BIG PICS Epoxy Sand Bed Complete, Newb and 1st Tank/Attempt @ Aqua-scape so be gentle

SMI · #1 04/21/2005, 08:20 PM

Well it took a while but I am please with the results. Eventually I am going to build a fuge with a DSB. Here are the pics...

(If you want more info/pics about the bed you can check my "other post by this user"). Steve.

Disregard the Mickey Mouse canopy, Tom @ Aquactinics is currently retrofitting my OEM hood with T5's. Should be here next week! SCWEET!

thedude15810 · #2 04/21/2005, 09:10 PM

I'll be the first one say something, it looks really good man! I really am interested in the idea of an epoxy sandbed but am interested to see what they look like over a year or so. Will the coralline look natural or out of place? Why did you decide to go barebottom? I really do like the branch look of the rock, and what are you planning on keeping?

John

pperez · #3 04/21/2005, 09:29 PM

I'm thinking about doing the same, i'm just concerned about any negative reaction over time. Once i am convinced i will give it a shot. I love the mound effects. Good job!

SMI · #4 04/21/2005, 09:39 PM

To be quite honest, I basically got the tank for free...That being said, if I screwed up, no big loss. After doing some homework I determined I was not ready for a DSB (however I will do one soon in a fuge) but I didn't like the look of a BB. The Epoxy breaking down chemically is no concern, Epoxy has been used in aquarium hobby for sometime however I am also interested in long term effects. I spoke to the manufacture, he assured me not to worry??? I am going to do a 55 or 75 in a year or so with a DSB. I would not do the ESB again, not that I don't like it, I love it however...each thin layer required finesse, grinding (dremel) and sanding (imagine trying to sand cement with sandpaper!). VERY EXPENSIVE! Required 4 kits to do what I wanted @ $30.- a kit! Finally, its a one shot deal...I you screw up its kinda permanent (LOL!). I am plumbing the bottom for high water flow (500-600 GPH or so). This may hinder the Coraline, may not. I actually kind of look forward to it. Thanks!! Steve.

BarryF · #5 04/21/2005, 09:41 PM

That rock is awesome, what type and where did you get it from?

*edit: nice job on the sandbed too.

SMI · #6 04/21/2005, 09:45 PM

Also I wanted to kinda "suspend" the LR with as little contact as possible with the bed. Wanted to see more of the tank overall (sorry bristle stars). The reef, consisting of about 50-60lbs of LR sits on about 10-15 little sand pedestals about the size of a quarter a piece, should provide good water movement. I adding some bubbles to the PH...the path of the water was wild! twisting and turning around all the little mounds/feet. Steve.

SMI · #7 04/21/2005, 09:56 PM

HA! The 3 large branches on the left cost more than the tank, stand, filter and heater ($100.00)! The rock is 8 years old and was $12.00 a pound! Some Dentist took down his tank and sold it back to the LFS, 100lbs sold out in about an hour! I bought about 18lbs total...I guess I was at the right place at the right time. Again I am actually pretty new, when I bought it I had no idea how nice it actually was and almost reconsidered. Bought the rest on Ebay...about $5.- a pound also a pretty old tank. I will stock in a few weeks, got to read a bot more. HH include the mystery Anemone, the Zoo's a bunch of Bristle worms, feather-dusters that funky whitish brain-like thing (growing pretty fast) and that brown-ish purple tree think on the small bridge (also growing like a weed!). Steve.