rtcpenguin
New member
So is it better to mix the epoxy and sand externally and pour in, or pour the epoxy into the tank, and stir in sand?
Idea for Faux sand bed. Envirotex Lite high gloss finish.
- Thread starter mattjk
- Start date
rick051074
New member
How long is everyone letting the mixture cure for?
FastUno
New member
Pour it externally & mix. If you do it in the tank you might make a mess & get stuff all over the glass.
I let mine sit for like 15-20min, but it started to get pretty damn hard towards the end. At the same time I had a more challenging task of filling in the little egg crates, so it took me longer. Pretty much the safe fun of filling up your tank with gas, only multiplied by 10x.
I let mine sit for like 15-20min, but it started to get pretty damn hard towards the end. At the same time I had a more challenging task of filling in the little egg crates, so it took me longer. Pretty much the safe fun of filling up your tank with gas, only multiplied by 10x.
rtcpenguin
New member
Sorry...so mix sand and epoxy in a bucket and pour the completed mixture into the tank?FastUno said:
It seems like I run a higher risk of getting sand stuck to the glass that way than pouring epoxy into the tank and adding sand.
FastUno
New member
Well, when you mix it internally you may get some splattering. It's in the mixing process itself that may cause more harm. You really want to mix that up until you get an even consistancy.
What I did was to place a bath towel over 1 panel of glass & take a hand shovel (throwel) & I placed the whole bucket in the 90g tank. I then slowly scooped some out & placed on tank floor. In retrospect, I should have used latex gloves. This way in case it gets fowled up, simply remove & put on a new pair. Also, have a razor blade with you in case you need to scrape it off the tank. It's much harder to scrape after the fact.
What I did was to place a bath towel over 1 panel of glass & take a hand shovel (throwel) & I placed the whole bucket in the 90g tank. I then slowly scooped some out & placed on tank floor. In retrospect, I should have used latex gloves. This way in case it gets fowled up, simply remove & put on a new pair. Also, have a razor blade with you in case you need to scrape it off the tank. It's much harder to scrape after the fact.
FastUno
New member
Also, one thing that just got to me.
I saw all these posts on detritus just magically disappearing with high flow rate. Great, it sure does disappear from the front, but plenty gets trapped in the back of the rock work. Best setup for a BB is like the one Bomber has. All his rockwork is in the center of his tank, nothing really hidden. If you want true success with this method I think that is what you should be striving for.
I don't know what kind of crack the rest are smoking or what kind of powerheads blow water between rocks & crevices, but it seems like there is plenty of room for crap to get stuck between. I have to siphon it out every 2 weeks or so. Do you want to keep softies & LPS, well they might not like too high of a flow rate.
I am sure we will get some fan mail on this. I am interested to see others take on this.
I saw all these posts on detritus just magically disappearing with high flow rate. Great, it sure does disappear from the front, but plenty gets trapped in the back of the rock work. Best setup for a BB is like the one Bomber has. All his rockwork is in the center of his tank, nothing really hidden. If you want true success with this method I think that is what you should be striving for.
I don't know what kind of crack the rest are smoking or what kind of powerheads blow water between rocks & crevices, but it seems like there is plenty of room for crap to get stuck between. I have to siphon it out every 2 weeks or so. Do you want to keep softies & LPS, well they might not like too high of a flow rate.
I am sure we will get some fan mail on this. I am interested to see others take on this.
The sand will separate quickly so you have to keep mixing. If you are going to use allot, do it in layers, will keep the heat down. A very think layer will fully cure in 48 hours (Yes, 2 days). Mine is several layers with mounds so mine took about 3 days. Any excess can easily be scraped off the glass with a razor. Make sure the sand is very clean and bone dry or it will look muddy. Good Luck, Steve.
rtcpenguin
New member
Someone confirm for me that either Famowood High Gloss Epoxy and/or the Envirolite Stuff is indeed sold at Home Depot or Lowes..
I just went to Home Depot and the chick in paint had no clue what I was talking about. It is a two part mix, right? What is it normally used for/what section should it be in?
I just went to Home Depot and the chick in paint had no clue what I was talking about. It is a two part mix, right? What is it normally used for/what section should it be in?
sonofgaladriel
Shiny!
I just checked today and neither is for sale at my local Lowes or Home Depot. We have Sherwan Williams paint stores locally that carry the Enviro Lite in the gallons size containers at $65.rtcpenguin said:
You can also get this if your not in a hurry
http://www.mertons.com/Epoxy/polyester_Resins/isophthalic.html
rtcpenguin
New member
What about this: http://www.createforless.com/products/productDetail.asp?ProductID=82506 ?
I found it on froogle when I searched for "envirotex epoxy"
I found it on froogle when I searched for "envirotex epoxy"
sonofgaladriel
Shiny!
That will get expensive at that price for 8 ounces.
rtcpenguin
New member
Alright, I'm going to check out Michael's and Lowes on the morrow.
rick051074
New member
I just finished up mine using sand applied to starboard.
Dont mind how the tank looks most of the rock is "cooking".
Dont mind how the tank looks most of the rock is "cooking".
I'm probably going to attempt a faux sand bed... but have two questions:
1. Has anyone tried to embed relatively thin PVC in the faux sand to serve as a water flow mechanism? I'm thinking of putting a PVC system (closed loop basically) that has one intake but multiple 90s esp (maybe only) in the rear, pushing water flow towards the front of the tank to help clean a barebottom?
2. I'd like to create a mold for my tank, so I can create the faux sand bed outside of the tank (in two pieces), then just set it in the tank. What can I use for the mold material that won't adhere to the epoxy/sand mix?
1. Has anyone tried to embed relatively thin PVC in the faux sand to serve as a water flow mechanism? I'm thinking of putting a PVC system (closed loop basically) that has one intake but multiple 90s esp (maybe only) in the rear, pushing water flow towards the front of the tank to help clean a barebottom?
2. I'd like to create a mold for my tank, so I can create the faux sand bed outside of the tank (in two pieces), then just set it in the tank. What can I use for the mold material that won't adhere to the epoxy/sand mix?
I was thinking of exactly doing that and was wondering if it is possible to create the faux bed outside the tank by placing some PVC egg crate on some plastic and pouring the sand/epoxy mix on the eggcrate. Will it have sufficient strength to be moved around and placed in the tank, or will it crumble and break with movement.
luckycat said:
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Does anyone have an opinion and whether a thin or thick layer of epoxy-sand is less likely to crack with temperature changes? I am starting a new 54 gallon corner tank, and I'm seriously contemplationg this type of bottom.
Also, any long-term updates from those who've tried egg crate or StarBoard on the bottom before laying down the epoxy?
Also, any long-term updates from those who've tried egg crate or StarBoard on the bottom before laying down the epoxy?
rtcpenguin
New member
I just checked out Michael's and they have envirotex lite epoxy, but its $6 for 4 oz. Im just going to get it online for $20 for 32oz.
FastUno
New member
Installing some plumbing for detritus shuffling is a good idea & wished that I had done that, maybe on the next one?
I also wanted to do the eggcrate external & place inside, but at the very last minute changed my mind. All depending on how you cut them, you will have more/less of a problem. The more room you give, the easier they will be to place in & the less the more headache (scratching the glass, line up pieces...etc). One thing definitely is that you should construct 2 pieces.
I've done the eggcrate/Famowood combo & no problems yet. It has been about 3 months so far.
I also wanted to do the eggcrate external & place inside, but at the very last minute changed my mind. All depending on how you cut them, you will have more/less of a problem. The more room you give, the easier they will be to place in & the less the more headache (scratching the glass, line up pieces...etc). One thing definitely is that you should construct 2 pieces.
I've done the eggcrate/Famowood combo & no problems yet. It has been about 3 months so far.
