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

Quick question from an amature, feel free to dismiss it; but I didn't go with a BB or starboard on account I like the substrate look. Wouldn't a BB, starboard, or even this method simply be taken over by coralline algae eventually? At which point all the effort in creating a natural looking substrate would be for squat? I like the natural substrate in that it keeps shifting, and won't acheive complete coverage by algae.

Your thoughts? (if it is the complete coaralline look you are intending, please disregard; unless you are in there scrubbing your faux substrates)
 
mille239 said:
Quick question from an amature, feel free to dismiss it; but I didn't go with a BB or starboard on account I like the substrate look. Wouldn't a BB, starboard, or even this method simply be taken over by coralline algae eventually? At which point all the effort in creating a natural looking substrate would be for squat? I like the natural substrate in that it keeps shifting, and won't acheive complete coverage by algae.

Your thoughts? (if it is the complete coaralline look you are intending, please disregard; unless you are in there scrubbing your faux substrates)
Click to expand...

Yep you are right over time it might be taken over by corraline algae. I'm still taking my time on my setup, so I don't have a long-term outlook on how this is going to look...but I do know one thing, if I don't like the look, since I did it on two removable cutting boards I can take out what I've done easily and replace with either new faux bed (total cost, with epoxy, was about $80-100), or a DSB. I will definately not be trying to chip off the coaraline! In general, with a bb, it will be much easier for me to cleanly swap out my substrate than DSB.
 
I've had mine up and running for a couple of months now. So far I do have some patchy algae growth on it which the tangs and Lawnmower blenny are constantly picking at. No Coraline algae growth on the substrate yet but it is all over the glass, rocks and backgrounds. I still like the look. Worse caes scenario for me is if I don't like it in the future I'll just pour a shallow sand bed over it.

Jay
 
Hi,
way too long for me; I've been reading for some time now but need clarification about experiences so . . .could you tell me if I can go with the epoxy mix directly to my 55G AGA bottom glass? if yes, any sugestions to avoid disaster? I want to start the process this weekend. How many days do I need to cure it and what do you consider the right amout for a 48" x 12" bed (very fine layer arround 1/5")? Thanks for your help.
 
Has anyone tried to make a mold out of plywood or something to the exact shape you want, lining it with wax paper or something similar, letting it dry and then peeling the wax paper off to create a custom board? Putting it on starboard may be easier but I was kinda curious if it may work... Maybe try pouring a small glob on wax paper and letting it dry and see if it peels off easily? Awsome idea, I was going to go starboard but this looks like the ticket!

What I am planning on doing is cutting egg crate for the rocks to sit on and then create custom boards for the area the egg crate doesn't cover so I can pull the boards out and clean them whenever. Just an idea I am having... Cool stuff!
 
Sounds like your idea may work DeeZeal, let us know. My experience with epoxy/sand on starboard is that it is working well, but I have only 3 weeks experience w/livestock. I was going to put in a spray bar in the back to keep water flow moving towards the front, but I didn't do that..and now regret it. With barebottom tank you want lots of flow on the bottom so nothing gets stuck in the back.
 
Instead of making a new one, you could just wash it in vinegar and save a few bucks.......the only hassle would be to take everything out.
I still think it's a good idea.....just one more thing to contemplate about. :)
 
DeeZeal said:
Has anyone tried to make a mold out of plywood or something to the exact shape you want, lining it with wax paper or something similar, letting it dry and then peeling the wax paper off to create a custom board?
Click to expand...

I made my custom boards yesterday and today by casting 2 on panes of glass with tape and cardboard to create the shape I wanted. I cast an additional regular rectangle on a plastic table (actually the underside of an old dog crate tray). It peeled off very easily from the glass and not easily off the plastic. Therefore, do this on sheets of glass and it will peel off very easily. I used the Home Depot Glaze Coat Epoxy Resin.

I peeled them off approximately 20 hours after pouring. I used 3x32oz packages with about 40lbs of sand mixed in and 10 lbs of sand sprinkled on top. This is for my 72"x18" 150 gallon tank.

Cheers,
Marshall
 
Red Sea Purple Tang said:
Is it possible, once the first layer or resin/sand is dry, to add another layer on top to create a higher spot? I'm not sure how thick the mixture is.
Click to expand...

You might be able to do this, if you perhaps wait for the epoxy/sand to set a bit, and depending on the thickness of the mix. My ground is definately not completely level, but the epoxy when first mixed does tend to level itself out.
 
I know someone that did it on acrylic and I also did it on plastic. Glass peeled WAY easy. The plastic took chunks out of the bottom and I had to use a spatula/scraper to get it off. Glass took 5 minutes to peel, plastic took over an hour and a lot of sweat.

I used 3x32oz packages with about 40lbs of sand mixed in and 10 lbs of sand sprinkled on top. This is for my 72"x18" 150 gallon tank.
 
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