Starboard in a bare bottom tank

[KingReefTank]

Hi, recently I saw some bare bottom tanks. They are using a starboard on the bottom of the aquarium. Could any one tell this overseas reefer what a starboard is? From what kind materiaal is it maked of and what is the purpose of using a starboard?
Thanks!

 

[QuixoticReefer]

High-density polyethylene HDPE ... same material that plastic cutting boards and milk cartons are made from... to prevent falling rocks from breaking the bottom of your tank

 

[KingReefTank]

High-density polyethylene HDPE ... same material that plastic cutting boards and milk cartons are made from... to prevent falling rocks from breaking the bottom of your tank

Thnx!!!

 

[Midrats]

It's gets used because of the irrational fear of a rock falling and breaking the tank. In all my decades of reefing I have never heard of a rock slide causing a tank to break.

 

[hart24601]

I used it because can get a white sheet and not only does it look more like sand, but the white reflects light back up into the tank so you get less shading no matter the light used.

 

[Reefin Dude]

HDPE gives a better grip than the glass for the LR. it is still slick, but not as slick as the glass. it can also be slightly shaped for giving depressions for the LR to sit in.

others have used epoxy instead of HDPE. the epoxy can be mixed with sand to make the epoxy go further and gives a somewhat sand look to the bottom. on my last 2 builds i have embedded the bottom coarse of LR in the FSB "faux sand bed" to lock everything in solid.

i have also seen "plateau sand beds". where a table of HDPE/acrylic/epoxy a few inches tall is created in the areas where the LR is going to go and the LR is stacked on that and all of the areas around it have sand. allows easy nutrient removal from the LR. also the sand can be replaced as needed to control nutrients.

G~