Silicone Bare Bottom

plankton99 · 11/05/2010, 06:05 PM

I am thinking about using a silicone sheet for my tank with the intent to make it a bare bottom. Please chime in if this is a good idea or not?

My Theory:

1) Since nothing grows on the silicone seams (Coraline, algae etc) Silicone would be the ideal for a bare bottom set up.
2) I will be using food grade silicone sheets 100% silicone, this should be safe correct?

Here is a link to a sheet i might consider.

http://kerekes-bakery-restaurant-equ...source=froogle

Love to hear anyone's thoughts.

Scott-CapeCoral · 11/05/2010, 06:29 PM

Solid red ??

plankton99 · 11/05/2010, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott-CapeCoral

Solid red ??

Red was the only color i found besides light blue here. I would prefer black and maybe white.

Here is the light blue one...

http://www.fondantsource.com/siliconemat.html

tmplge · 11/06/2010, 03:15 PM

coraline and algae do grow on silicone its just a little slower process. I wonder what the chemical effects would be by that amount of colored silicone?

plankton99 · 11/06/2010, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmplge

coraline and algae do grow on silicone its just a little slower process. I wonder what the chemical effects would be by that amount of colored silicone?

Yeah that is what I am wondering as well. I have to double check if it is 100% silicone, if it is and it is food grade, it should be safe I hope.

hottuna · 11/09/2010, 05:49 AM

I'd worry about the edges flapping up in the current or something with a sheet that thin....

ziyaadb · 11/09/2010, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plankton99

1) Since nothing grows on the silicone seams (Coraline, algae etc) Silicone would be the ideal for a bare bottom set up.

I am sorry but algae will groww on it

plankton99 · 11/09/2010, 09:08 AM

Thanks for the replies. I guess it is looking like it will have to be sand. BTW this is the tank...

das75 · 11/09/2010, 09:25 AM

you can always just go BB. Only algae I find growing is coralline and some zoas, and mushrooms have taken hold.

jeff@zina.com · 11/09/2010, 10:07 AM

When did you ever see a silicone bottom on the ocean? Or bare glass?

Jeff

mcgyvr · 11/09/2010, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff@zina.com

When did you ever see a silicone bottom on the ocean? Or bare glass?

Jeff

It's there ... It's just been covered up by sand over the years (millions)

plankton99 · 11/09/2010, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff@zina.com

When did you ever see a silicone bottom on the ocean? Or bare glass?

Jeff

Glass is made from sand

mlb75 · 11/09/2010, 11:39 AM

One thing I did on an old tank was cover the bottom of the tank with a very thin layer of aquarium silicone and then sprinkle medium to course gravel over it and press it in (it made a serious mess so wear gloves and tape up the sides of the tank that you don't want silicone on). It took a bit to dry but when it did I had a bare bottom tank that looked like it had substrate. Just another idea...

Stuart60611 · 11/09/2010, 01:26 PM

Why not just go with a very shallow 1/8 of inch or less dusting of sand on the bottom. You get the asthetics of a sand bottom with the benefits of a bare bottom. Seems like the easiest solution. I have done so in my fowlr for qutie a while, and it has worked well.

plankton99 · 11/09/2010, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuart60611

Why not just go with a very shallow 1/8 of inch or less dusting of sand on the bottom. You get the asthetics of a sand bottom with the benefits of a bare bottom. Seems like the easiest solution. I have done so in my fowlr for qutie a while, and it has worked well.

This is a good option. I think this is how I will move forward.

LittlePuff · 11/09/2010, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuart60611

Why not just go with a very shallow 1/8 of inch or less dusting of sand on the bottom. You get the asthetics of a sand bottom with the benefits of a bare bottom. Seems like the easiest solution. I have done so in my fowlr for qutie a while, and it has worked well.

Doesn't the sand blow all over the place, since you need higher flow?

Stuart60611 · 11/09/2010, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittlePuff

Doesn't the sand blow all over the place, since you need higher flow?

Well, I have never tried it with real fine sand and have your typical reef grade argonite substrate. What happens is that within 1 month or so the sand gets suffciently coated with bacteria so that the grains stick together and do not blow around. I have a ton of flow in my display and have no issues with my very shallow sandbed. Until the sand solidifies, you may have to be a bit careful with the powerheads. I would think it is a good idea to stay away from a fine grade sand if you go this route.

mlb75 · 11/09/2010, 05:13 PM

the flow was the problem I always had with the very shallow beds, heck I still have issues with my deeper bed. I've got two areas in my tank now that I have to constantly (once a week or so) move sand back into otherwise the glass will show.

When i did the silicone trick it looked like there was sand but could have crazy flow and no visible glass. I went back to a sand bottom on my current tank so I could have sand sifting fish...

mlb75 · 11/09/2010, 05:16 PM

forgot to mention the use of larger substrate will obviously help with it staying in place but will be more of a long term problem as the larger substrates never really fully develop all the required aerobic / anaerobic zones to be beneficial and will inevitably trap much detritus unless vacuumed regularly. Not saying you need to use sugar sized sand but the super coarse stuff brings on it's own list of problems

Scott-CapeCoral · 11/09/2010, 06:06 PM

Plankton, here's something to think about. What if you set this up get all your live-rock and corals in and you absolutely hate it? Sand is very beneficial.....

plankton99 · 11/09/2010, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott-CapeCoral

Plankton, here's something to think about. What if you set this up get all your live-rock and corals in and you absolutely hate it? Sand is very beneficial.....

The more I think about it, i could probably use the buffering effects of the sand and I do want sand sifting fish....

I think I will get the Miniflakes by Tropic Eden from the picture below. Probably about 2-3 inch depth. I just have to be careful on how i adjust my Vortech pump.

BuckeyeTodd · 11/09/2010, 09:57 PM

are you opposed to the normal HDPE for any reason? I found it to be "affordable" at interstateplastics.com

plankton99 · 11/09/2010, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuckeyeTodd

are you opposed to the normal HDPE for any reason? I found it to be "affordable" at interstateplastics.com

Ok, I'll bite... What is HDPE?

BuckeyeTodd · 11/09/2010, 11:57 PM

High-density polyethylene....its used to make cutting board(often referred to as starboard)...its what I use and my lfs(which is huge-world wide corals) uses for all of their tanks...that website will cut custom size sheet for you, you just need to round the edges so it doesn't sit on the silicone of your tank

11/05/2010, 06:05 PM	#1
plankton99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 159	Silicone Bare Bottom I am thinking about using a silicone sheet for my tank with the intent to make it a bare bottom. Please chime in if this is a good idea or not? My Theory: 1) Since nothing grows on the silicone seams (Coraline, algae etc) Silicone would be the ideal for a bare bottom set up. 2) I will be using food grade silicone sheets 100% silicone, this should be safe correct? Here is a link to a sheet i might consider. http://kerekes-bakery-restaurant-equ...source=froogle Love to hear anyone's thoughts. __________________ Plannkton99 Currrent Tank: Elos 70 with DIY LED "I'm not sure what I like more: the reef itself or the technology that supports it" Current Tank Info: Elos 70

11/05/2010, 06:29 PM	#2
Scott-CapeCoral Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cape Coral, Florida Posts: 590	Solid red ?? __________________ I stay out of trouble by telling my fiance that corals cost $5.00 each. "Awe, yea, it was 5 bucks." When life hands you skittles... Throw them at random people and scream "TASTE THE FREAKEN RAINBOW!" Proud brother of a U.S. Soldier. Current Tank Info: 2 side by side 57g Oceanic Illuminata's. Reef Octopus 3000 XP Cone. Each tank has a 250w Radium with t5 retro's. Reeflo Dart powering both tanks and accessories

11/09/2010, 05:49 AM	#6
hottuna Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,248	I'd worry about the edges flapping up in the current or something with a sheet that thin.... __________________ HotTuna

11/09/2010, 09:08 AM	#8
plankton99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 159	Thanks for the replies. I guess it is looking like it will have to be sand. BTW this is the tank... __________________ Plannkton99 Currrent Tank: Elos 70 with DIY LED "I'm not sure what I like more: the reef itself or the technology that supports it" Current Tank Info: Elos 70

11/09/2010, 09:25 AM	#9
das75 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmonton AB Posts: 2,269	you can always just go BB. Only algae I find growing is coralline and some zoas, and mushrooms have taken hold. __________________ . Current Tank Info: 145g Starfire display (mixed reef) w/75g basement sump & 20g refugium, Barracuda return, Dart w/OM 4way CL, AI Hydras and Director.

11/06/2010, 03:15 PM	#4
tmplge Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Granada Hills, CA Posts: 603	coraline and algae do grow on silicone its just a little slower process. I wonder what the chemical effects would be by that amount of colored silicone?

11/09/2010, 10:07 AM	#10
jeff@zina.com Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 3,345	When did you ever see a silicone bottom on the ocean? Or bare glass? Jeff

11/09/2010, 11:39 AM	#13
mlb75 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chesapeake VA Posts: 399	One thing I did on an old tank was cover the bottom of the tank with a very thin layer of aquarium silicone and then sprinkle medium to course gravel over it and press it in (it made a serious mess so wear gloves and tape up the sides of the tank that you don't want silicone on). It took a bit to dry but when it did I had a bare bottom tank that looked like it had substrate. Just another idea... __________________ Mike Current Tank Info: Currently tankless planning ~90G nano

11/09/2010, 01:26 PM	#14
Stuart60611 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 2,979	Why not just go with a very shallow 1/8 of inch or less dusting of sand on the bottom. You get the asthetics of a sand bottom with the benefits of a bare bottom. Seems like the easiest solution. I have done so in my fowlr for qutie a while, and it has worked well.

11/09/2010, 05:13 PM	#18
mlb75 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chesapeake VA Posts: 399	the flow was the problem I always had with the very shallow beds, heck I still have issues with my deeper bed. I've got two areas in my tank now that I have to constantly (once a week or so) move sand back into otherwise the glass will show. When i did the silicone trick it looked like there was sand but could have crazy flow and no visible glass. I went back to a sand bottom on my current tank so I could have sand sifting fish... __________________ Mike Current Tank Info: Currently tankless planning ~90G nano

11/09/2010, 05:16 PM	#19
mlb75 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chesapeake VA Posts: 399	forgot to mention the use of larger substrate will obviously help with it staying in place but will be more of a long term problem as the larger substrates never really fully develop all the required aerobic / anaerobic zones to be beneficial and will inevitably trap much detritus unless vacuumed regularly. Not saying you need to use sugar sized sand but the super coarse stuff brings on it's own list of problems __________________ Mike Current Tank Info: Currently tankless planning ~90G nano

11/09/2010, 06:06 PM	#20
Scott-CapeCoral Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cape Coral, Florida Posts: 590	Plankton, here's something to think about. What if you set this up get all your live-rock and corals in and you absolutely hate it? Sand is very beneficial..... __________________ I stay out of trouble by telling my fiance that corals cost $5.00 each. "Awe, yea, it was 5 bucks." When life hands you skittles... Throw them at random people and scream "TASTE THE FREAKEN RAINBOW!" Proud brother of a U.S. Soldier. Current Tank Info: 2 side by side 57g Oceanic Illuminata's. Reef Octopus 3000 XP Cone. Each tank has a 250w Radium with t5 retro's. Reeflo Dart powering both tanks and accessories

11/09/2010, 09:57 PM	#22
BuckeyeTodd Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Orlando Posts: 1,054	are you opposed to the normal HDPE for any reason? I found it to be "affordable" at interstateplastics.com

11/09/2010, 11:57 PM	#24
BuckeyeTodd Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Orlando Posts: 1,054	High-density polyethylene....its used to make cutting board(often referred to as starboard)...its what I use and my lfs(which is huge-world wide corals) uses for all of their tanks...that website will cut custom size sheet for you, you just need to round the edges so it doesn't sit on the silicone of your tank

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