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

[mattjk]

I went to the local plastics store today, and they have Pour-On high gloss epoxy. It's the stuff used to make thick glossy coverings on wooden plaques and so forth. Anyhow, talking to the guy there, he said it would stick well to glass and acrylic, and I could mix in a bunch of sand. After I poured the mixture in the bottom of the tank, smooth it out with a stick, I could then lightly sprinkle sand on top. Or, don't mix in any sand and just sprinkle the sand on top.

I bought a small kit, so I may try it on a small tank tonight.

Matt

http://www.eti-usa.com/consum/envtex/envlite.htm

 

[jasonross]

Thats sounds like it might be the next starboard.. keep us posted verry intresting if you get any photos or how it looks let me know.

 

[jasonross]

OH whats the price on that stuff?

 

[mattjk]

dude, your avatar is freaking me out!

the 4oz kit was $6.99. It covers 1sq feet.

1/2 gallon kit covers 16sq feet, and was around $14?

 

[jasonross]

thats pretty cheap well untill they find out reefers are using it..lol sorry about the avatar I have been looking for a new one but nothing I have found is even close...

 

[mattjk]

 

[jasonross]

that last one is cool..

 

[scbauer]

Is that a recorded car accident (the last one)?

-Scott

P.S. - That stuff does look pretty cool... I remember seeing someone do that a while back. Can't find the thread, but he wanted to go bare-bottom so he either used concrete or epoxy and put sand on top. Formed it so it wasn't just flat, and it looked like a nice sand bed that never moved.

 

[mattjk]

WOW, this stuff is awesome!!! I'm am SO happy with the way it turned out. I will post pics later tonight.

I mixed sand into it, and poured in into a small tank, the stuff spread out by itself, very nicely. Then I sprinkled more sand on top until it soaked up all the mixture. Cool thing is, I put it on kinda thick, so the side of the sand bed shows up nicely!

Very cool stuff!

 

[Toutouche]

Jason,
I wouldn't change that avatar if I were you..., it's very neat!!!

Matt,
Anxious to see pics. Now, all you have to do is figure out how to get some other colors such as pinks, greens, browns and blacks down along the side between this stuff and the glass and you'll have an instant mature DSB showing!!!

 

[mattjk]

 

[mattjk]

 

[mattjk]

I had an idea... after the entire thing dries, you can go over it with another coat, that way the surface would be smooth, and les prone to catching detrius.

 

[Toutouche]

Please!!! Tell me that's JUST sand and none of that product!!! It looks perfect!!! Can't even tell it's there!! I hope you aren't going to get nay burrowing wrasses or such..., they're going to have LOTS of headaches!!

 

[mattjk]

Doesn't it look perfect? This stuff is amazing!

I have a pair of scooter Blennies... they are going to have to find a new way to sleep :lol:

Wow, I wonder how much I will need for a 48x15"

 

[cheeto]

Can you get a picutre with the tank upside down ? =)

 

[mattjk]

Can you get a picutre with the tank upside down ? =)

I will tomorrow after it is fully cured.

 

[BlennyBabe]

This definately looks promising. It reminds me of the foam people were using to aquascape. I bet you could set some rocks in it to hold them secure or even spread it on the back wall and stick some shelves of live rock in it and then just let it dry. That would be really cool. Do you think it could yellow at all? I wonder how safe it would be to have in your tank, you know, maybe it leaches something out eventually.
Anyway, it looks amazing. post more pictures soon!

 

[Tremelle]

That does look nice. Is it saltwater safe? What kind of release of vapor or fumes did the product have?

 

[mattjk]

I was assured that it would not yellow, or leach out when completely cured.