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

mattjk · 06/23/2004, 05:12 PM

I went to the local plastics store today, and they have Pour-On high gloss epoxy. It's the stuff used to make thick glossy coverings on wooden plaques and so forth. Anyhow, talking to the guy there, he said it would stick well to glass and acrylic, and I could mix in a bunch of sand. After I poured the mixture in the bottom of the tank, smooth it out with a stick, I could then lightly sprinkle sand on top. Or, don't mix in any sand and just sprinkle the sand on top.

I bought a small kit, so I may try it on a small tank tonight.

Matt

http://www.eti-usa.com/consum/envtex/envlite.htm

jasonross · 06/23/2004, 05:17 PM

Thats sounds like it might be the next starboard.. keep us posted verry intresting if you get any photos or how it looks let me know.

jasonross · 06/23/2004, 05:18 PM

OH whats the price on that stuff?

mattjk · 06/23/2004, 05:24 PM

dude, your avatar is freaking me out!

the 4oz kit was $6.99. It covers 1sq feet.

1/2 gallon kit covers 16sq feet, and was around $14?

jasonross · 06/23/2004, 05:26 PM

thats pretty cheap well untill they find out reefers are using it..lol sorry about the avatar I have been looking for a new one but nothing I have found is even close...

mattjk · 06/23/2004, 05:32 PM

jasonross · 06/23/2004, 05:35 PM

that last one is cool..

scbauer · 06/23/2004, 05:55 PM

Is that a recorded car accident (the last one)?

-Scott

P.S. - That stuff does look pretty cool... I remember seeing someone do that a while back. Can't find the thread, but he wanted to go bare-bottom so he either used concrete or epoxy and put sand on top. Formed it so it wasn't just flat, and it looked like a nice sand bed that never moved.

mattjk · 06/24/2004, 08:56 PM

WOW, this stuff is awesome!!! I'm am SO happy with the way it turned out. I will post pics later tonight.

I mixed sand into it, and poured in into a small tank, the stuff spread out by itself, very nicely. Then I sprinkled more sand on top until it soaked up all the mixture. Cool thing is, I put it on kinda thick, so the side of the sand bed shows up nicely!

Very cool stuff!

Toutouche · 06/24/2004, 09:03 PM

Jason,
I wouldn't change that avatar if I were you..., it's very neat!!!

Matt,
Anxious to see pics. Now, all you have to do is figure out how to get some other colors such as pinks, greens, browns and blacks down along the side between this stuff and the glass and you'll have an instant mature DSB showing!!!

mattjk · 06/24/2004, 09:08 PM

mattjk · 06/24/2004, 09:09 PM

mattjk · 06/24/2004, 09:11 PM

I had an idea... after the entire thing dries, you can go over it with another coat, that way the surface would be smooth, and les prone to catching detrius.

Toutouche · 06/24/2004, 09:12 PM

Please!!! Tell me that's JUST sand and none of that product!!! It looks perfect!!! Can't even tell it's there!! I hope you aren't going to get nay burrowing wrasses or such..., they're going to have LOTS of headaches!!

mattjk · 06/24/2004, 09:16 PM

Doesn't it look perfect? This stuff is amazing!

I have a pair of scooter Blennies... they are going to have to find a new way to sleep

Wow, I wonder how much I will need for a 48x15"

cheeto · 06/24/2004, 09:17 PM

Can you get a picutre with the tank upside down ? =)

mattjk · 06/24/2004, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cheeto
Can you get a picutre with the tank upside down ? =)

I will tomorrow after it is fully cured.

BlennyBabe · 06/24/2004, 10:02 PM

This definately looks promising. It reminds me of the foam people were using to aquascape. I bet you could set some rocks in it to hold them secure or even spread it on the back wall and stick some shelves of live rock in it and then just let it dry. That would be really cool. Do you think it could yellow at all? I wonder how safe it would be to have in your tank, you know, maybe it leaches something out eventually.
Anyway, it looks amazing. post more pictures soon!

Tremelle · 06/24/2004, 10:02 PM

That does look nice. Is it saltwater safe? What kind of release of vapor or fumes did the product have?

mattjk · 06/24/2004, 10:24 PM

I was assured that it would not yellow, or leach out when completely cured.

NicoleC · 06/24/2004, 10:41 PM

I think you need to long-term test that stuff for reef compatibility. It may not leach anything into the air -- but salt water is a different environment entirely. I have no idea what to test FOR, though.

If it truly doesn't produce any by-products, that could be sweet for ya'll BB types.

mattjk · 06/24/2004, 10:50 PM

Well, the guy gave me an example of epoxy that is used for sealing powerheads, Same stuff... but who knows. I'm going setup my pico reef again after the faux bed cures fully. I guess I can do somekind of water tests on it. Maybe Randy in the chemistry forum can chime in.

mattjk · 06/24/2004, 10:53 PM

I sent the manufacturer an email.

Hi,

I'm interested in using Envirotex Lite in a Salt Water Aquarium. Would this be safe to use? Will it leach any harmful checmicals?

Thank you,
Matt

Lostmind · 06/24/2004, 11:04 PM

Pretty neat idea.

OUinLA · 06/24/2004, 11:07 PM

Your right, lots of stuff like this is used in equipment we already have submerged. I hope this is one of them. It's much nicer looking than another attempt i've seen of this on RC. Thanks for the info.

06/23/2004, 05:12 PM	#1
mattjk Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 814	Idea for Faux sand bed. Envirotex Lite high gloss finish. I went to the local plastics store today, and they have Pour-On high gloss epoxy. It's the stuff used to make thick glossy coverings on wooden plaques and so forth. Anyhow, talking to the guy there, he said it would stick well to glass and acrylic, and I could mix in a bunch of sand. After I poured the mixture in the bottom of the tank, smooth it out with a stick, I could then lightly sprinkle sand on top. Or, don't mix in any sand and just sprinkle the sand on top. I bought a small kit, so I may try it on a small tank tonight. Matt http://www.eti-usa.com/consum/envtex/envlite.htm

06/23/2004, 05:55 PM	#8
scbauer The Buff Reefer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,699	Is that a recorded car accident (the last one)? -Scott P.S. - That stuff does look pretty cool... I remember seeing someone do that a while back. Can't find the thread, but he wanted to go bare-bottom so he either used concrete or epoxy and put sand on top. Formed it so it wasn't just flat, and it looked like a nice sand bed that never moved. __________________ offical member of the "WIAGAS" club "Wondering If Anybody Gives A ...." ...for when your thread has 50 posts, and 48 of them are yours Current Tank Info: No tank. Got out of the hobby in 2011 but I’ll be back one day!

06/24/2004, 09:03 PM	#10
Toutouche Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 3,133	Jason, I wouldn't change that avatar if I were you..., it's very neat!!! Matt, Anxious to see pics. Now, all you have to do is figure out how to get some other colors such as pinks, greens, browns and blacks down along the side between this stuff and the glass and you'll have an instant mature DSB showing!!! __________________ Remember, the Titanic was built by Professionals, but the Ark was built by amateurs!

06/24/2004, 09:12 PM	#14
Toutouche Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 3,133	Please!!! Tell me that's JUST sand and none of that product!!! It looks perfect!!! Can't even tell it's there!! I hope you aren't going to get nay burrowing wrasses or such..., they're going to have LOTS of headaches!! __________________ Remember, the Titanic was built by Professionals, but the Ark was built by amateurs!

06/24/2004, 10:02 PM	#18
BlennyBabe Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Gig Harbor, Wa Posts: 661	This definately looks promising. It reminds me of the foam people were using to aquascape. I bet you could set some rocks in it to hold them secure or even spread it on the back wall and stick some shelves of live rock in it and then just let it dry. That would be really cool. Do you think it could yellow at all? I wonder how safe it would be to have in your tank, you know, maybe it leaches something out eventually. Anyway, it looks amazing. post more pictures soon! __________________ Home is where your tank is... Rachel Current Tank Info: 75 gallon, sps & lps dominated,

06/23/2004, 05:17 PM	#2
jasonross Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Kansas City Posts: 382	Thats sounds like it might be the next starboard.. keep us posted verry intresting if you get any photos or how it looks let me know.

06/23/2004, 05:18 PM	#3
jasonross Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Kansas City Posts: 382	OH whats the price on that stuff?

06/23/2004, 05:24 PM	#4
mattjk Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 814	dude, your avatar is freaking me out! the 4oz kit was $6.99. It covers 1sq feet. 1/2 gallon kit covers 16sq feet, and was around $14?

06/23/2004, 05:26 PM	#5
jasonross Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Kansas City Posts: 382	thats pretty cheap well untill they find out reefers are using it..lol sorry about the avatar I have been looking for a new one but nothing I have found is even close...

06/23/2004, 05:32 PM	#6
mattjk Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 814

06/23/2004, 05:35 PM	#7
jasonross Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Kansas City Posts: 382	that last one is cool..

06/24/2004, 08:56 PM	#9
mattjk Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 814	WOW, this stuff is awesome!!! I'm am SO happy with the way it turned out. I will post pics later tonight. I mixed sand into it, and poured in into a small tank, the stuff spread out by itself, very nicely. Then I sprinkled more sand on top until it soaked up all the mixture. Cool thing is, I put it on kinda thick, so the side of the sand bed shows up nicely! Very cool stuff!

06/24/2004, 09:08 PM	#11
mattjk Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 814

06/24/2004, 09:09 PM	#12
mattjk Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 814

06/24/2004, 09:11 PM	#13
mattjk Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 814	I had an idea... after the entire thing dries, you can go over it with another coat, that way the surface would be smooth, and les prone to catching detrius.

06/24/2004, 09:16 PM	#15
mattjk Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 814	Doesn't it look perfect? This stuff is amazing! I have a pair of scooter Blennies... they are going to have to find a new way to sleep Wow, I wonder how much I will need for a 48x15"

06/24/2004, 09:17 PM	#16
cheeto Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: New Orleans Posts: 391	Can you get a picutre with the tank upside down ? =)

06/24/2004, 10:02 PM	#19
Tremelle Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 929	That does look nice. Is it saltwater safe? What kind of release of vapor or fumes did the product have?

06/24/2004, 10:24 PM	#20
mattjk Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 814	I was assured that it would not yellow, or leach out when completely cured.

06/24/2004, 10:41 PM	#21
NicoleC Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Madison, AL Posts: 8,875	I think you need to long-term test that stuff for reef compatibility. It may not leach anything into the air -- but salt water is a different environment entirely. I have no idea what to test FOR, though. If it truly doesn't produce any by-products, that could be sweet for ya'll BB types. __________________ Don't count your gobies before they've metamorphasized. Current Tank Info: 40g Indo-Pacific lagoon with tank bred livestock

06/24/2004, 10:50 PM	#22
mattjk Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 814	Well, the guy gave me an example of epoxy that is used for sealing powerheads, Same stuff... but who knows. I'm going setup my pico reef again after the faux bed cures fully. I guess I can do somekind of water tests on it. Maybe Randy in the chemistry forum can chime in.

06/24/2004, 10:53 PM	#23
mattjk Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 814	I sent the manufacturer an email. Hi, I'm interested in using Envirotex Lite in a Salt Water Aquarium. Would this be safe to use? Will it leach any harmful checmicals? Thank you, Matt

06/24/2004, 11:04 PM	#24
Lostmind Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Vancouver Posts: 270	Pretty neat idea.

06/24/2004, 11:07 PM	#25
OUinLA Moved On Join Date: May 2003 Location: Los Angeles (San Fernando Valley) Posts: 2,541	Your right, lots of stuff like this is used in equipment we already have submerged. I hope this is one of them. It's much nicer looking than another attempt i've seen of this on RC. Thanks for the info.