Can I go Bare-Bottom with sand "glued" to bottom pane?

[jefathome]

I am setting up a new "rebuilt" tank and before I had a deep sand bed, but I found that I couldn't get the flow I wanted without a sand storm. The only problem is that I hate the look of a bare bottom tank!!

has anyone put Epoxy on the bottom and then coated it with sand?
ie it looks like a sand bed, but it won't blow around or collect detritus.

With this new tank I can do a remote DSB... but in the main tank I want an MP40 placed about 1/4 of the way off the bottom so that there is enough flow to keep detritus suspended in the water column.

Any disadvantages you can think of?

 

[rc1626]

Interesting question.......tagging along.

 

[Leonardo_]

This has been done, more info can be found using the keywords "Faux Sandbed" You already mentioned some benefits, disadvantages can be the growth of algae or coralline algae on the sandbed that can't removed. On the long term it won't stay white.

Leonardo

 

[Thairun]

This has been done, more info can be found using the keywords "Faux Sandbed" You already mentioned some benefits, disadvantages can be the growth of algae or coralline algae on the sandbed that can't removed. On the long term it won't stay white.

Leonardo

+1
Due time they will warp and peel off.

 

[reefrick.M]

I glued sand to my starboard. I used pvc glue and added sand to it. Still looks good although it's covered somewhat by Zoa's,Ricordia and encrusting Monti's.

 

[blindsider]

I read a thread not too long ago where the guy had a cement removable sand bed. it was pretty neat, but i bet it will be a pain to deal with later on with algae...

 

[mark54321]

glued sand to my starboard. I used pvc glue and added sand to it. Still looks good although it's covered somewhat by Zoa's,Ricordia and encrusting Monti's.
Can you post a picture ?

 

[mark54321]

I glued sand to my starboard. I used pvc glue and added sand to it. Still looks good although it's covered somewhat by Zoa's,Ricordia and encrusting Monti's.

sorry for previous post still learning. Can you post a picture how it looks in your tank?

 

[Esabasard]

I went with black starboard in mine and it is now almost completely covered in coralline and it has only been set up for 6 months. The idea is cool, but it seems like a lot of extra work for something that will naturally get covered anyway.

 

[jefathome]

Good point....

Leonardo, I believe that I saw in some other threads that you had a "foam wall" in your tank. I was already planning on doing the same, so maybe I'll have half the tank with a "rock" bottom (the side closest to the MP40) and then an area on the far side that has an actual sand bed.

 

[Esabasard]

That sounds very cool.

 

[grav1]

Here is a photo of mine when it was first set up. As Thairun stated it will start to warp and lift in time. But mine has servered me well for nearly 2 years.

Here is is a couple of months ago.

 

[Thairun]

Nice tank dude.
Qtn, do you glued sand on the any starboard or directly at the panel ?
IMHE my starboard edges warps a little bit and causing some thick coralline algae layed on it to chip off. Am puzzle now what had set underneath of the starboard though I had sealed with silicone at the edges three yrs+ back when the tank was set up.

 

[grav1]

Nice tank dude.
Qtn, do you glued sand on the any starboard or directly at the panel ?
IMHE my starboard edges warps a little bit and causing some thick coralline algae layed on it to chip off. Am puzzle now what had set underneath of the starboard though I had sealed with silicone at the edges three yrs+ back when the tank was set up.

I used an pour in epoxy directly to the glass pane, I then covered with sand and removed the excess sand after it had fully cured. Now 2 years down the track the epoxy is starting to lift from the glass.

http://shop.clayprincess.com.au/eshop/product_info.php?products_id=419

 

[Thairun]

You been using the kind of waterproof epoxy varnish. My recommendation why not using water proof epoxy resin for fibreglass boat repair which will last under water for years as what I experienced for my boat hull repair. Now been 5 years never warp and peel off that soak 24/7.
Just my 0.2cts, need to check its toxicity?

 

[grav1]

You been using the kind of waterproof epoxy varnish. My recommendation why not using water proof epoxy resin for fibreglass boat repair which will last under water for years as what I experienced for my boat hull repair. Now been 5 years never warp and peel off that soak 24/7.
Just my 0.2cts, need to check its toxicity?

I used the above epoxy as I did a lot of searching on differant products and this one was used with success by other reefers so that sealed the deal for me.

 

[Leonardo_]

Good point....

Leonardo, I believe that I saw in some other threads that you had a "foam wall" in your tank. I was already planning on doing the same, so maybe I'll have half the tank with a "rock" bottom (the side closest to the MP40) and then an area on the far side that has an actual sand bed.

That wasn't me But your plans sound good, always good to see reefers trying new things

Leonardo