Idea for Faux sand bed. Envirotex Lite high gloss finish.

[Old Yeller Tang]

Well, I guess these are safe products to use then.

 

[rscdragon]

I have been following this thread from the begining and it is great. I am getting ready to do this to my new 75 this weekend. I am going to use it on starboard. My question is ,and I can't seem to find the answer, what is the ratio of Envirotex to sand. Should it be a thick oatmeal consistancy?

Thanks
rob

 

[suver569]

I have been following this thread from the beging it it is great. I am getting read to do this this weekend on my 75. I am going to do thid on starboard. My question is and I can't seem to find the answer, what is the ratio of Envirotex to sand. Should it be a thick oatmeal consistancy?

Thanks
rob

I couldnt really find it either, so I took a shot in the dark. I went with an oatmeal consistancy. What I wish I would have done, is mixed up, say, 2/3 of the epoxy/sand and left the othe 1/3 to pour over the top to smooth it out. I suppose you could do it after the fact, or go buy some more. That was my experience. The bed is a little rough for me.

 

[rscdragon]

Thanks suver569, I don't mind it being rough as long as it is not to the point that it will collect the crap we are trying to eliminate.

 

[suver569]

Thanks suver569, I don't mind it being rough as long as it is not to the point that it will collect the crap we are trying to eliminate.

Ahh, I dont think mine is to that point. One thing I was a little concerned about was my critters bumping into the solid rough bottom, and/or snails/hermits having a rough solid surface they have to crawl on. If it was smoothed a little more, it might be a little easier on them.

 

[Lebowski_]

Whats the difference between using this and just sand? I dont undestand why someone would want thier sand "glued" down?

--Dan

 

[Lebowski_]

Double post:bum:

--Dan

 

[suver569]

Whats the difference between using this and just sand? I dont undestand why someone would want thier sand "glued" down?

--Dan

Mainly, you get the look of the sandbed, but not the potentially dangerous effects of trapping crap in the sand bed. It's basically a bare bottom tank in effect, but has the look of a sand bed.

 

[acropora1981]

went out and bought my envirotex from Michaels (39.99 Canadian at Michaels!!!! YIKES!) I'm going to do a little test batch in bowl tonight or tomorrow, and then do my 75 on monday. I hope I have enough sand, but I dont think I do. I'm going to do a very shallow bed, I only have about 30 lbs of sand...not sure its gonna cover it. ?

 

[Lebowski_]

Oh, thats cool! Was just curious

--Dan

 

[suver569]

went out and bought my envirotex from Michaels (39.99 Canadian at Michaels!!!! YIKES!) I'm going to do a little test batch in bowl tonight or tomorrow, and then do my 75 on monday. I hope I have enough sand, but I dont think I do. I'm going to do a very shallow bed, I only have about 30 lbs of sand...not sure its gonna cover it. ?

Do a mock up first. Dump the sand in dry, and get the coverage you want. That way, you can hold off if you have to until you get some more sand. Also, I noticed a little bit of shrinkage (or it compacted, not sure). Basically, I poured it in dry, and it seemed to compress a bit wet. Just FYI

 

[acropora1981]

thanks, I'll do just that!

 

[Bryan]

Use the sand bed calculator on RC. Should give you a good idea if you have enough sand.

I hope I have enough sand, but I dont think I do. I'm going to do a very shallow bed, I only have about 30 lbs of sand...not sure its gonna cover it. ?

 

[joeychitwood]

I still haven't read any comments from longer term epoxy users about how the faux sand bed looks over time. Coralline algae? Clean or dirty? What's the verdict?

 

[asnatlas]

I still haven't read any comments from longer term epoxy users about how the faux sand bed looks over time. Coralline algae? Clean or dirty? What's the verdict?

Same, I am very interested in doing this and would like to hear more about long term results ??? I may test this out on my 20l FW tank...

Shawn

 

[suver569]

I believe there was a few posts about long term info. Corraline was growing on the bed as expected.

 

[Old Yeller Tang]

I believe there was a few posts about long term info. Corraline was growing on the bed as expected.

Well that puts a damper on things!

 

[joeychitwood]

I believe there was a few posts about long term info. Corraline was growing on the bed as expected.

Has anyone posted any photos? I'm interested in how the bottoms look. I still think this is an intriguing idea.

 

[luckycat]

Has anyone posted any photos? I'm interested in how the bottoms look. I still think this is an intriguing idea.

Yep look at prior posts on this thread by some with longer term experience with a faux bed. Some have said changing the water chemistry can reduce coraline algae growth, cannot recall and in my case don't care, I'll have a faux bed that will over time get corraline on it. I'm making mine easy to remove on starboard in case I don't like the look in a few years, but likely it'll be fine with me.

 

[acropora1981]

Did my custom 75g last night, here's some pics!


sand dried and envirotex mixed up:

mixing up the sand

24 hours later:

Im pretty happy about how it tured out! looks really natural. thanks for the help!