Plywood epoxy tank. Substrate....or lack there of....

[diy]

Okay, got my 180 plywood, epoxy, glass tank done and leak tested. No Leaks! It is going to be a fowlr, but I don't want substrate. It will mainly be smaller fish so I don't expect them to move the live rock around. There is a pretty thick coat of epoxy (Sweetwater) on the bottom, but I still feel like I should protect the bottom from the live rock. Some pieces are fairly large. Any Ideas? I love the look of the glossy smooth dark blue bottom and would like to not have to put anything down. I thought of covering the bottom with a thin layer of clear silicone where the rocks will be placed, but not sure. Any thoughts would be appreciated, even better, if you think I can get away with out anything, I would prefer that the most (for the appearence, not the expense).No real reason to add this guy, just like him.....

Thanks

 

[pshtex]

cut out thin small pieces of acrylic and stick down where the contact points would be

 

[diy]

Just 1/8" plexi would work?

 

[pengu13]

i put down sheets of thin acrylic on the bottom of my tank to protect form all the rocks i was stacking but i had liquid rubber and sand on the bottom.

in your case i think just lay a bead of silicone under where you plan to have the rocks make contact, like some people do for a glass tank.

 

[captainahab]

I can tell you that my strip built canoe (epoxy covered) takes a severe beating on the rocks and sand every trip. If the live rock is going to get slid around at all, I would definitely protect the epoxy with something. I think the acryllic is the best idea.