bare bottom that looks like sand

[hobogato]

i know there are advantages to a bare bottom tank, but never could get past the look of it. i just stumbled across this webpage:

http://www.fishyreview.com/fake_sand.html

i know this is for a freshwater tank, but i bet it could be modified to look like typical saltwater sand too. it is so simple!

[Mr Cob]

cool idea. The silicone seems would still buck the heck out of me.

[FireWater]

That is pretty cool. I want to see it in person. Looks like I might have to find a cheapo tank to try it on.

[allan]

Sounds like a temporary fix in a salty. I've got my frag tank bare and the bottom covers in Coraline even faster than rock on the side glass.

[ErikH]

I wonder if that could be done on the inside? Someone should risk it all! Or if there was a way to thinly spread superglue, or silicon (maybe with a window tint squeegee?) and then lightly dust the bottom with sand?

[Scream311]

This is sooo easy simple and cheap. I for sure am goin to give it a try when I build my frag tank

[Europhyllia]

clever!

[Kristy]

Wow... very simple indeed! For some reason, it reminds me of the sandy paper we used to line the bottom of the parakeet cage.

[olaggie01]

I'm going to try this on the foam underneath my new tank. Better than pink.

[cbianco]

I wonder if that could be done on the inside? Someone should risk it all!

Ummm... I would say NO! but...

Or if there was a way to thinly spread superglue, or silicon (maybe with a window tint squeegee?) and then lightly dust the bottom with sand?

I would say YES! Maybe work in sections spreading a bit of silicone and dust with sand. Even better yet, find a slow drying epoxy (reef safe), spread it out on the bottom of the tank and sprinkle with sand. You should try this out Erik.

Christopher :)

[jroescher]

In my experience, painting the outside of the glass gives you a glossy finish on the inside, regardless of how flat the paint is.

Christopher,
What do you think would be the problem with doing it on the inside? Assuming you used something that was inert once cured.

[cbianco]

In my experience, painting the outside of the glass gives you a glossy finish on the inside, regardless of how flat the paint is.

Christopher,
What do you think would be the problem with doing it on the inside? Assuming you used something that was inert once cured.

Specifically regarding the spray paint...

I have some serious qualms about using spray paint inside of my tank. Seems unsafe IMO, but I have nothing other than opinion to base that on. Do we have anyone that can attest to spray paint in a reef aquarium? Is it inert?

Christopher :)

[Europhyllia]

I'd be worried too. It would be tough to get a complete list of ingredients. If something is a small percentage of it or it is a component of something else it may not be listed even if you manage to find a listing of ingredients.
For example I specifically used a brand of mortar that has been successfully used by big aquariums, etc. and still I run my tank with a bag of cuprisorb to catch any small amounts of metals that may be leaching from it just in case.
I definitely would be too chicken to try spray paint. ;)

[jroescher]

I've read lot's of DIY articles where people have painted things like exposed PVC. I think the type of paint used would play a part in safety.

I think the best way of making permanent sand would be to mix up sand and cement like making DIY rock, then form it on the bottom. You could make some interesting patterns on the bottom like you see where there's a strong current.

[tonyydeee]

It's kind of really ugly though.. lol /:
but still cool