Pics of my new Epoxy faux Sandbed...

SMI · #1 04/05/2005, 09:41 PM

Newbie ALERT!

If enough interest, I will post detailed instruction. The technique and or materials involved was/where deliberate. I was trying to achieve and avoid the following:

ACHEIVE...

-Realism
-White sand
-semi-smooth
-uniform grain
-relatively level.

AVOID...

-Fake (duh.)
-Muddy appearance
-Cracking (sorry dude...)
-excess weight
-sand shifting
-bacteria accumulation

I think it was a success. The tank is elevated 1.5" (fan cooling) and will remain that way until Thurs. At that time I will brush excess sand and test. The whole process took about 6 hours. Not allot of $$

Shouse94 · #2 04/05/2005, 09:44 PM

nice,
u think ur sandbed will attract coraline?

jjmg · #3 04/05/2005, 09:46 PM

Looks pretty good, but will you be able to keep coraline from growing on it? I think the shifting of the grains is what ends up keeping the sand white and not coraline covered. I know I shifted one tank to barebottom and the coraline took over in no time. Or is that what your looking for?

SMI · #4 04/05/2005, 09:48 PM

Again I am pretty new, co forgive my poor terminology. I know most are looking to deter coraline on the SB, however to answer your question...

I HOPE so! Thanks!! Steve.

SMI · #5 04/05/2005, 09:49 PM

I am in this for the long haul so I can keep long-term results posted. Steve...

jjmg · #6 04/05/2005, 09:52 PM

So you want coraline? I believe so. Your sand came out looking better than others I've seen, so how did you do it? Your sand bed seems to look more realistic than some of the others.

Details!!! (not about the sandbum, although the wife liked it)

SMI · #7 04/05/2005, 10:00 PM

I will post the details tomorrow. Very tired! Going to bed, I kept very accurate measurements, durations, prep etc. I will tell you this. The sand (LFS, not The Depot) was washed, filtered twice (2 different size colanders) and then sifted in several intervals. As the moisture would leach to the surface, I would sift more. This gave the appearance of very coarse sandpaper (eventually). The product remained tacky enough to do this for about 2-3 hours. I actually have a welt where the tambourine action took place on my hand (ouch!). I will post a another pic in a minute. Thanks! Steve.

jjmg · #8 04/05/2005, 10:09 PM

It does look really good, that's worth a few blisters! I'd hate to have it covered in coraline though after all that work.

Shouse94 · #9 04/05/2005, 10:14 PM

there seems to be one pic out of place (sandbum)

SMI · #10 04/05/2005, 10:20 PM

Here are 2 more pics. (I love pics!)

I put the tank on its side and taped to release the excess sand...nothing! That stuff is on there! Note that there is no-longer glossy "pools" of epoxy or air bubbles, I wanted it to feel like real sand as well as appear.

http://imagehost.vendio.com/preview/...o/Sandmess.jpg

http://imagehost.vendio.com/preview/...o/SandDONE.jpg

Thanks!

chrismunn · #11 04/05/2005, 10:22 PM

i like the second to last tank pic, i think i waana try doing it too!
haha just kidding

SMI · #12 04/05/2005, 10:22 PM

She was cleaning the sand off the sides..My wife (couldn't resit!)...Sorry.

SMI · #13 04/05/2005, 10:23 PM

resist (oops).

SMI · #14 04/08/2005, 07:45 PM

Here are some updated pics, I think I am going to make sand molds with these rock/cardboard templates.

1. Press firmly into corn starch
2. Pour the sand/Epoxy slurry in corn starch (Heavy on the sand).
3. Once cured place in tank
4. Epoxy completed sand mounds to the Faux sand bed.

Note the cool rock that looks like LR, I am going to try to make LR once the Faux-bed is done.

http://imagehost.vendio.com/preview/.../Sand2side.jpg

http://imagehost.vendio.com/preview/...o/Sand2top.JPG

http://imagehost.vendio.com/preview/.../Sand2rock.JPG

More to come...

SMI · #15 04/08/2005, 07:47 PM

Oh yeah, The reason for the mounds is I want water movement under the LR and I want critters to have more surface area to roam (swim?)...

selgado · #16 04/09/2005, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SMI
She was cleaning the sand off the sides..My wife (couldn't resit!)...Sorry.

We want more sandbums!

SMI · #17 04/09/2005, 09:02 PM

LOL! She wasn't happy!

Gawain1974 · #18 04/09/2005, 09:17 PM

Looks awesome...I think faux sandbeds offer a nice alternative to the starboard bb look. I'm curious to see your longterm results, and others with faux beds. Good work so far!

SMI · #19 04/10/2005, 09:05 PM

Thanks, Re: longterm results...I hope it holds up, I have no MH so should not break down via UV rays.

I am starting to feel like an archaeologist, LOL...Steve.

http://imagehost.vendio.com/preview/...andProfile.JPG

psycho_clown · #20 04/10/2005, 09:19 PM

looks pretty cool.

SpaceFish · #21 04/10/2005, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SMI
She was cleaning the sand off the sides..My wife (couldn't resit!)...Sorry. I have a few more pix if you want to see em

No prob...

louisxyz · #22 04/15/2005, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SMI
I will post the details tomorrow. Very tired! Going to bed, I kept very accurate measurements, durations, prep etc. I will tell you this. The sand (LFS, not The Depot) was washed, filtered twice (2 different size colanders) and then sifted in several intervals. As the moisture would leach to the surface, I would sift more. This gave the appearance of very coarse sandpaper (eventually). The product remained tacky enough to do this for about 2-3 hours. I actually have a welt where the tambourine action took place on my hand (ouch!). I will post a another pic in a minute. Thanks! Steve.

What was the proportion you use between epoxy and sand?
Great job by the way

DiggerDave · #23 04/15/2005, 11:46 AM

Mybe you can make some fake fish and fake coral.. that would look really cool

SMI · #24 04/15/2005, 12:05 PM

"Mybe you can make some fake fish and fake coral.. that would look really cool"

Mybe you can lern to spel?

Occupation: Construction? ...How about "Construction worker"?

Greatest choke in sports history...Go Yanks!

DiggerDave · #25 04/15/2005, 12:11 PM

Boston.. Occupation: nothing

Yanks in 05