bare bottom?

[chymos45]

au01st;442709 wrote: We've got a number of artists here, could even have someone do it with wavy lines like real sand!

A nice thought for sure, but a bit of a waste. The only way to see it is with a top down view. On the bottom, you get the same refraction as when you try looking through the front glass and try to see out the sides - all you get is a reflection, just like a prism.

If I had to do it over again, I would paint the bottom white. Mine is completely covered in purple coraline now, so it's a non-issue, but the idea of bouncing a little light back up is not bad.

 

[william1]

I cant believe Jeremy hasnt posted a comment yet hes always got something to say about BB lol.

 

[glxtrix]

He'll agree to disagree...lol.

 

[weaglereefer]

Chymos45;442745 wrote: A nice thought for sure, but a bit of a waste. The only way to see it is with a top down view. On the bottom, you get the same refraction as when you try looking through the front glass and try to see out the sides - all you get is a reflection, just like a prism.

If I had to do it over again, I would paint the bottom white. Mine is completely covered in purple coraline now, so it's a non-issue, but the idea of bouncing a little light back up is not bad.

Yeah, had a brain fart there. Could always get a piece of acrylic painted then glue that to the bottom inside.

Also wonder if you could put glue on the bottom of the tank and then cover it with sand (like they do with false back walls) to give the appearance of sand but prevent it from being a detrius trap.

 

[william1]

glxtrix;442789 wrote: He'll agree to disagree...lol.

I know its always funny to hear what he has to say lol.

 

[chymos45]

au01st;442859 wrote: Also wonder if you could put glue on the bottom of the tank and then cover it with sand (like they do with false back walls) to give the appearance of sand but prevent it from being a detrius trap.

RC has a couple of threads on this idea. Some glued the sand, some covered a layer of sand with a layer of clear epoxy, some glued the sand to some acrylic sheets, etc.
IME, whatever you do gets covered in coraline pretty quick anyway, so it all ends up purple in the end...

 

[brianjfinn]

This is so funny. When I first started in the hobby about eight years ago, everyone around me said make the sand bed as deep as possible. Now I've got a 20L with a three inch sand bed that is absolutely disgusting. Wish I had done either bare or a very thin layer of sand.