Pics of my new Epoxy faux Sandbed...

[SMI]

Newbie ALERT! :D

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 $$ :eek:

Thanks!! Steve.

Ignore the watermark please.

http://imagehost.vendio.com/preview/st/steveniacono/SandprebucketLR.jpg

http://imagehost.vendio.com/preview/st/steveniacono/Sandpredry.jpg

http://imagehost.vendio.com/preview/st/steveniacono/Sandpreseperate.jpg

http://imagehost.vendio.com/preview/st/steveniacono/Sandpreshells.jpg

http://imagehost.vendio.com/preview/st/steveniacono/Sandprecook.jpg

http://imagehost.vendio.com/preview/st/steveniacono/Sandmove.jpg

http://imagehost.vendio.com/preview/st/steveniacono/Sandsetting.jpg

http://imagehost.vendio.com/preview/st/steveniacono/Sandshift.jpg

http://imagehost.vendio.com/preview/st/steveniacono/Sandfix.jpg

http://imagehost.vendio.com/preview/st/steveniacono/Sandbum.jpg

http://imagehost.vendio.com/preview/st/steveniacono/Sandclose.jpg

These are sort of in order...

[Shouse94]

nice,
u think ur sandbed will attract coraline?

[jjmg]

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]

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. :D

[SMI]

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

[jjmg]

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]

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]

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]

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

[SMI]

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/st/steveniacono/Sandmess.jpg

http://imagehost.vendio.com/preview/st/steveniacono/SandDONE.jpg

Thanks!

[chrismunn]

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

[SMI]

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

[SMI]

resist (oops).

[SMI]

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/st/steveniacono/Sand2side.jpg

http://imagehost.vendio.com/preview/st/steveniacono/Sand2top.JPG

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

More to come...

[SMI]

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]

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

We want more sandbums!:inlove:

[SMI]

LOL! She wasn't happy! :D

[Gawain1974]

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]

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/st/steveniacono/SandProfile.JPG

[psycho_clown]

looks pretty cool.

[SpaceFish]

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... :eek: :D

[louisxyz]

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]

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

[SMI]

"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]

Boston.. Occupation: nothing

Yanks in 05

[SMI]

louisxyz, Tough to say. If I where to do it again I would lay Epoxy minus the sand and simply sift the sand on top. The Epoxy Resin is actually pretty expensive, I don't think I would do it if I had a larger tank. I wont endorse this method until I can test it and see how it reactive to the water/salt and exposer to intense light. I will keep you posted, Steve.

I contacted the manufacturer, he claims that there should be no adverse affects...

[louisxyz]

Thanks SMI, i was thinking using that on a 45 Gallons tanks, the way I see it is to do this on a acrylic sheet slightly smaller than the tanks, once the epoxy is dry, i will than install the sheet inside the tank, an use a small silicone bean to make sure no water is forc under the sheet.

[louisxyz]

By the way, di you add another layer of epoxy after to smooth the surface.

[SMI]

No, I wanted a very coarse matte finish, but I certainly considered the glossy smooth. I guess you have to ask yourself if you want the Coralline, go with the rough...if you want to be able to remove it, go with the gloss. I literally just finished setting up the reef and I am going to setup one of those "I am a Newbie look at my first tank" thread...LOL! Keep an eye for it. Pretty pleased with it. I also performed Ni, Na, Ammonia, Calcium, Ph and Phosphate tests with good readings (I think? HaHa!). Thanks!! Steve.

[Ulric]

wonder if sand-sifting type critters would develop 'mental' issues.. looks like sand, feels like sand...can't move it.:D

[selgado]

Originally posted by Ulric
wonder if sand-sifting type critters would develop 'mental' issues.. looks like sand, feels like sand...can't move it.:D

Now that's what I call caring for your animals. ;)