Question about ordering starboard

[guilford]

I'm looking at ordering starboard for the new tank I am setting up. The tank has a rounded internal overflow, and I was wondering if there is any place online where I can order the starboard and send them a template of the bottom of the tank, including the overflow, and have them custom cut it for me. I've called around locally and no one here sells starboard, so I'm not sure what to do about getting it cut to the size of my tank, including cut around the rounded overflow.

Thanks,
Brad

[MedicMike]

How Bout a Jigsaw?

[guilford]

OK, so most people just use a jigsaw to cut starboard? I can certainly do that if that's all it takes. How clean is the edge after the cut? Can you sand it or something to get a smooth edge?

[redwinger]

Yep you can sand the edges to smooth them out. I cut my HDPE with a jigsaw and it worked well.

[ndreefer1]

Id be sure to call up all the local plastics places before ordering online. I saved quite a bit getting some locally, and they cut it for me for free.

HDPE is the same stuff milk jugs are made out of, its very soft and easy to cut. Just go slow and watch for melting/overheating...

Starboard is a trade name for UV stabilized HDPE, with a texture on one side. Pure HDPE sheet is cheaper, easier to find, and is by itself extremely resistant to salt and UV.

Hope this helps. If youre going to be in south bend, IN anytime soon Ill give you the name of the place I got mine.

- Bob

[panic]

have the piece cut to the finished rectangle at the plastics dealer, then make a cutout pattern from some cardboard for the overflow. I cut the starboard a little bigger (1/4") than the pattern to give the detrius a little trough to fall in, making siphoning easier.

[Wiskey]

I used a skill saw to cut mine, and I cut it at a 45 because I think it is a cleaner look, I then sanded it. For my next tank I will use a table saw to cut it for a cleaner cut.

Whiskey

[xtopher]

Could you please send me a pic of the HDPE? Is it still white like starboard?

Originally Posted by ndreefer1

Id be sure to call up all the local plastics places before ordering online. I saved quite a bit getting some locally, and they cut it for me for free.

HDPE is the same stuff milk jugs are made out of, its very soft and easy to cut. Just go slow and watch for melting/overheating...

Starboard is a trade name for UV stabilized HDPE, with a texture on one side. Pure HDPE sheet is cheaper, easier to find, and is by itself extremely resistant to salt and UV.

Hope this helps. If youre going to be in south bend, IN anytime soon Ill give you the name of the place I got mine.

- Bob

[Leonardo's Reef]

HDPE is exactly the same as "starboard". White starboard can also be called "HDPE natural color".

-Leonardo

[xtopher]

thanks that's cool, I'll have to look into that at my local plastic shop