Glued Sand Bottoms?

Funky_Fish14 · #1 12-12-2005, 04:23 AM

Hello Everyone,

I am posting today because im wondering what types of glues and methods people have used to have glued sandbeds. I would like to lay a thin layer of glued crushed coral/large grain aragonite on the bottom of my 75g tank, so that I can have high flow, yet still replicate the sand-bottom look and be able to syphon detrius off the bottom fairly easily.

I was thinking about using silicon, however I think that will take alot of silicon to do. Im not sure what types of glues have been used in the past, maybe epoxy resins? I was even thinking maybe even 'foam in a can' for example 'great stuff'.

Thank-you for any help or suggestions!

Take care,

Chris

dirtyreefer · #2 12-12-2005, 05:05 AM

I think you can use epoxy resins, do a search for "Faux sandbeds" on ReefCentral. There's quite a few posts about it there.

Funky_Fish14 · #3 12-12-2005, 05:45 AM

So I have found! Thanks for the tip! I think im going to try and find an appropriate epoxy resin!

Chris

Chin_Lee · #4 12-12-2005, 06:34 AM

I can't remember the name brand they used on that tread on reefcentral but they sell the same ones at most plastic stores (plasticworks/industrial plastics) and also at Michael's craft store

Ruth · #5 12-12-2005, 06:36 AM

You know I was thinking about doing this as well but decided against it because after reading through quite a few different threads it seems that you are just going to get coralline growing on it anyway so at the end of the day you are going to end up with a bumpy bottom or a smooth bottom on your tank. Maybe I just missed something but somehow that made sense to me. Anyway just my 2 pennies worth.

deacon hemp · #6 12-12-2005, 08:18 AM

Im going with starboard because as ruth said its going to become coralline covered anyway,and starboard doesnt grow bad algea because its smoother.

Ruth · #7 12-12-2005, 11:01 AM

I went with starboard as well (black).

Psyire · #8 12-12-2005, 06:10 PM

How do you like the Black Starboard?

May I ask where you got it?

Ruth · #9 12-12-2005, 07:03 PM

So far I like it just fine - it's easy to see crappola on the bottom to vacume out but like I said I don't know that colour is going to make a difference once it is covered in coralline. I got it from the cutting board factory out of the US.

deacon hemp · #10 12-12-2005, 07:27 PM

Theres also a place in surrey that sells it www.plasticworks.ca,I have black starboard for a few tanks.A question ruth,did you silicon it down or just use the rock to keep it down?and are you worried about trapping detritus underneath over time?It turns out its cheaper than sand too.

EDIT:sorry ruth just curious.....did you do the recomended upgrades that go with the BB method? like oversize skimmer,or run ozone,uv,ect?