Who has a barebottom or false bottom tank? (1 Viewer)

[FOR3VER_3XILED]

I am setting up a tank I know I will probably have to move in 6 months to a year and so I'm going to go without sand and make the move less of a hassle. SO who has a bare bottom or false bottom tank? Lets seem em! and maybe hear a bit about how you like/dislike it and why. Thanks! Pete

 

[patent]

I put an epoxy layer down on the bottom and sprinkled sand into it. Looks like a sandbed, but isn't. I love it, though at times if I get excess algae it clings to it more than it would to either a true BB or sandbed.

PS, sorry, no pics of it handy.

 

[FOR3VER_3XILED]

I put an epoxy layer down on the bottom and sprinkled sand into it. Looks like a sandbed, but isn't. I love it, though at times if I get excess algae it clings to it more than it would to either a true BB or sandbed.

PS, sorry, no pics of it handy.

Did you follow Geoff's method on thereeftankl? That seemed really nice but a lot of steps to do it

 

[1Tlew0]

I have a little 15g rimless tank thats barebottom. I havent had any issues yet, but its only been up for a few days. Will post pics later when I get home from work. Its still a work in progress.

 

[stuckey_t]

I'm working on a 120 as we speak that will have black starboard for a bottom. Also back glass is black and overflow black etc...so far I really like the look and will be able to amp up tons of flow. Stay tuned for my build thread I'm gonna post shortly....:beerchug:

 

[FOR3VER_3XILED]

I'm in the middle of my build.... I should probably start a thread....:biggrin::lots:

 

[patent]

Did you follow Geoff's method on thereeftankl? That seemed really nice but a lot of steps to do it

I'm not sure where I got the ideas, but it wasn't mine. Based on your comment, I went looking for Geoff's thread and found this one: http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/f76/diy-epoxy-sand-bottom-66246.html

Mine is a bit different than the one described in that thread. I didn't use an HDPE layer below the epoxy. I also didn't embed the live rock into the epoxy, I wanted to be able to move things later, though i can see value in doing it that way, it wasn't ideal for me. I ALWAYS wind up wanting to get at something or another, sooner or later. So I don't like permanently affixing anything.

I didn't try to put my epoxy in sections. I've worked enough with epoxy I don't plan on ever removing it. I also didn't try homogenizing from different kits. If you can look at my tank and see where one epoxy kit ends and another starts, you have way better eyes than I do. Especially a couple years later.

I also poured the epoxy in the tank, and sprinkled the sand bed into it. I don't like the premix methods he used much, too much work and too many garbage containers when done.

Also, I saw a note to this making the tank heavy, it does. So I did mine when it was already on the stand. Little harder to work in, but it wasn't a big deal for me. Mine is a 180, I can still move it w/ the fake sand bed, but its definitely harder. A smaller tank I'd say it doesn't matter where you pour it at.

Edit to add: since I was doing mine directly into the tank, I did it in sections, and thinner layers, I just didn't let any layer dry before the next one. This is to avoid expansion, which may or may not be a problem.

 

[mrbill]

I'm running a BB 215 and Jon's 120 (see it in the tank build forum) is BB as well as his previous 57G tank. Only way to go IMO. Heres a bad photo but you get the idea.

 

[shadowz40]

I did this at one point. If you do the fake sand bottom, have some extra loose sand to blow around to help keep the algae from growing on it.

 

[this1fish]

i run a 10G rimless been up since april. just look at my thread in the advance/nano section.

the only problem i have with it is the debris. they cant settle so there is normally debria flying around. i syphon them out all the time durong w/c but they are always there. Other than that it is a very clean and awesome look!