Tile Bottom tank... any issues?

[House 64]

This is for all you stingray studs.... I'm directing this towards you because it seems like the majority of you go bare bottom, sand or tile.

I'm considering putting down tiles in my aquarium for my Tig, arowana and bichirs, my concern is that feces/poo will get in between/underneath the tiles if it's not siliconed between the joints. I'd rather not silicone the tiles primarily because I'd have to remove all the fish, drain/dry the tank and then allow time for the silicone to cure (and in case I change my mind getting silicone off acrylic could be disasterous!)

Would laying down ceramic tiles and floating some 3M sand in between the joints work or will it just be flicked around and the joints exposed anyway? Or should I just do the tiles without the sand and do some maintenance by removing the tiles and vacuuming underneath the tiles every 3-6 months? Thanks for any help.

 

[West1]

I asked this Q somewhere and was told just to move the tiles around every here and there.

 

[FishDog]

I keep saying that I am gonna do tiles but haven't yet. I was gonna do granite because they have a smooth back and are cut square. This will minimize any gaps between tile corners and under neath. Ceramic tiles have rounded corners and a raised back on them.

 

[House 64]

Thanks guys. The granite was an option but I'm not a fan of the glossy stuff, yet. Is granite aquarium safe? Silly question since it is a natural stone but I want to make sure it doesn't leech anything into the waters. Thanks for the input guys!

 

[ShadowStryder]

Loose laid will definitely allow detrius to get under/between the tiles. Only way I would is if siliconed. Or like Michael said, some time of stone that is cut true/square that way everything is butted tight. IF you lose laid the tiles you would need to do maintenance more often than what you figured. If you had pieces of shrimp or some other foods get under them they would spoil in no time fouling your water.
They do make an underwater silicone but I don't think the chemicals to allow it to cure would be to good to the fishes. The sand between sound decent but I would think it would either get flipped, sucked or settle under the tiles.
You could always move the fish to large tubs with the filtering hooked up to them until finished/cured then move them back. Only other options is grouting but the grouting uses chemical compounds or has the ability to effect PH.
Granite is the hardest rock out there. I doubt it would leach anything into the water, but somestone work does have an ability to affect PH.
You know I was thinking slate is another option If you could get a solid piece of slate cut to size. It would work idealy.

 

[haxjester]

I use loose laid tile. I made sure it fits perfect as can be by cutting the tile with a wet saw. I didn't use any silicone, or sand between the tiles. Between the movement of the fish, and the circulation in the tank I have not had any issues with food, or waste getting stuck in between the tiles.

 

[keepinfish]

i was/am considering the same thing, but there is a thread in the media lounge that talks like you must silicone to keep crud from getting under the tiles....

 

[West1]

Sean, if you need a holding tank for some fish, LMK... I also got a 40-50gl long glass tank you can borrow if you need it... otherwise, take pics as you do it.

Im thinking of getting a 150 for a week or so then sell it to do this myself (wanna do a 24/7 drip first )

 

[House 64]

Sean, if you need a holding tank for some fish, LMK... I also got a 40-50gl long glass tank you can borrow if you need it... otherwise, take pics as you do it.

Thanks E. I actually have a spare 40g. also but it's too small to house the current fish I have in the tank. Believe it or not I have 3 tanks, one has my daughter/wife's turtle, one has my bichir and armatus and the last tank has my Leichardti aro, Endli and tig. No room to flip flop fish for a tank remodel.

 

[xaznkewlguyx]

You can borrow my 210 in a couple of weeks if you want.. but I don't think you are going empty your tank to silicone them tiles anyways.