So what is a DB?
A DB is an abbreviated term meaning Dickhead Bucket
Simply it's a device or place where unwanted or useless aquarium purchases end up. Anywhere that we end up storing items that we no longer use, or have never used is a DB.
This first article will concentrate on the common DB. A second article is being researched at the moment and will cover the findings into the DBW (DB wide) A DBW has sufficient room for large items. Even those locally made skimmers that just don't perform as advertised or live up to their reputation for example.

Who has a DB?
Almost everyone will have some area set aside as a DB. Mine for example used to be a nice plywood box that a skimmer came in. I didn't want to throw the box away as it was such a good piece of workmanship. Better I might add than the skimmer that came in it. In hindsight I have received more use from the plywood box than I ever did the skimmer, so not all has been lost on that particular purchase. Anyway I did say the box used to be my DB. I have recently upgraded to a much larger DB with shelves and which sits nicely along side my aquarium. I don't expect everyone will have as large a DB as me but I'm a real sucker for those adds about the latest miracle device or additive. Or maybe you do? Come on be honest…

Occupants of the DB.
A recent survey on Fishy Frolics Forum showed a surprising incident of finding common items in a great number of DB's. One might even suggest from the findings that some aquarium items are being manufactured solely for the storage in the DB.
Items found cover almost the whole range of products manufactured for the Aquarium market. Some pumps, spare parts for pumps, some skimmers, nets for catching fish in reef tank, additives, test kits, foods, spare airline tubes for the airpump that's also in there, PVC tube left over from the install of some pump or other, algae magnets that were never quite strong enough, old light globes, Books that encouraged the purchase of some of the DB items in the first place, in fact as I said just about everything can be found in a DB.
Some items have been found to move from one DB to another. These items tend to be the more expensive things that can be advertised for sale or used to help out someone you know who thinks he/she needs that item. It might even get used again for a short while, but sooner or later tends to find its way back into a DB in its new home.

Can a DB be avoided?
In my opinion, NO. The best you can hope for is ending up with only a small DB that contains the less expensive DB items, but don't despair! Your DB will quickly become an honoured thing, something you can look back on and share with your saltwater friends. So if you do make a mistake and buy or try something that just didn't work, place it in your DB for future reference. Just be warned if it ever becomes a DBW you will probably have a very treacherous and poisonous suppository in your house and mind.