same lousy looking tank with a starboard twist

[golfish]

I made a mistake when I setup my new tank in Jan. I added about 50-75 pounds of sand just to cover the bottom. It wasn't enough sand to help keep the rock off the glass so it was putting stress on the bottom panel. It did do a good job trapping detritus though. I couldn't believe how dirty the tank was when I took everything out today.
I've seen a few tanks with starboard. I didn't like the idea at first but the more I thought about it the more I liked it so I bought a sheet early this week and added some to my tank today when I removed the sand.
Considering all the problems I've been having I don't think it can hurt.
The plan is to buy another SEIO and drop them both to the bottom of the tank blowing out towards the front. The SEIO's along with the 2000+ gph I'm getting from my closed loop should keep all the detritus suspended long enough for my skimmer and or fuge to filter it out. If not I'll just have to add some more flow
BTW, the tanks still a little cloudy from the move so please forgive the picture.

 

[lionfish12]

 

[beth]

Looking good, Mark. I just got my 2 SEIOs this week. I'm going to set them up this weekend.
Oh, and BTW, Hurricane Charle made me finally run out and get a gen.

 

[attml]

Mark,
The tank looks good! Not to sound like a newb but what is Starboard and what is a SEIO? Thanks!!
Mark

 

[golfish]

Lionfish,
Thanks for the smiley face. I'm not too happy with this tank right now but thanks anyway. I posted this just so other memebers could see it as an alternative.
Beth,
I'm not having very good luck with the SEIO I'm using right now. This sucker freezes up on me twice a month. I'm hoping its just my luck and I got a bad one. I really like these pumps and the flowthrow they put out is really sweet.
Mark,
The SEIO is a powerhead type pump that's kind of like the Tunze stream pumps. It puts out lots of gph but in a wider throw.
Starboard is the same stuff your wifemom uses in the kitchen as a cutting borad.

 

[beth]

Yeah, I had to bite my lips to buy this pump considering it is made by the same company as the RIO. Nothing beats MJs for reliability. They are the Everyready bunny of the PH trade.
Do you want to explain the use of the starboard a bit?

 

[bot587]

Beautiful tank, dont play it down...

 

[golfish]

Originally posted by Beth
Do you want to explain the use of the starboard a bit?
Sure, its just cutting board. The only thing its for is to protect the bottom glass panel. I never felt comfortable having the rock sitting on the glass. I had to take down the tank anyway so I figure I might as well use it. This stuff is real easy to cut and can be bought at your local plastic shop. I paid 120.00 for a 1/2" sheet that's 49.5" x 99.5" ...You can get it in a few colors. I wanted white so I can see the detritus build up (if any) and adjust my pumps.
Your right about the MJ's, those suckers never die.

 

[birdy]

I have had my SEIO for a couple of months now and I haven't had anytrouble with it at all, in fact I need to clean the impellar, but it starts back up with no problems. I think I am going to get another one also for some flow between the rock.
I am going to be moving my tank to the basement sometime in the next year (we are finishing my basment complete with a nice sized fish room) and I will probably remove my DSB and go with starboard (maybe put zoo's on the starboard) I am not thrilled with the DSB and the flow I would like to have for my sps.
Hope things start to look better for your tank Mark.

 

[beth]

How is it possible to put a sheet of wood in the tank.

 

[marvida]

Starboard is a brand name for the plastic material that is not only used for cutting boards but is used extensively in boat building. The white plastic swim platforms, deck hatches etc. are made of this material. Around 1990 we stopped using teak and switched to this stuff because it requires little maintainence. It's very versatile, can be cut & machined using any woodworking tools. It's really neat stuff. Since I built boats in a former life, I use it for everything.

 

[beth]

So in order to prevent debris from seeping into the cracks around it in a tank you use silcone or something to seal it off?

 

[golfish]

Originally posted by Beth
So in order to prevent debris from seeping into the cracks around it in a tank you use silcone or something to seal it off?
naw, no need for that. Like MarVida has said, this stuff is real easy to work with so you just make it a tight fit.

 

[reefer44]

yea i have heard some bad things about seio's....but i think thier just like rio's and require alot of maintanance
Brad

 

[golfish]

Originally posted by reefer44
yea i have heard some bad things about seio's....
Brad
Brad, What else have you heard? I thought I was the only one lucky enough to get a bad one

 

[reefer44]

i have heard they have the same basic failure as the rio's...especially if on a wave maker......flow is majorly decreased over time...and after a while i heard it makes a horrible vibrating noice.......
but, i trust a rio in running one of my protien skimmers and one running my chiller.....i do a good clean in vinegar every week (sometimes two weeks intervals) and then i run in tab water for a half hour.......i have not had it fail on me.....so with just some work on your part they work great
although if you want to spare the money i would highly recomend tunze......they just blow me away......sps just love them....also the multicontroller has insane versibality
Brad

 

[beth]

Man, deadicated hobbyists cleaning up those pumps. I basically run mine until they have beards of algae as long as Stanta Clause's wiskers!

 

[golfish]

I know it will be short lived but look at how the light reflects back up from the starboard.

 

[beth]

Mark, that is a nice looking tank. Makes me want to get a new tank myself! Looks like you have a hippo in there.
I don't mean to hyjack your thread but I'm in the middle of installing the SEIOs and need fast input. Using the striped down version there doesn't appear to be a "cover" for the SEIO. Is that right?

 

[golfish]

Originally posted by Beth
Using the striped down version there doesn't appear to be a "cover" for the SEIO. Is that right?
No, there's a cover that screws on..........