/need sand to hide/sleep in at night, so something to consider. however maintenance wise i'm finding it ALOT easier you can clean all around the rocks, silicone, crevices, etc. good luck on the tank build