Bare Bottom tank with Real Sand Look

[Kingdom Come Discus]

Here is my new tank, 48x30x25, I am using for the wonderful Hudson's Wilds I got from Hans. I plan on planting it lightly.

A good friend and his son built the stand and also gave me this idea about using sand on the outside of the bottom of the tank along with textured paint to keep a bare bottom tank with sand bottom look. Look at this site: http://www.fishyreview.com/fake_sand.html
It does look as if the sand is on the inside of the tank. Maybe he will post some pictures of it here on Simply. The Stand they built is awesome, I have to add and this is coming from a Master Carpenter. You may be asking why I didn't build it, well that is a good question. I have to confess I don't do many DIY projects at home just when I have too. My good friend and his son let me give them a few fish for payment too. Awesome deal for me!!!

In my line of construction I do a lot of work with West System's Epoxy products, http://www.westsystem.com/ss/. So having the idea Tracy put in my head shown in the fishy review link I thought I would try to use West System's Epoxy with the ultra clear harder and the Swimming Pool Filter Sand instead of the textured paint. I am doing all sides but the front of course. After I get all the sand on I will attach 2 inch white foam board from Lowes to all sides with the sand. This will not only insure minimum thermal loss but will block the light from the outside of the tank and will eliminate all blotchy spots where the sand my be a little thicker in spots.


Unloading the tank:

http://i764.photobucket.com/albums/xx287/thebisonman/078-1.jpg

Stand:

http://i764.photobucket.com/albums/xx287/thebisonman/077-1.jpg

http://i764.photobucket.com/albums/xx287/thebisonman/076-1.jpg

Sand on wet epoxy:

http://i764.photobucket.com/albums/xx287/thebisonman/005.jpg

http://i764.photobucket.com/albums/xx287/thebisonman/004.jpg

http://i764.photobucket.com/albums/xx287/thebisonman/010-1.jpg

Epoxy:

http://i764.photobucket.com/albums/xx287/thebisonman/006.jpg

Sand:

http://i764.photobucket.com/albums/xx287/thebisonman/007.jpg

Looking inside of tank:

http://i764.photobucket.com/albums/xx287/thebisonman/008.jpg

http://i764.photobucket.com/albums/xx287/thebisonman/009.jpg



I will continue to update here as I get the tank up and running. I am keeping my fingers crossed, hoping I haven't ruined the custom starphire tank.

[ZX10R]

Sweet tank can't wait to see it filled with those wilds.

[Ed13]

Kraig, that's a very nice looking tank, but was it designed to be supported by it's perimeter? Have you asked the manufacturer if the stand requires a top and foam underneath the tank?

Anyways, looking forward to seeing those killer wilds in that tank!! Very interesting what you are doing with the epoxy, can't wait to see the final look.

[Kingdom Come Discus]

Kraig, that's a very nice looking tank, but was it designed to be supported by it's perimeter? Have you asked the manufacturer if the stand requires a top and foam underneath the tank?

Anyways, looking forward to seeing those killer wilds in that tank!! Very interesting what you are doing with the epoxy, can't wait to see the final look.


The stand is going to support it by its perimeter only. I am going to cut the 2 inch foam for the bottom and place it inside the stand and then after the tank is on the stand I will use silicone and a few screws going partially into the stand to support the foam. I do have a question you may be able to help me with. I have a very large piece of slate about 36 to 40 inches long 7 inches wide and 3 inches thick I want to use as a shelf which I want to place on two legs which are 12 inches wide by 3 inches thick and 10 inches tall.
I am going to weigh the pieces but guessing I would say the long pieces is 150 lbs. and the legs are 50 lbs each. If I can get it in the tank with out dropping it do you think the glass would support that kind of weight. I am very concerned about the small area of the legs which are contacting the glass distributing the weight to such a small area.

Thanks for your imput,

[Ed13]

The stand is going to support it by its perimeter only. I am going to cut the 2 inch foam for the bottom and place it inside the stand and then after the tank is on the stand I will use silicone and a few screws going partially into the stand to support the foam. I do have a question you may be able to help me with. I have a very large piece of slate about 36 to 40 inches long 7 inches wide and 3 inches thick I want to use as a shelf which I want to place on two legs which are 12 inches wide by 3 inches thick and 10 inches tall.
I am going to weigh the pieces but guessing I would say the long pieces is 150 lbs. and the legs are 50 lbs each. If I can get it in the tank with out dropping it do you think the glass would support that kind of weight. I am very concerned about the small area of the legs which are contacting the glass distributing the weight to such a small area.

Thanks for your imput,
It will support a LOT of weight, way more than that, if it's the tank is designed, constructed, and setup properly. However, I still urge you to ask the tank manufacturer about the stand. Most custom built tanks I've seen on the net don't feauture a functional trim like commercial tanks, requiring support of the bottom pane. Unless the tank was assembled to handle a floating bottom pane, this setup it may fail. Then there is the issue of warranty, better ask know than later.

If I uderstood properly how you intend to use the foam, sounds like it'll be doing nothing at all.

[Kingdom Come Discus]

I see your point now. I have never seen a stand which supports the glass. Sure glad to have your input before the tank is on the stand and for sure before its functional. I will let you know what all glass cages say. If the glass bottom needs to be supported th sand will need to be removed over the support. I do have a tool which would do the job well.

Thanks so much,

[slapnutz]

Glass cages website will tell you how to set the tank up according to their requirements for their warranty.

[ZX10R]

We need some updates!!!!

[Darrell Ward]

You can also mix sand with Envirotex Lite pour on finish, and spread a layer in the bottom of the tank. Let it cure, and you're ready to go. It will give you a true sand bottom, but with the advantages of a bare bottom.

[jball1125]

Hey Kraig,

Any updates yet? Im going to try the sand bottom thing and would love to see some pics of how yours turned out...

[dawrtw]

Hey;

I'm interested in seeing fish in that thing too.

[Doc_Polit]

Envirotex Lite is a great idea and a little easier to work with than West Systems.

Nice concept all the same and looks good.

[JL15219]

Wow that looks awesome and is a great idea! Can't wait to see it all setup.

[TURQ64]

I use many gallons of West System on our ship..I was wondering myself about the use with Discus..guess I'll follow along and see..Looks good....Gary

[Bud]

niiiiice, somewhere on this site someone else had recomended it,I also did the bottom of mine with envirotex and it turned out great.Sometimes the fish even try and rummage through it!!!