How thick should the starboard be under my aquascape?

mandarin417 · Feb 7, 2022

1/4" or 1/2"?

Midrats · Feb 7, 2022

Why use it at all?

crvz · Feb 7, 2022

I think either can work, but the question's a good one; why are you using it? I've used it in the past, but I think it's just as easy to put stuff directly on the glass.

mandarin417 · Feb 7, 2022

I like the cushioning that the HDPE sheet provides between the glass and the pointy rocks.

polyppal · Feb 7, 2022

If your just using it for the inside of a bare bottom, 1/4 (or even less) is fine

Midrats · Feb 7, 2022

Been putting rock directly on glass since 1987, I've never seen nor heard of a tank breaking. If you want a piece of cutting board in your tank go for it, it's just completely unnecessary.

mandarin417 · Feb 7, 2022

Midrats said:
Been putting rock directly on glass since 1987, I've never seen nor heard of a tank breaking. If you want a piece of cutting board in your tank go for it, it's just completely unnecessary.

Just makes me feel better.

KarlsReef · Feb 7, 2022

I would have thought it prevents sand bed turnover, am I wrong?

landlubber · Feb 7, 2022

the potential to trap detritus in a place that can't be cleaned should be seriously considered.

mandarin417 · Feb 7, 2022

KarlsReef said:
I would have thought it prevents sand bed turnover, am I wrong?

It shouldn't prevent turnover. It's just another flat surface like the glass is.

KarlsReef · Feb 7, 2022

mandarin417 said:
It shouldn't prevent turnover. It's just another flat surface like the glass

So it's not and egg crate like material? What about things being trapped around the edges? For me I would still say it's a risk. I'd always say rock onto glass just make sure it's stable, our glass can take it.

mandarin417 · Feb 7, 2022

KarlsReef said:
So it's not and egg crate like material? What about things being trapped around the edges? For me I would still say it's a risk. I'd always say rock onto glass just make sure it's stable, our glass can take it.

Siliconed in place around the edges, shouldn't be a trapper.

Eagle_Steve · Feb 7, 2022

mandarin417 said:
Siliconed in place around the edges, shouldn't be a trapper.

I used 1/16" in my 180 as I was orignally going to go bare bottom. I siliconed around the edges and no issues with anything, even after adding 2" sand. Just let silicone cure properly and then stock the tank.

KarlsReef · Feb 7, 2022

mandarin417 said:
Siliconed in place around the edges, shouldn't be a trapper.

Fair enough then, if that's what you wanna do either thickness would be fine I'm sure. My personal option wouldn't be that, but that's me. I'm sure it'll be good for you.

CNDReef · Feb 7, 2022

I have 1/2” on my tank and most of the silicone let go already in 2 years. When I push down on some spots I can see the gas coming up

BillFish Coral Lover · Feb 7, 2022

I just bought my custom 75 from Crystal Dynamics and had 1/2" installed between the 1/2" bottom bracing that is standard on their tanks. I knew it wasn't necessary but I expect to have to move more than I would like from time to time and that was a lot less expensive than getting a 3/4" glass bottom.

I thought the cutting board crack was good, though. It's made of HDPE (High Density Polyethylene), the same stuff many buckets are made from, and the plastic cutting boards you see.