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

[Ixthys]

One piece of wax paper is not wide enough to cover the tank bottom, so you have to tape several together. I figured I couldn't put the tape in contact with the epoxy (or else it would stick to it) so I either flipped it over, or used double-sided tape.

The problem with this is that the epoxy manages to get in-between ANY tiny gap or where the wax paper overlaps in the tiniest bit. Once the wax gets trapped, that's it--it's stuck. The wax paper will kind of peel off, but not very easily.

Now that's not the end of the world, b/c I find it hard to believe that wax paper in our tanks would do anything...BUT, I guarantee it will leak out of the wax paper and contact whatever is below the epoxy...and stick to it.

 

[King-Kong]

I used duct tape to contain my epoxy; peeled off perfectly.

 

[dirtyreefer]

For everyone worried about coralline algae covering the bottom of their tanks, I have one word to cure this: Vodka.

A carbon source like vodka reduces coralline growth. Trust me on that one, I am dosing a product called "System Reef-Resh" by Polyp Labs which contains a carbon source as part of the dosing regimen. No coralline growth which is nice. I also had the same effects when I dosed vodka previously to using Reef Resh.

If you do decide to use a carbon source, make sure to start out SLOWLY. This works wonders for water clarity, skimmate production, and reduced coralline growth!

 

[jman77]

This is cool....time to get some wax paper and epoxy

 

[Avast Marine]

This would make some killer frag plugs. A little sand in a paper cup, some resin, a popsicle stick, and it's lolipop sps for the kiddies.

 

[Pez Vela]

I am going to use this method on my new 150G. I also like the idea of making the bottom separate from the glass and pouring the epoxy outside the aquarium. I was thinking of doing it in two pieces using a form (starboard, or other). Maybe a styrofoam mold which could be easily "melted" off the epoxy/sand mixture with a shrink wrap dryer, leaving nothing but the finished faux sandbed in the shapes I create. I too have always dosed Vodka and have not had a coraline algae problem at all. One thing for sure is my mated Golden Headed Sleepers are currently browsing the "tank for rent" section of the local reef paper.... hehehe

 

[dirtyreefer]

I just completed my faux sandbed using starboard. They say nothing aheres to starboard, however this envirotex stuff holds the sand on just fine and would take a hammer and chiesel to get it off.

I'll post pics later...

 

[King-Kong]

yeah -- I found the envirotex held on strong to my cutting board as well.

 

[wuelfman]

yes some more pictures would be great !!!!!

 

[alex656]

That looks great. Sucks about the other tank though.

 

[alex656]

That looks great. Sucks about the other tank though.

 

[alex656]

That looks great. Sucks about the other tank though.

 

[alex656]

That looks great. Sucks about the other tank though.

 

[Biggie]

Well 23 pages I went thru to hear only one fatality of a cracked 240. With that said the law of ratios comes to mind and the positives seem to greatly out weigh the negatives given others posted expierences.

My plan is to do my 300 gal acrylic. Im taking a slightly differnt approach. .
I plan to precut some acrylic sheets to fit the shap of my bottom.
Then I will take those precut sheets to a glass shop and have them copy cut me 2 sections the same shape (possibly 3 for ease of lifting).
Then I will build a 1 x 1 wood frame around those pieces of glass and covering that with duct tape. Then I will create my epoxy mix pour and hope for the best.
I think this should allow me to completely remove the sub-structure and have panels that look like deep sand.
I also have 5 holes to maneuver around for my closed loop system. Using a diamond hole saw to cut these out in the glass templates first will allow me to insert pvc wrapped in duct tape to
hopefully be removed later. This is all in theory of course reality may be I have to continue to give the PVC a tweist to keep it free for removale every hour or so.

I havent worked with this stuff before so Im specualting everything by what Ive read by other. Im plannning of taking alot of pic so I can share what happens.
If I missed anything here or someone imput please feel free to chime in.

 

[reeferNo99]

hi guys..
I am planning to do this as well..
But the sand i have is in my other tank..
Just the sand need to 100% dry before i can use it
Thax

 

[Biggie]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8465060#post8465060 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reeferNo99
hi guys..
I am planning to do this as well..
But the sand i have is in my other tank..
Just the sand need to 100% dry before i can use it
Thax

Reading earlier post suggest it needs tobe 100% dry or it will come out lookikng very cloudy and milky in color.

 

[Ixthys]

You're correct.

Plus, it's best not to have "dust" in your sand. Once this mixes with the epoxy, it turns mud colored as well.

I thoroughly rinsed the substrate I used, and then dried it completely.

 

[Biggie]

Im in a build right now with a 300 gal Acrylic and Im intrigued by this enough to have subscribed to this thread. Probably like many others Im leary to glue stuff down to the bottom
I posted my theory on how I might go about doing mine as tiled sections without a starboard underlay. Im hoping someone will thow up some input on this before I invest in alot of time and effort.

 

[kamla]

o.k. Faux sand bed experts.. i am going try this out on my new nano..
5.5 gal
i have the HD freemond stuff...

Now how much sand and how expocy do i need..
Please

Thax

 

[petedoc]

Has anyone tried pond foam with sand for a BB tank bottom?