Idea for Faux sand bed. Envirotex Lite high gloss finish. - Page 17

Old Yeller Tang · 05/12/2005, 11:47 AM

Well, I guess these are safe products to use then.

rscdragon · 05/14/2005, 08:01 AM

I have been following this thread from the begining and it is great. I am getting ready to do this to my new 75 this weekend. I am going to use it on starboard. My question is ,and I can't seem to find the answer, what is the ratio of Envirotex to sand. Should it be a thick oatmeal consistancy?

Thanks
rob

suver569 · 05/14/2005, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rscdragon
I have been following this thread from the beging it it is great. I am getting read to do this this weekend on my 75. I am going to do thid on starboard. My question is and I can't seem to find the answer, what is the ratio of Envirotex to sand. Should it be a thick oatmeal consistancy?

Thanks
rob

I couldnt really find it either, so I took a shot in the dark. I went with an oatmeal consistancy. What I wish I would have done, is mixed up, say, 2/3 of the epoxy/sand and left the othe 1/3 to pour over the top to smooth it out. I suppose you could do it after the fact, or go buy some more. That was my experience. The bed is a little rough for me.

rscdragon · 05/14/2005, 08:10 AM

Thanks suver569, I don't mind it being rough as long as it is not to the point that it will collect the crap we are trying to eliminate.

suver569 · 05/14/2005, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rscdragon
Thanks suver569, I don't mind it being rough as long as it is not to the point that it will collect the crap we are trying to eliminate.

Ahh, I dont think mine is to that point. One thing I was a little concerned about was my critters bumping into the solid rough bottom, and/or snails/hermits having a rough solid surface they have to crawl on. If it was smoothed a little more, it might be a little easier on them.

Dannyboy17 · 05/14/2005, 10:39 AM

Whats the difference between using this and just sand? I dont undestand why someone would want thier sand "glued" down?

--Dan

Dannyboy17 · 05/14/2005, 10:39 AM

Double post

--Dan

suver569 · 05/14/2005, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dannyboy17
Whats the difference between using this and just sand? I dont undestand why someone would want thier sand "glued" down?

--Dan

Mainly, you get the look of the sandbed, but not the potentially dangerous effects of trapping crap in the sand bed. It's basically a bare bottom tank in effect, but has the look of a sand bed.

acropora1981 · 05/14/2005, 11:21 AM

went out and bought my envirotex from Michaels (39.99 Canadian at Michaels!!!! YIKES!) I'm going to do a little test batch in bowl tonight or tomorrow, and then do my 75 on monday. I hope I have enough sand, but I dont think I do. I'm going to do a very shallow bed, I only have about 30 lbs of sand...not sure its gonna cover it. ?

Dannyboy17 · 05/14/2005, 11:22 AM

Oh, thats cool! Was just curious

--Dan

suver569 · 05/14/2005, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by acropora1981
went out and bought my envirotex from Michaels (39.99 Canadian at Michaels!!!! YIKES!) I'm going to do a little test batch in bowl tonight or tomorrow, and then do my 75 on monday. I hope I have enough sand, but I dont think I do. I'm going to do a very shallow bed, I only have about 30 lbs of sand...not sure its gonna cover it. ?

Do a mock up first. Dump the sand in dry, and get the coverage you want. That way, you can hold off if you have to until you get some more sand. Also, I noticed a little bit of shrinkage (or it compacted, not sure). Basically, I poured it in dry, and it seemed to compress a bit wet. Just FYI

acropora1981 · 05/14/2005, 11:39 AM

thanks, I'll do just that!

Bryan · 05/14/2005, 12:13 PM

Use the sand bed calculator on RC. Should give you a good idea if you have enough sand.

Quote:

Originally posted by acropora1981
I hope I have enough sand, but I dont think I do. I'm going to do a very shallow bed, I only have about 30 lbs of sand...not sure its gonna cover it. ?

joeychitwood · 05/14/2005, 03:44 PM

I still haven't read any comments from longer term epoxy users about how the faux sand bed looks over time. Coralline algae? Clean or dirty? What's the verdict?

asnatlas · 05/15/2005, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by joeychitwood
I still haven't read any comments from longer term epoxy users about how the faux sand bed looks over time. Coralline algae? Clean or dirty? What's the verdict?

Same, I am very interested in doing this and would like to hear more about long term results ??? I may test this out on my 20l FW tank...

Shawn

suver569 · 05/15/2005, 04:41 AM

I believe there was a few posts about long term info. Corraline was growing on the bed as expected.

Old Yeller Tang · 05/15/2005, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by suver569
I believe there was a few posts about long term info. Corraline was growing on the bed as expected.

Well that puts a damper on things!

joeychitwood · 05/16/2005, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by suver569
I believe there was a few posts about long term info. Corraline was growing on the bed as expected.

Has anyone posted any photos? I'm interested in how the bottoms look. I still think this is an intriguing idea.

luckycat · 05/16/2005, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by joeychitwood
Has anyone posted any photos? I'm interested in how the bottoms look. I still think this is an intriguing idea.

Yep look at prior posts on this thread by some with longer term experience with a faux bed. Some have said changing the water chemistry can reduce coraline algae growth, cannot recall and in my case don't care, I'll have a faux bed that will over time get corraline on it. I'm making mine easy to remove on starboard in case I don't like the look in a few years, but likely it'll be fine with me.

acropora1981 · 05/17/2005, 10:21 PM

Did my custom 75g last night, here's some pics!

sand dried and envirotex mixed up:

mixing up the sand

24 hours later:

Im pretty happy about how it tured out! looks really natural. thanks for the help!

Mantis · 06/01/2005, 09:57 AM

Wish me luck, I will be doing this to my new 400 gallon tank soon.

I'm going to be applying it to 2 pieces of Starboard so it can be removed if necessary.

I have seen people ask about a ratio of sand to epoxy. I have found 1 part epoxy to one part sand mixed together. Poured into the tank, and sprinkled with another one part of sand works really well.

Timbo · 06/01/2005, 10:44 AM

has anyone done epoxy/sand beds with a thin layer of sand on top of the bed? I'd think a thin layer of sand (1/2" or less) won't be much of a hassle, will help look more natural and will prevent coraline from growing on the bed. Right?

Joseph Botelho · 06/01/2005, 12:34 PM

I will be using this techique on my 500 gal tank. It will be done in 4 sections. I was thinking of silconing the edges all around so as to not have any junk accumulate under the starboard. What do you think about this?

luckycat · 06/01/2005, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Joseph Botelho
I will be using this techique on my 500 gal tank. It will be done in 4 sections. I was thinking of silconing the edges all around so as to not have any junk accumulate under the starboard. What do you think about this?

That is what I did, I have two sections of starboard with an epoxy/crushed shell/sand mix, after putting on the bottom used silicone around the edges and between the two, then sprinkled some crushed coral on the silicone down the middle to give it more of a uniform look.

If I want I have the option of removing the bottom in the future, have to cut off the silicone but at least I have the option.

Joseph Botelho · 06/01/2005, 07:30 PM

yeah that is what i will be doing. I did a small test section and I like the look more with the sand sprinkled over before it dries looks more natural.
I'm wondering why bother mixing in the aragonite in the epoxy. I could probably just spread the epoxy mix on the starboard and then cover the epoxy with aragonite tap it in, let it dry then shake of the excess. There really is no need for it to be a thick coat.

05/12/2005, 11:47 AM	#401
Old Yeller Tang Premium Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: East Highlands Ranch, SoCal Posts: 3,731	Well, I guess these are safe products to use then. __________________ THE PAC 10 "The Conference of Champions" 359 NCAA titles and counting! 2nd Best, The Big 10 with a distant 212 titles PAC 10 FOOTBALL is 9-6 against the SEC since the turn of the century! Current Tank Info: 170g in-wall reef, In The Zone!(ozone that is), EuroReef CS8-2 Skimmer, 150lbs. lr & no sand, (2) 400w mh's, (1) 110 actinic vho's, 1hp Aqua Medic chiller

05/14/2005, 08:01 AM	#402
rscdragon Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 97	I have been following this thread from the begining and it is great. I am getting ready to do this to my new 75 this weekend. I am going to use it on starboard. My question is ,and I can't seem to find the answer, what is the ratio of Envirotex to sand. Should it be a thick oatmeal consistancy? Thanks rob __________________ YESTERDAY WAS THE EASY DAY!!! Current Tank Info: sps / clam

05/14/2005, 08:10 AM	#404
rscdragon Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 97	Thanks suver569, I don't mind it being rough as long as it is not to the point that it will collect the crap we are trying to eliminate. __________________ YESTERDAY WAS THE EASY DAY!!! Current Tank Info: sps / clam

05/14/2005, 11:21 AM	#409
acropora1981 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 527	went out and bought my envirotex from Michaels (39.99 Canadian at Michaels!!!! YIKES!) I'm going to do a little test batch in bowl tonight or tomorrow, and then do my 75 on monday. I hope I have enough sand, but I dont think I do. I'm going to do a very shallow bed, I only have about 30 lbs of sand...not sure its gonna cover it. ? __________________ "when you do things right, people wont be sure you've done anything at all." "We don't keep fish and corals; we keep water." Current Tank Info: 28g JBJ AIO SPS w/AI SOL Blue, 20g AIO Softies/LPS skimmerless

05/14/2005, 11:39 AM	#412
acropora1981 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 527	thanks, I'll do just that! __________________ "when you do things right, people wont be sure you've done anything at all." "We don't keep fish and corals; we keep water." Current Tank Info: 28g JBJ AIO SPS w/AI SOL Blue, 20g AIO Softies/LPS skimmerless

05/14/2005, 10:39 AM	#406
Dannyboy17 Coconut Bangers Ball Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 570	Whats the difference between using this and just sand? I dont undestand why someone would want thier sand "glued" down? --Dan

05/14/2005, 10:39 AM	#407
Dannyboy17 Coconut Bangers Ball Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 570	Double post --Dan

05/14/2005, 11:22 AM	#410
Dannyboy17 Coconut Bangers Ball Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 570	Oh, thats cool! Was just curious --Dan

05/14/2005, 03:44 PM	#414
joeychitwood Schrödinger's Mod Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 3,488	I still haven't read any comments from longer term epoxy users about how the faux sand bed looks over time. Coralline algae? Clean or dirty? What's the verdict?

05/15/2005, 04:41 AM	#416
suver569 Moved On Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 71	I believe there was a few posts about long term info. Corraline was growing on the bed as expected.

05/17/2005, 10:21 PM	#420
acropora1981 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 527	Did my custom 75g last night, here's some pics! sand dried and envirotex mixed up: mixing up the sand 24 hours later: Im pretty happy about how it tured out! looks really natural. thanks for the help! __________________ "when you do things right, people wont be sure you've done anything at all." "We don't keep fish and corals; we keep water." Current Tank Info: 28g JBJ AIO SPS w/AI SOL Blue, 20g AIO Softies/LPS skimmerless

06/01/2005, 09:57 AM	#421
Mantis Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 2,027	Wish me luck, I will be doing this to my new 400 gallon tank soon. I'm going to be applying it to 2 pieces of Starboard so it can be removed if necessary. I have seen people ask about a ratio of sand to epoxy. I have found 1 part epoxy to one part sand mixed together. Poured into the tank, and sprinkled with another one part of sand works really well. __________________ "Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice." Steve Jobs TOTM September 2011 http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index.php/current-issue/article/87-tank-of-the-month Current Tank Info: 400 gallon

06/01/2005, 10:44 AM	#422
Timbo Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Scarsdale, NY Posts: 298	has anyone done epoxy/sand beds with a thin layer of sand on top of the bed? I'd think a thin layer of sand (1/2" or less) won't be much of a hassle, will help look more natural and will prevent coraline from growing on the bed. Right? __________________ Scarsdale, NY

06/01/2005, 12:34 PM	#423
Joseph Botelho Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: montreal Posts: 13	I will be using this techique on my 500 gal tank. It will be done in 4 sections. I was thinking of silconing the edges all around so as to not have any junk accumulate under the starboard. What do you think about this?

06/01/2005, 07:30 PM	#425
Joseph Botelho Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: montreal Posts: 13	yeah that is what i will be doing. I did a small test section and I like the look more with the sand sprinkled over before it dries looks more natural. I'm wondering why bother mixing in the aragonite in the epoxy. I could probably just spread the epoxy mix on the starboard and then cover the epoxy with aragonite tap it in, let it dry then shake of the excess. There really is no need for it to be a thick coat.