Fake sandbeds!

[tyler1503]

I was wondering if anyone has any ideas for a fake sandbed? I have a few, but would like to hear other peoples ideas first while I work out some issues with my ideas.
It amazes me that most people want the look of a sandbed, but the ease of a bare bottom, but I don't see any fake sandbed threads!

 

[Eckolancer]

I like no sand bed in my tanks and use the black plexi bottom. Is that fake enough :)

 

[tyler1503]

Good idea! My tanks bare bottom at the moment and I hate seeing under the tank onto the stand. The plexiglass is a great way to prevent that! Did you custom build the tank or just cut the plexi to size and lay it on the bottom?

 

[rhardman]

Look at Starboard, Cut to Size King Starboard Marine Grade Plastic Sheet

 

[rhardman]

WWC has used Starboard also. See https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/world-wide-corals/60964-wwc-630g-build-thread-300g-down-19.html

 

[tyler1503]

That looks good! Maybe carve a more natural shape into it, add a layer of silicon and throw some sand of top for a realistic texture and I may have a winner.
Any further ideas are welcome guys! Keep them coming!

 

[FishLipz]

I've heard of people using travertine tile as a bottom. It comes in natural substrate colors but I'd imagine you would have to keep the coralline from growing over it by scraping it regularly.

 

[stunreefer]

Google search faux sandbed. Many people did not like the outcome, long term.

 

[Fin]

Seems like I remember seeing in other places where people tried a mixture of sand and resin, but some of the tanks cracked during the curing process. Wouldn't try that one.

 

[tyler1503]

All good ideas!
I've heard people using tiles too, but my concern would be seeing a gap in between each tile and detritus building up underneath. I'm sure there's a way to prevent that though.
Thanks for the link stunreefer.
I'm going to do a small scale test with what fin suggested when funds allow in an old 3gal, although ill use an epoxy and cure it in an old plastic container, hopefully that will prevent any cracking

 

[ddavies564]

I mixed sand and clear epoxy. It looked awesome and functioned perfectly. Only bummer was in 6 months it no longer had the bright white pop like normal sand.

 

[AdamsB]

There's a spray paint in a can that imitates stone. I've seen it sprayed on the outside bottom and it's essentially a bare bottom but with a Stoney/sandy look.

http://www.krylon.com/products/make-it-stone-textured-paint/

 

[Eckolancer]

Good idea! My tanks bare bottom at the moment and I hate seeing under the tank onto the stand. The plexiglass is a great way to prevent that! Did you custom build the tank or just cut the plexi to size and lay it on the bottom?

Mine is starboard I believe built by planet aquariums

 

[Eckolancer]

There's a spray paint in a can that imitates stone. I've seen it sprayed on the outside bottom and it's essentially a bare bottom but with a Stoney/sandy look.

http://www.krylon.com/products/make-it-stone-textured-paint/

Dont think I would use that in a tank.

 

[Eienna]

I saw a product used on a tank bottom called PondShield. Comes out pretty nice.

 

[Rize2]

Dont think I would use that in a tank.

It says bottom outside...

 

[johnanddawn]

All good ideas!
I've heard people using tiles too, but my concern would be seeing a gap in between each tile and detritus building up underneath. I'm sure there's a way to prevent that though.
Thanks for the link stunreefer.
I'm going to do a small scale test with what fin suggested when funds allow in an old 3gal, although ill use an epoxy and cure it in an old plastic container, hopefully that will prevent any cracking

I have a granite tile bottom, works nice. You could use any type of stone as long as it is basically inert. If your worried about detritus you can silicon caulk the edges. I didn't worry about it and don't really have a problem, think of it this way, the small amount of detritus in the gaps is nothing compared to the huge amount of gunk sand beds hold. And the weight of the 12x12 tiles combined with rock piled on them ensures nothing of matter gets under them
The natural stone look of the granite combined with coralline growth gives it a nice natural reef look, although obviously not bright white like clean sand
The only downfall of bb is if you wanted to keep sand dwelling fish

 

[FishLipz]

You could always use the container of sand behind the rock work trick if you want a place for burrowing wrasses and such.

 

[TheSaint216]

I went with white Starboard. I think it makes the corals Pop. I did white instead of black because supposably the black would absorb the light, just what I read and didnt care to experiment. I didnt silicone the edges. I take a turkey baster before a water change and go along the edges so it goes back into my socks and can be skimmed up. Here's a pic below.

 

[Eckolancer]

I went with white Starboard. I think it makes the corals Pop. I did white instead of black because supposably the black would absorb the light, just what I read and didnt care to experiment. I didnt silicone the edges. I take a turkey baster before a water change and go along the edges so it goes back into my socks and can be skimmed up. Here's a pic below.

Really like that white starboard look.