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

[Bryan89]

Greg -

That is EXACTLY the point. I did not put ANY bulkheads through the bottom of my tank. I ran some outlets from my closed loop down from the top of my tank to the bottom of the closed loop inlet and under the HDPE so that you absolutely cannot see the discharge from the closed loop. The closed loop runs off a Sequence Hammerhead (5500 gph) via an OM 4 way. There are 3 discharges for the OM 4 way to the top of the tank, and the 4th is connected to the other 4 way discharge and goes all the way down to discharge under the HDPE. This blows out under all the rocks in my tank and keep everything in suspension. This flow pattern clears the under rock area and forces all wastes out into the main flow area, where other discharges kick it up into the overflow to the sump.

I may try and take photos this weekend if it would help explain what I did.

 

[Avast Marine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7467713#post7467713 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GSchiemer
I still don't get it, and I believe that putting bulkheads through the bottom of the aquarium is a BIG mistake, but whatever floats your boat.

Greg

Tell that to every manufacturer that makes RR's.

 

[Avast Marine]

Bryan89, I am using Pauls flow on my new setup too .

 

[chin_lee]

Hmmmm

Hmmmm

Not sure what the real reason is but i'm a little concern that none of the previous Envirotex users are chiming in to discuss their faux sand bed nor providing any pictures of them after all this time. Have anybody seen somebody elses tank who had done this and comment on it?

 

[Bryan89]

Re: Hmmmm

Re: Hmmmm

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7468875#post7468875 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chin_lee
Not sure what the real reason is but i'm a little concern that none of the previous Envirotex users are chiming in to discuss their faux sand bed nor providing any pictures of them after all this time. Have anybody seen somebody elses tank who had done this and comment on it?

I have had an Envirotex tank up for 6 months. It works well, but the sand eventually gets discolored or covdred in coraline. I will try and get photos.

 

[FiddlinBen]

I say forget the sand idea and go with something more smooth and durable, not quiet so heavy. Whatever you use don't forget to factor in the weight when moving your tank from place to place. I think I'm going to use a reflective substrate to maximize the light in my tank. Maybe line the bottom of the tank in a holographic self adhesive with a cool pattern or design then pour holographic glitter into the Envirotex and coat the bottom with a thin layer maybe 3/4 in. deep. I'm going to test on a small pyrex casserole dish first, to make sure it's not ghetto looking. I like the idea of coloring Envirotex too but it would dull the glitter reflection.

Darrell

 

[GSchiemer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7468624#post7468624 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dandy7200
Tell that to every manufacturer that makes RR's.

The BIG difference is that those bulkheads are located inside an overflow box, so that if there is a leak in the plumbing, the tank does not drain to the bottom.

 

[nyvp]

Just a bump to get an answer

What about laying down the Saran wrap type stuff first.
http://www.drugstore.com/products/p...UY-PLST-0-BRAND
( the stuff you would use in the kitchen)
This way it wouldn't be direct on the glass. I would think this would lessen the chances of the tank breaking

 

[King-Kong]

Updated Faux Sand Bed pix for users.

Setup around september 05; recent shots;

http://www.d3f.org/misc/fish/90g/74-fulltank.jpg
http://www.d3f.org/misc/fish/90g/78-rightside.jpg

I highly suggest this procedure for any future BB users. It takes just a bit of money, and will give you the best of both worlds.

 

[Ixthys]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7474218#post7474218 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nyvp
Just a bump to get an answer

What about laying down the Saran wrap type stuff first.
http://www.drugstore.com/products/p...UY-PLST-0-BRAND
( the stuff you would use in the kitchen)
This way it wouldn't be direct on the glass. I would think this would lessen the chances of the tank breaking

I did the Famowood epoxy and used wax paper (per someone's recommendations). It does NOT work.

FWIW, I did a test run on a 10g tank with crushed coral. Put it directly on the bottom. Turned out great.

 

[FiddlinBen]

Nice tank Kong! The water clarity that I see time and time again in photos, to me, is proof this BB method is an easier way to keep a tank clean and stable period. Not relying on a funky gunk loaded DSB. I always hated the way you could see the crud through the viewing panels of the DSB tanks and all the maintenance they require to boot.

 

[King-Kong]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7475406#post7475406 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FiddlinBen
Nice tank Kong! The water clarity that I see time and time again in photos, to me, is proof this BB method is an easier way to keep a tank clean and stable period. Not relying on a funky gunk loaded DSB. I always hated the way you could see the crud through the viewing panels of the DSB tanks and all the maintenance they require to boot.

The one thing that consistantly impresses me with this tank is just that: the water clarity.

I've never had a tank (especially one 4' long) where I can look in from the side, and see no reduction in clarity for the entire length of the tank.

Ofcourse, that's not to say BB doesnt give you other issues to be worried about... lord knows I am still far off from creating the perfect mixed tank bb setp.

 

[lubricus]

Bump! So dose anyone have any updates, or pics, Anyone else try this yet?

 

[Mercer]

I did the bottom of 2 tanks. I let the 1 dry for about a week, and flushed it with water many times. I just put freshwater fish in it, and within 1 hour they were not doing so hot. The fish are out, and doing a little bit better but I think I may lose them. Not sure what went wrong. Heck, not sure how to go about fixing this either. Maybe dry it out, and seal it all up with epoxy?

 

[Avast Marine]

It is epoxy that you used the first time. Give it another week to cure.

 

[GSchiemer]

I just don't get this. I don't see how this is worth the effort, expense and risk. And I really don't think there's any benefit to it. If you want a bare-bottom aquarium, just leave it bare. Most of it gets covered with live rock anyway, and the portion that's exposed will be covered by corals and coralline algae within 6 months anyway.

 

[King-Kong]

actually, most of your bare bottom SHOULDNT be covered by live rock. It should be lifted off of the substrate so flow can get underneath.

Next point, it cost me a whole $60. Considering i've spent close to $5,000 so far, I dont see any unnecessary cost; infact, this was one of the cheapest things ive done for the tank.

Next point; i've had mine for 9 months now, and the vast majority of it (70-80%) is still lacking corraline. Getting blasting by 250w HQI DE of 10k Ushio has that effect.

Lastly, what risk?

 

[lubricus]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7517902#post7517902 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by King-Kong
actually, most of your bare bottom SHOULDNT be covered by live rock. It should be lifted off of the substrate so flow can get underneath.

Next point, it cost me a whole $60. Considering i've spent close to $5,000 so far, I dont see any unnecessary cost; infact, this was one of the cheapest things ive done for the tank.

Next point; i've had mine for 9 months now, and the vast majority of it (70-80%) is still lacking corraline. Getting blasting by 250w HQI DE of 10k Ushio has that effect.

Lastly, what risk?

I'm thinking of doing this to my tank, do you have a recent pic of yours?

 

[nyvp]

Ixthys
what didnt work?
My idea is just to have something in between the glass and the epoxy so it doesnt attach to it ....
any idea's

 

[King-Kong]

http://www.d3f.org/misc/fish/90g/

That URL is the directory listing of any photo taken for my tank. Higher the number = most recent.

You can see the bottom in some of the pics of my most recent SPS purchases and see what great condition it still is in:

http://www.d3f.org/misc/fish/90g/77-newacro2.jpg
http://www.d3f.org/misc/fish/90g/78-rightside.jpg
http://www.d3f.org/misc/fish/90g/79-newacro.jpg

etc.