starboard

[Lilmatty5dimes]

i'm starting a new tank that i want to run barebottom. the question is what is the benefit of starboard. i dont mind the see thru look of the bottom glass. is there something i'm missing? thanks for looking

 

[Downbeach]

i'm starting a new tank that i want to run barebottom. the question is what is the benefit of starboard. i dont mind the see thru look of the bottom glass. is there something i'm missing? thanks for looking

I have used it under my rockwork, so the rocks didn't sit directly on the glass. I know some folks who used it to completely cover their bottom so you couldn't see through it, into the equipment area. In time your bottom would probably be covered with coraline anyway. I've seen some tanks that were covered with GSP and others that were covered with Ricordia Mushroom. So, sooner or later you wouldn't be able to see anything below the tank anyway.

 

[Clay4AU]

a can of textured sand color paint on the outside of the bottom would give a more natural look until you have coverage.

 

[Lilmatty5dimes]

ok thanks you two.

 

[Pappy]

I painted the underneath black and it looks cool but there was a recent build where someone did white and it looks sick!

 

[Lilmatty5dimes]

What kind if paint did you use?

 

[LVE]

If you decide not to do starboard, I've seen some people use a textured paint by krylon that is supposed to look like sand, could look nice.

 

[Lilmatty5dimes]

well, you were reading my mine. some ppl told me to paint the bottom so got some spray paint and epoxy when i went out today. here it is
before

after

 

[Paul C.]

I was under the impression that Starboard was used to protect the glass from falling rock as well as helping keep the rock from "sliding" on the bare bottom..

 

[stunreefer Verified Sponsor]

Starboard is generally used to prevent rocks from falling and breaking the bottom pane. If your rocks are stable you should be fine. I just paint the bottom (and back) of my aquariums black. I use latex paint, literally pour it on and use a sponge brush to push it around and smooth out.