I'm pretty sure you'd be able to silicone it to the sides, it may just take a slightly wider bead to fill the gap.

I get what you mean here but I don't think I'm ready to go BB yet. On the other hand is 1" of substrate just going to become a crud collector? Would a remote DSB help?

A remote DSB won't help with debris in the main just used to help check the nitrates.

Sand in the main can be kept clean by good flow so crud is in suspension and carried to the overflow. Also if running a shallow bed, vacuuming isn't a issue (as opposed to disturbing a DSB).

I have a 75g with 6000gph flow, and I get plenty of crud settling. Good flow will not prevent detritus buildup in the sandbed.

You won't be able to silicone the starboard to the bottom properly from what I've read. Silicone doesn't like plastic much over the long run.

Anyway, another option is just to spraypaint the bottom of the tank white.

idea
 

if you are contemplating on BB or substrate, go BB first. If you still don't like it after a few months, then add substrate. Otherwise its a PITA to do it the other way around.
I concur with the BB supporters - crud is inevitable and I feel that sand just hides it really well. some critters in your live sand will eat some of the crud but you will never have enough critters to sustain an aquarium environment's bio-load.
I can relate to this theory by this scenario - imagine yourself and your entire family being stuck in your house without any methods in which to remove your biological waste but a mysterious hand will continuously put food and water into your house to keep you alive. You are real happy for the most part because there's the big screen TV, computer, workout gym, various boardgames etc. However everyone dreads having to go to the bathroom but when they do, how many critters will be needed to live with you in your house to continuously eat and remove all that biological waste in your house? HOWEVER if that same mysterious hand can come in with a plastic tube and suck out all that biological waste, I think it will be somewhat ........ alright. :cry:

Great story Chin. Is that one you told to Kohan last night via long distance?

BTW, just set up the dual 65g reef systems with a very thin layer of sand (am resigned to vacuuming out crud). (Pics are on BCAquaria since I can't seem to get pics to post here)

Anthony

Are you able to vacuum out crud without sucking the sand out too? I do this with my FW tanks all the time but the substrate is pebbles, not sand.

Chin,

Love your story :biggrin: Especially about the parts about the big screen TV and computer, and all the free food :biggrin:

All kidding aside, though, Chin's story is a pretty good analogy.

:lol: Chin, thats priceless. In all the dsb/bare discussions, thats the best version I have heard. :smile: