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Black HDPE for bare bottom? (1 Viewer)

tico mike

Shhhh, is he gone?
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I'm picking up some black HDPE sheeting on Saturday morning. I don't have much info on it, other than it's 8 feet long by 18 inches wide by 1/4" thick. Is there any reason I can't use this as my false bottom? I've been searching, but can't find any definitive discussion. I will use it elsewhere in the set up if needed. Just wondering if there are "types" to avoid using on the bottom of a reef tank...
 
Careful with the thin stuff, it will bow like mad on you(I used thinner stuff the first time, way bad idea). In the end I think one needs to glue it down anyways as my 1/2 stuff is bowing too now.
 
Careful with the thin stuff, it will bow like mad on you(I used thinner stuff the first time, way bad idea). In the end I think one needs to glue it down anyways as my 1/2 stuff is bowing too now.

What would your thoughts be on giving it a rough sanding and then coating it will reef safe cement to weigh it down, keep it from bowing and give it a more natural look?
 
Some folks have done a sand/epoxy mix to have the natural look but never have junk accumulate in the sand. All in what your going for, in hindsight I wish I would have done gray/black instead of white and then something to prevent bowing (I have a big area with no rocks might be part of it).
 
I'm thinking about the sand/epoxy on black. Use aquarium silicone to adhere to the bottom. My rock structure will be pretty open.
 
I decided to use aquarium safe silicone and doubled quarter inch sheets together and then siliconed it all down to the bottom of the 90 gallon. It turned out really nice actually.
 
Good to hear it turned out nice. I have a sheet of black acrylic I need to cut down for my bare bottom, but am wondering if I need a 2nd sheet as well? What made you decide to add a 2nd sheet? Any pics?


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Good to hear it turned out nice. I have a sheet of black acrylic I need to cut down for my bare bottom, but am wondering if I need a 2nd sheet as well? What made you decide to add a 2nd sheet? Any pics?


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Marty's comments. I may have a perfect piece for you. I will try to post a pic

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Marty's comments. I may have a perfect piece for you. I will try to post a pic

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Rock is just stacked. Still need a couple bigger pieces before I pin it together.

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You expecting your aquarium to catch on fire that often? :)

Kind of convenient that the smoke alarm is there. I never knew why. I'm actually still figuring out if I should put the tank elsewhere. Hard to beat the year round climate control of its existing spot...
 
Nice! Glad to see it coming together.
Let me know if you need to drink beer, errr, help. Yeah, help.:beerchug:
 
Nice! Glad to see it coming together.
Let me know if you need to drink beer, errr, help. Yeah, help.:beerchug:

Haha, will do. It's a slow process. I forgot what a process it is to get going. I think I'm using a 75 as my sump. Nothing (including the 30 breeder sump you gave me) fits where I wanted to put it, so I'm going a little larger for added system volume since I can't hide it anyway. Maybe have a big spot for mangroves instead.
 

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