ABS plastic sheet from Amazon reef safe?

[thatmanMIKEson]

Hey,

I have a bare bottom and wanted to make it black and protect the tank from rocks and whatnot. I recently heard about ABS plastic sheets (late to the party I know). I found the material on BRS, but it's discontinued. I found multiple YouTube videos swearing by it for bare bottom tanks. I found it on Amazon (link below. Not sure if it'll work). The problem is, it says nothing about aquarium or saltwater. It's just plain ABS plastic sheets. Does anyone have any experience with this knowing if this is reef safe or not? I don't see anything for or against it

Limited-time deal: Zuvas Black ABS Plastic Sheet 12" x 16" x 0.06" 6 Pack, Flexible Than Plexiglass Sheet, Moldable Than Acrylic Sheet, DIY Materials for Home Decor, Handcrafts (Matte & Textured Finish) https://a.co/d/6EBHxCe

There are also sites online you can have pieces custom cut length and width, along with thickness, I have 3 tanks done like this, its the only way for me to go at this point.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

I order King Starboard from BoatOutfitters

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I have that too, it's more for building and structural strength, reflected by the cost, ABS sheeting is cheaper and easier to find in larger sizes I think. I prefer ABS for this application.

 

[MrGisonni]

Yes that is what I have on the bottom of my reef. Sandy beige textured side up. Looks great. IMO

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

Just remember whatever you get won’t look the same in six months. If you’re going for black or sand color for the color, it will be covered in coralline quick.

 

[FSP]

I'd stick with HDPE (cutting board, starboard) or PVC. ABS absorbs more water.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

ABS is fine too.

 

[MoshJosh]

Black foam under the tank or paint/plasti dip the bottom (dry side) are options as well

 

[FSP]

It won't dissolve or be harmful to the tank, but sheet, unlike pipe, is susceptible to warping. It can be siliconed down but why bother.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

It won't dissolve or be harmful to the tank, but sheet, unlike pipe, is susceptible to warping. It can be siliconed down but why bother.

That's exactly how I do mine with black aquarium silicon, and about 40lbs of weights on it for 3-4 days....it works just fine...here's my newest tank where I went with a 1/16" gap all the way around..

The biggest reason to do this, is the coraline algae builds allot faster on the abs and I think it kick starts the tank that much faster, and the protection of the glass, corals grow to it easier, I just like having something on the bottom besides bare glass.

 

[FSP]

Coraline likes plastic in general. It loves PVC shavings for whatever reason. ABS is safe/fine, I just think there are better options.

 

[tedgillispie]

Using ABS plastic sheets for aquariums can be tricky as not all types are reef-safe. Since the one you found on Amazon doesn't specify its compatibility with aquarium use or saltwater environments, it's safer to look for materials explicitly labeled as aquarium-safe. Consider checking out a nylon plastic sheet, which are often recommended for their durability and safety in aquatic settings. They're less likely to leach harmful chemicals into the water.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

Using ABS plastic sheets for aquariums can be tricky as not all types are reef-safe. Since the one you found on Amazon doesn't specify its compatibility with aquarium use or saltwater environments, it's safer to look for materials explicitly labeled as aquarium-safe. Consider checking out a nylon plastic sheet, which are often recommended for their durability and safety in aquatic settings. They're less likely to leach harmful chemicals into the water.

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene is reef safe I'm not sure what the types your referring to that are not reef safe but if it is ABS then it absolutely is reefsafe and unless your tank is over 350°f or directly in contact with uv or ozone for 10years+ there is no reason to believe it's not a safe reef choice. ABS does not leach anything into normal saltwater in a normal reef aquarium setting.