HDPE interior bottoms with Silicon sealant - any issues with detritus getting wedged in

danreef55

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 9, 2023
Messages
1,086
Reaction score
2,386
Location
New York
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hi all,
I would greatly appreciate anyone sharing their experience with starboard bottoms.
There is a concern that the silicon could lift in spots allowing detritus to get under the board.
I am not concerned about siphoning those areas but I am concerned that it could travel further under the board making siphoning ineffective. This could cause an increase in nitrate. Also wonder if this could create an anerobic zone?

thanks all
Dan
 

BeanAnimal

5000 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 16, 2009
Messages
5,071
Reaction score
8,108
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Be aware that "Starboard" will expand (or contract) 1/32 of an inch per foot over a 40 degree temperature change. You don't want a tight fit, even if you do fabricate at or near the operating temperature of the aquarium.

I am not sure that I would seal it in place at all, but rather just set it in with a 1/2 or so gap round the perimeter. What is your reason for using it, protection of a bare bottom or aesthetics?
 
OP
OP
danreef55

danreef55

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 9, 2023
Messages
1,086
Reaction score
2,386
Location
New York
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Thanks Bean Animal. Appreciate the words of caution. I will be running a bare bottom. I am not that worried about glass protection as the four aquascape structure have bases secured to foundation rocks which are perfectly level. The other consideration is aesthetics. Eventually it will all be covered in coralline anyway so why would I do it:(
 

BeanAnimal

5000 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 16, 2009
Messages
5,071
Reaction score
8,108
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Thanks Bean Animal. Appreciate the words of caution. I will be running a bare bottom. I am not that worried about glass protection as the four aquascape structure have bases secured to foundation rocks which are perfectly level. The other consideration is aesthetics. Eventually it will all be covered in coralline anyway so why would I do it:(
I think protection is not a bad idea at all for bare bottom. Setting it in place, or using a few dabs of silicone should suffice. Even if it does have low or no flow under, I don't think it will be a problem
 

exnisstech

Grumpy old man
View Badges
Joined
Feb 11, 2019
Messages
10,593
Reaction score
15,225
Location
Ashland Ohio
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Eventually it will all be covered in coralline anyway so why would I do it:(
This was my thought when I switched to barebottom. Running three tanks bare bottom now. While the starboard does provide protection I'm not sure how necessary it is. I've dropped some pretty big rocks with no damage to the glass
 
Back
Top