"White" ABS for barebottom?

[Saintnovakai]

I haven't been able to find anyone that uses White ABS sheets for their barebottom. Any thoughts on this? I had also planned to epoxy/glue white sand to it to give it a slightly more natural look.

Thoughts appreciated. Build on hold.

 

[C. Eymann]

I haven't been able to find anyone that uses White ABS sheets for their barebottom. Any thoughts on this? I had also planned to epoxy/glue white sand to it to give it a slightly more natural look.

Thoughts appreciated. Build on hold.

Most people end up using starboard "cutting block" probably because it doesn't flex as much, heavier duty, already has a texture to it?

I have seen several use epoxy and sand for a more natural look, however they say you have to have a few handfuls of loose sand tumbling around on top otherwise coralline builds up on it, ruining the faux sandbed look.

 

[Ron Reefman]

I've heard of people using Starboard, ABS, PVC or acrylic for the bottom inside their tank. Any should work fine. I'm using 1/2" white acrylic on the outside bottom of my new tank and I left a 1/2" extra on all 4 sides so the side glass sits on the acrylic and beside the bottom glass. It's all in my build thread: : https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/ron-reefmans-new-90g-build.636706/#post-6344998

As for gluing sand to the bottom, I'm sure this has been done, but I don't know what kind of glue was used.

Good luck.

 

[Reef AquaCult]

I use black ABS sheet. 4x8 ft piece was $40 at local plastic shop. I would go black. White may look unnatural but of course it’s your preference. The textured AbS material works fine but make sure you silicone all edges and corners well (it floats)

 

[mefisto]

I have used liquid epoxy with white pigment to cover the bottom (wetside).
Just to keep the white look in case the sand gets blown away.
Since I am sand addicted the end result is not visible

 

[Silent]

White is great the first few weeks. Then it is no longer white unless you are OCD. It is easier to use white liquid rubber than cutting ABS. Also provides protection from rocks on a barebottom. Same as epoxy except less glare from the lights.

 

[fuelman]

i used white king star board in my 240 it has a bit of a texture to it, easy to clean up & i'm pretty happy with it. some pics in my build thread.

 

[Silent]

@fuelman Your all white tank looks good. White canopy, white stand, white barebottom.

 

[fuelman]

@fuelman Your all white tank looks good. White canopy, white stand, white barebottom.

thanks @Silent. i admit i am a bit ocd about cleaning it i go through twice a week & siphon any food/waste off the bottom into a filter sock in the sump & take a sponge the long kind on the stick type & clean up any unwanted algae off the bottom. the only thing that seems to stick to it is coraline

 

[Silent]

Coraline is like your buddy who is sleeping on your couch for a few nights. Hard as hell to get rid of once it gets settled in.

 

[Rjramos]

I leave glass bare on the inside. Covered in coralline throughout now. This is the same result any bottom sheet or epoxy is eventually gonna have. I don’t like the posibility of a stagnant void below either.

 

[Saintnovakai]

I was thinking starboard but figured the ABS in white would give a similar look but at a better cost. If there is a problem with white looking bad eventually, wouldn't the same thing happen to starboard?