Idea for Faux sand bed. Envirotex Lite high gloss finish. - Page 12

CamBarr · 02/28/2005, 02:26 AM

how dense is the foam would corals be able to incrust upon the foam?
cb

docjay · 02/28/2005, 09:37 AM

Cambarr,
I'm planning on corals encrusting on it. The foam is about 2 to 4" thick depending on location. I put quite a few 3/4" dia holes in it all over the place to accomodate frags.

Jay

FastUno · 02/28/2005, 09:59 PM

docjay, can you give us a link to the foam that you used.
Also, does the foam meet the glass back there, or is there plenty of more room for you to put stull like powerheads...etc. Are the pipes the only support structure?

More pics would be awesome.

docjay · 03/01/2005, 08:37 PM

The Foam is called Great Stuff. I got it at Home Depot. It took 8-9 cans to do the job. The backgrounds are flush up against the back of the tank siliconed in place. Also I put the backgrounds in first then poured the epoxy bottom so the epoxy binds the backgrounds to the bottom of the tank too.
In the middle of the background you can see apipe extending downward into the background. It actually extends into an upsidedown pocket that has an Oceans Motions Revolution in it. When activated it extends downward out of the pocket spraying water into the tank halfway down the water column. When deactivated it pulls back up into the pocket out of sight.

I'll post some more pics later.

Jay

rtcpenguin · 03/06/2005, 05:46 PM

Hmmm. I'm considering this for my 20g nano, as I'm tired of my CC and I don't want to use a traditional sandbed because I transport my tank 4 times a year.

So you guys have had good luck with the High Gloss stuff from Home Depot? I may try that.

awcurl · 03/06/2005, 09:01 PM

I finished putting in a Epoxy sand bottom in my 240.
The sand Epoxy mixture.

Tank before adding mixture.

After adding mixture and covering in dry sand.

Finished product after removing the loose sand.

I still need to remove the expansion spacers along the rear and side glass.

pickle311 · 03/06/2005, 09:42 PM

looks good, how much epoxy and sand did it take to cover the bottom of your 240?

coyoteseven · 03/06/2005, 10:48 PM

What material did you use for the expansion joint (spacers), awcurl?

FastUno · 03/06/2005, 11:37 PM

Running tank on Famowood Epoxy from HD, no negative signs yet?

hdtvguy · 03/07/2005, 01:44 AM

Looking good guys!

awcurl

Did you put anything under the sandbed mix and the glass?

holeinone1972 · 03/07/2005, 07:05 AM

Here is a picture of my traveling frag tank.

I used the epoxy mixed with blue dye that they sell at a craft store. I did not want a sand look, but rather a colored epoxy to hide the damadged bottom.

I was going to paint the bottom but all of the moving around would have simply scrathed off the paint, and I would have to repaint it often.

Rob

reefdood · 03/07/2005, 08:16 AM

Great look everybody. I swear, you guys make me wanna rip down my tank for the 3rd time in 4 months just to get rid of my sand and go epoxy

awcurl · 03/07/2005, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by coyoteseven
What material did you use for the expansion joint (spacers), awcurl?

1/4" Styrofoam

Quote:

Originally posted by hdtvguy
Did you put anything under the sandbed mix and the glass?

I put it directly on the glass and it's about 1/4" thick. After reading about your experience doing this, I didn't want to make it to thick. I also monitored it for heat, but it was only slightly warm to the touch.

Dz99ls · 03/19/2005, 09:09 AM

that sucks im sure your new tank will be even better

mikeo1210 · 03/19/2005, 09:35 AM

These look great but they're too clean. I'd like to see pics of an established tank w/ the faux sandbed. What do they look like w/ corraline growing on them?? Any pics?

Brad524 · 03/19/2005, 05:52 PM

mike

is that a skimmer in your avatar

mikeo1210 · 03/19/2005, 06:31 PM

Yep, that woman's not a midget either. Built in port-holes for viewing. lol.

Bryan · 03/21/2005, 05:05 PM

Anybody tried using the epoxy and sand mixture on a material other than starboard.

DRZL-sauras · 03/22/2005, 01:08 AM

One more example:

Envirotex Lite epoxy + Sand BB

DIY "Great Stuff Foam"

This is 2 mth into a 36G BF upgraded from a 20L.

The faux SB is right on glass, no problems, (knock on wood)

awcurl · 04/02/2005, 08:48 PM

^

FastUno · 04/02/2005, 09:17 PM

As you can see the board has greens, brown, reds & purples. These are the same colors on my rocks, so it is more & more looking like my live rock.

rtcpenguin · 04/13/2005, 08:59 PM

So is it safe to use Famowood High Gloss Epoxy + sand without anything underneath (ie starboard)?

FastUno · 04/13/2005, 09:34 PM

Safe is a relative term. Safe as long as you take safety cautions (i.e. don't pour in hot water, cold water...don't go to either extreme). Don't slam rocks on your floor or let them fall haphazardly.

If you don't want to worry about this then use starboard, because it's safer!

Mishri · 04/14/2005, 01:12 AM

hmm.. what kind of dye do you think would be safe to use with this? i saw some pics of a reef tank with black sand that looked AWESOME! if i could dye the sand/epoxy black that might have a similiar look.... i have a spare tank i could probably experiment with.. hmmmmm..

FastUno · 04/14/2005, 09:50 AM

I was really set on using dark/black sand, until I read a post on how easily the dirt on black stands out.

Matter of seconds to change my mind!

02/28/2005, 02:26 AM	#276
CamBarr Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Irvine, SOCAL Posts: 2,365	how dense is the foam would corals be able to incrust upon the foam? cb __________________ Cam Barr

02/28/2005, 09:59 PM	#278
FastUno Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: NY Posts: 1,726	docjay, can you give us a link to the foam that you used. Also, does the foam meet the glass back there, or is there plenty of more room for you to put stull like powerheads...etc. Are the pipes the only support structure? More pics would be awesome. __________________ 75g AGA/RR/BB, 20g sump, Aquactinics 2x250 (Phoenix 14K)/2x54 T5 (AB & B+), Eheim 1262 Return, Deltec AP600, Tunze 6060 & Osmolator 3155, Homemade 2 part Current Tank Info: SW, Reef

03/06/2005, 09:01 PM	#281
awcurl Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 1,181	I finished putting in a Epoxy sand bottom in my 240. The sand Epoxy mixture. Tank before adding mixture. After adding mixture and covering in dry sand. Finished product after removing the loose sand. I still need to remove the expansion spacers along the rear and side glass. __________________ Art ETRC Member of the ETRC since Nov. 2003 The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese in the trap! Current Tank Info: 240 with 100 gallon sump bare bottom, 250 watt MHs, My other hobby is remote control car racing.

03/06/2005, 10:48 PM	#283
coyoteseven Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: North Port FL Posts: 1,626	What material did you use for the expansion joint (spacers), awcurl? __________________ A wise man never has all the answers... just more questions. This above all else... the true warrior prays for peace. Current Tank Info: None right now, perhaps again some day.

03/06/2005, 11:37 PM	#284
FastUno Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: NY Posts: 1,726	Running tank on Famowood Epoxy from HD, no negative signs yet? __________________ 75g AGA/RR/BB, 20g sump, Aquactinics 2x250 (Phoenix 14K)/2x54 T5 (AB & B+), Eheim 1262 Return, Deltec AP600, Tunze 6060 & Osmolator 3155, Homemade 2 part Current Tank Info: SW, Reef

02/28/2005, 09:37 AM	#277
docjay Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 196	Cambarr, I'm planning on corals encrusting on it. The foam is about 2 to 4" thick depending on location. I put quite a few 3/4" dia holes in it all over the place to accomodate frags. Jay

03/01/2005, 08:37 PM	#279
docjay Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 196	The Foam is called Great Stuff. I got it at Home Depot. It took 8-9 cans to do the job. The backgrounds are flush up against the back of the tank siliconed in place. Also I put the backgrounds in first then poured the epoxy bottom so the epoxy binds the backgrounds to the bottom of the tank too. In the middle of the background you can see apipe extending downward into the background. It actually extends into an upsidedown pocket that has an Oceans Motions Revolution in it. When activated it extends downward out of the pocket spraying water into the tank halfway down the water column. When deactivated it pulls back up into the pocket out of sight. I'll post some more pics later. Jay

03/06/2005, 05:46 PM	#280
rtcpenguin Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Fairfax, VA Posts: 575	Hmmm. I'm considering this for my 20g nano, as I'm tired of my CC and I don't want to use a traditional sandbed because I transport my tank 4 times a year. So you guys have had good luck with the High Gloss stuff from Home Depot? I may try that.

03/06/2005, 09:42 PM	#282
pickle311 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Austin TX...Finally Posts: 981	looks good, how much epoxy and sand did it take to cover the bottom of your 240?

03/07/2005, 01:44 AM	#285
hdtvguy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Winnipeg,Canada Posts: 1,287	Looking good guys! awcurl Did you put anything under the sandbed mix and the glass?

03/07/2005, 07:05 AM	#286
holeinone1972 Team RC Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 2,334	Here is a picture of my traveling frag tank. I used the epoxy mixed with blue dye that they sell at a craft store. I did not want a sand look, but rather a colored epoxy to hide the damadged bottom. I was going to paint the bottom but all of the moving around would have simply scrathed off the paint, and I would have to repaint it often. Rob __________________ It's only money !!!! Current Tank Info: Trying to decide on 1st tank since mass selloff.

03/07/2005, 08:16 AM	#287
reefdood Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Metairie, LA Posts: 1,553	Great look everybody. I swear, you guys make me wanna rip down my tank for the 3rd time in 4 months just to get rid of my sand and go epoxy __________________ ~I am Fragholio!~ ~I need species for my fraghole!~ Current Tank Info: 30g drilled display with a 20g sump, modded CPR skimmer in sump, Mag7 return, 1/4 hp chiller, Ranco DS, 175w Hamilton, (3) 3' VHO, IC 660, (2) hacksawed MJ 900's on a Waveaster Pro, LED moonlights, and an inch of sand.

03/19/2005, 09:09 AM	#289
Dz99ls Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Williamsport, PA Posts: 1,383	that sucks im sure your new tank will be even better __________________ "In Order to Conserve Energy, The Light at the Tunnel Has Been Shut Off Until Furthur Notice!" Current Tank Info: 90 gallon bow front. 150# of live rock

03/19/2005, 09:35 AM	#290
mikeo1210 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca Posts: 1,611	These look great but they're too clean. I'd like to see pics of an established tank w/ the faux sandbed. What do they look like w/ corraline growing on them?? Any pics?

03/19/2005, 05:52 PM	#291
Brad524 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: near Wisconsin Dells Posts: 326	mike is that a skimmer in your avatar __________________ After tons and tons and tons of research I still know nothing Together Everyone Acheives More Current Tank Info: Planning monster tank

03/19/2005, 06:31 PM	#292
mikeo1210 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca Posts: 1,611	Yep, that woman's not a midget either. Built in port-holes for viewing. lol.

03/21/2005, 05:05 PM	#293
Bryan Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 1,750	Anybody tried using the epoxy and sand mixture on a material other than starboard. __________________ -=Bryan=- Current Tank Info: 10g nano reef

03/22/2005, 01:08 AM	#294
DRZL-sauras Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 897	One more example: Envirotex Lite epoxy + Sand BB DIY "Great Stuff Foam" This is 2 mth into a 36G BF upgraded from a 20L. The faux SB is right on glass, no problems, (knock on wood) __________________ Whats kalk got to do, got to do with it?

04/02/2005, 08:48 PM	#295
awcurl Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 1,181	^ __________________ Art ETRC Member of the ETRC since Nov. 2003 The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese in the trap! Current Tank Info: 240 with 100 gallon sump bare bottom, 250 watt MHs, My other hobby is remote control car racing.

04/02/2005, 09:17 PM	#296
FastUno Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: NY Posts: 1,726	As you can see the board has greens, brown, reds & purples. These are the same colors on my rocks, so it is more & more looking like my live rock. __________________ 75g AGA/RR/BB, 20g sump, Aquactinics 2x250 (Phoenix 14K)/2x54 T5 (AB & B+), Eheim 1262 Return, Deltec AP600, Tunze 6060 & Osmolator 3155, Homemade 2 part Current Tank Info: SW, Reef

04/13/2005, 08:59 PM	#297
rtcpenguin Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Fairfax, VA Posts: 575	So is it safe to use Famowood High Gloss Epoxy + sand without anything underneath (ie starboard)?

04/13/2005, 09:34 PM	#298
FastUno Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: NY Posts: 1,726	Safe is a relative term. Safe as long as you take safety cautions (i.e. don't pour in hot water, cold water...don't go to either extreme). Don't slam rocks on your floor or let them fall haphazardly. If you don't want to worry about this then use starboard, because it's safer! __________________ 75g AGA/RR/BB, 20g sump, Aquactinics 2x250 (Phoenix 14K)/2x54 T5 (AB & B+), Eheim 1262 Return, Deltec AP600, Tunze 6060 & Osmolator 3155, Homemade 2 part Current Tank Info: SW, Reef

04/14/2005, 01:12 AM	#299
Mishri Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Great Falls, MT Posts: 1,404	hmm.. what kind of dye do you think would be safe to use with this? i saw some pics of a reef tank with black sand that looked AWESOME! if i could dye the sand/epoxy black that might have a similiar look.... i have a spare tank i could probably experiment with.. hmmmmm.. __________________ 300 gallon 8ft long, 2x xf250 gyre, reef octopus 250-int - work in progress Aquarist since 1986

04/14/2005, 09:50 AM	#300
FastUno Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: NY Posts: 1,726	I was really set on using dark/black sand, until I read a post on how easily the dirt on black stands out. Matter of seconds to change my mind! __________________ 75g AGA/RR/BB, 20g sump, Aquactinics 2x250 (Phoenix 14K)/2x54 T5 (AB & B+), Eheim 1262 Return, Deltec AP600, Tunze 6060 & Osmolator 3155, Homemade 2 part Current Tank Info: SW, Reef