Removable Substrate - Any Ideas?

[nuxx]

Hey everyone,

We're setting up a photography tank and want a substrate that we can remove each day easily.

Would like crushed coral / rubble sized pieces... but don't want to have to scoop it out of the tank each day...

Wondering if anyone has any ideas?

Maybe using silicone and larger pieces of substrate on a flat piece of acrylic?

We empty out and clean the tank each day.

Here are some quick shots, you can see that it looks weird without a substrate...

Any suggestions would really be appreciated!

Thanks :beer:

 

[FishyFishy69]

I think you're exactly right. I would do an acrylic or egg crate base and cover it with a layer of silicone and pour your substrate on it. I did the same kind of thing to hide pipes when doing my aquascaping. Just pressed crushed coral and rubble into silicone. Looks fine.

 

[nuxx]

I think you're exactly right. I would do an acrylic or egg crate base and cover it with a layer of silicone and pour your substrate on it. I did the same kind of thing to hide pipes when doing my aquascaping. Just pressed crushed coral and rubble into silicone. Looks fine.

Thanks!

Do you think silicone would be better than clear pvc glue?

 

[FishyFishy69]

I'm unsure how the PVC glue would react with the subtrate chemically. It might break it down. Maybe someone with more knowledge on this can chime in. The PVC glue seems like it would stick better. The silicone will have some give to it, so you will likely loose some substrate everytime it's flexed taking it in and out.

 

[nuxx]

I'm unsure how the PVC glue would react with the subtrate chemically. It might break it down. Maybe someone with more knowledge on this can chime in. The PVC glue seems like it would stick better. The silicone will have some give to it, so you will likely loose some substrate everytime it's flexed taking it in and out.

Hadn't thought of that...

Will try both and see how they hold up

Here's a video test (Yeah dirty glass!):




Click for bigger / HD:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czeISnzrgQU

Looks weird without the substrate!

 

[mcgyvr]

Personally I'd attach the substrate to a solid material like starboard (hdpe plastic) or even some acrylic

 

[nuxx]

Personally I'd attach the substrate to a solid material like starboard (hdpe plastic) or even some acrylic

Yeah was just looking at using two acrylic sheets to make it easier to get in and out.

Should really make everything look a bit more natural.

Want each fish to have a good picture and video. Not bad for the first day of messing around with the setup.

Def. room for improvement :fun4:

 

[zachts]

You could simply coat the bottom of the tank with gorilla glue or pond foam and substrate. like they do for making rock wall back drops. But if you wan't it removable it could be on egg crate or any other reef safe material.

 

[shaggss]

Do a search for Flux Sand bed. Use epoxy resin and mix with sand. Pour on HDPE board.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=392144

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2420434&highlight=flux&page=2

 

[tankfull]

Also check out a company called "smooth on" they have alot of neat ideas.

 

[Neebles]

I would go with starboard...its light in color, not clear, so if you attach crushed coral or whatever to it, and miss a few spots it shouldn't be as noticeable. I have seen pics of tanks with the starboard in it and besides the uniformity of it, you would think there was sand in the tank.

 

[CStrickland]

Do a search for Flux Sand bed. Use epoxy resin and mix with sand. Pour on HDPE board.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=392144

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2420434&highlight=flux&page=2

This.
But I think shaggs meant to say "faux" sand bed.

 

[shaggss]

This.
But I think shaggs meant to say "faux" sand bed.

Haha yes! Too much Back to the Future!

 

[nuxx]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys

Ended up going to Home Depot and grabbing two pieces of acrylic and some clear PVC cement. Then ran over to Petsmart and got some cheap crushed coral.

Rinsed the crushed coral, then stuck it in the oven for a bit.

Put coat of PVC glue down and put a layer of crushed coral down. Then let dry and repeated. Then poured a lot of PVC glue over the second layer and let dry over night.

Seems pretty stable. Just going to secure in the tank with a little bit of silicone, should be ok. No real need to take out each time we empty the tank. Just didn't want to have to take out and add substrate every time we want to take pictures and videos.

 

[FishyFishy69]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys

Ended up going to Home Depot and grabbing two pieces of acrylic and some clear PVC cement. Then ran over to Petsmart and got some cheap crushed coral.

Rinsed the crushed coral, then stuck it in the oven for a bit.

Put coat of PVC glue down and put a layer of crushed coral down. Then let dry and repeated. Then poured a lot of PVC glue over the second layer and let dry over night.

Seems pretty stable. Just going to secure in the tank with a little bit of silicone, should be ok. No real need to take out each time we empty the tank. Just didn't want to have to take out and add substrate every time we want to take pictures and videos.

Looks good! Keep us updated.

 

[nuxx]

Will do.

For some reason I've noticed in the past when taking pictures of say watches or jewelry, the more colors you add to the picture, the better the pictures comes out for some reason. Maybe having the substrate in there instead of bare bottom with reflection will make it pop a bit more...

 

[woodnaquanut]

Looks like it is working out for you. I'd be careful with the PVC cement. It's not really a glue, it's a solvent.

Something like the cement Marco Rocks sells, aka EMACO, would be fish safe for sure. Slather a layer on starboard and sprinkle with substrate.

 

[nuxx]

Looks like it is working out for you. I'd be careful with the PVC cement. It's not really a glue, it's a solvent.

Something like the cement Marco Rocks sells, aka EMACO, would be fish safe for sure. Slather a layer on starboard and sprinkle with substrate.

Good idea with the mortar Marco sells!

Let's see how long this solution lasts

 

[woodnaquanut]

Good idea with the mortar Marco sells!

Let's see how long this solution lasts

Be sure to report back.

After I wrote the above I got to wondering if the EMACO would stick to acrylic or starboard. I don't really know. It might need to be keyed into the SB.

 

[nuxx]

Be sure to report back.

After I wrote the above I got to wondering if the EMACO would stick to acrylic or starboard. I don't really know. It might need to be keyed into the SB.

Will do

Should test it out Wednesday.