Favorite way to create rock structures

[btkrausen]

I'm using a combination of PVC stands, Fiberglass rods (Tap Plastics), & Sakrete Hydralic cement (Home Depot) for my 450 build.

Thanks for the input :) I also thought about using PVC, like 1/2 inch instead of rods to connect rocks, but the rods are so much smaller.

I've seen some killer PVC stands in the past, but I think I'll skip going that route for now.

 

[greg0385]

zipties work pretty well, marco has lots of holes so you can tie together pretty well and from what i have seen is algae will grow on it pretty good too.

 

[btkrausen]

zipties work pretty well, marco has lots of holes so you can tie together pretty well and from what i have seen is algae will grow on it pretty good too.

Yup, will be incorporating them as well if they work out. My EcoRock has lots of holes as well to utilize. Plus, I'll drill new holes if needed :)

 

[greg0385]

zipties are my new duct tape!! the other great thing about them is you can cut them and redo your aquascape without drilling big holes and trying to break that cement off the rocks. that and they are very strong, a couple of those and the rock will break before the ziptie will.

 

[CalmSeasQuest]

I took a somewhat different approach...

20 Lbs of Pukani rock...

6 Packages EPO Epoxy...

Dremel, Inland DFS-100 and 20 hours of cutting, fitting, trimming, epoxying...

 

[greg0385]

^^thats awesome looking, just wait for those frags to go out, great layout.

 

[sexycorals]

i use both... whatever will give you the look you like bro!! take your time cause you will be staring at this thing everyday!! =) it took me about 3-4 weeks to plan and make mines..here one i did that i put on the left side of my tank.

Been debating on whether I should use acrylic rod or the cement stuff to create my rock structures for my new tank. I want a "bonsai" inspired look, but need plenty of overhangs, caves, sleeping areas, etc.

What way has worked best for you?

 

[Paul B]

CalmSeasQuest, beautiful work.
I collected most of my rock but about 20% of it built. It has hollow PVC skeletons covered in plastic screen then cement.

The piece just above the copperband is PVC rock

The top picture of this 3' piece is under construction and the bottom picture is after ten years in my reef.
My entire reef structure is supported on this type of hollow "rock"

 

[swannyson7]

That's pretty trippy looking. It looks like it's a bunch of jigsaw puzzle pieces!

 

[Paul_N]

Anyone have a link for these driveway markers? Are they the things so that you can see the shape of the driveway for plowing snow or the markers that hold reflectors?

Here ya go. they have them in like 3', 4' and even 6' lengths.

Shop The Hillman Group 48" Reflective Staff at Lowes.com

 

[CalmSeasQuest]

That's pretty trippy looking. It looks like it's a bunch of jigsaw puzzle pieces!

PuzzleReef ;)

It was a proof of concept project I did on a small scale (12 gallon Nano that sits on my office desk.) Slabbing the rock is tedious and time consuming, but it provides lots of options over traditional aquascaping (more light and flow to lower rock-work levels, removable bridge pieces and pillars...) At present, nothing is glued, the Frags are simply sitting on the aquascape as their are no fish or inverts to move anything. The smooth surfaces make it easy to "tack" corals into place with just a drop or two of Cyanocrylate.

 

[btkrausen]

Thanks guys.

I saw that "puzzle" on another forum when looking for scaping ideas..looks interesting. I'm still looking for ideas though, and hopefully get started on the rock in the next few weeks.

 

[fsu1dolfan]

CalmSeasQuest - That is amazing setup you have!! I am sure it took a while but definitely worth it. Thanks for the pics!!

 

[Reefer831]

CalmSeasQuest - That is amazing setup you have!! I am sure it took a while but definitely worth it. Thanks for the pics!!

+++++++++10000 that scape is amazing....great job.