PVC supported aquascape

[Mountaineer]

Bear with me as this is my first WAMAS forum thread and I am having a bit of trouble getting the img tags to work on the images.

 

I've always admired those that had an aquascape that included a live rock arch. I've tried to achieve this effect with strategically placed rocks in the past, but never really got the look I was going for. Until now.......

 

I was inspired by Anthony Calfo's most recent edition of Coral Propagation, which by the way has more information about things other than coral propagation than it seemed about coral propagation.

 

I also had inspiration from a few threads on Reef Central about using pond foam.

 

So with these two ideas I developed my live rock arch for my new 265 gallon aquarium. (Build thread is coming, but if you haven't noticed I've been too busy lately to frequent the forums as much as I would like, but it is coming.)

 

First I made a frame out of schedule 40 PVC pipe.

 

 

 

 

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r102/ww...on/IMG_4163.jpg

 

Then using black zip ties I strapped dry rock to the frame.

 

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r102/ww...on/IMG_4165.jpg

 

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r102/ww...on/IMG_4167.jpg

 

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r102/ww...on/IMG_4170.jpg

 

With all the rock on the frame.

 

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r102/ww...on/IMG_4171.jpg

 

 

The gaps were filled in with black pond foam.

 

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r102/ww...on/IMG_4173.jpg

 

I then carved the foam to remove the smooth surface and added fiberglass resin (Bondo) and while this was wet applied live rock rubble, crushed coral, and sand. The purpose of the foam and resin is to fill in the gaps.

 

This is up and has been running right now in my 265 gallon display since October and It looks amazing. I will try and get some updated pictures up soon.

 

The bottom piece of PVC is just for support and rests on the bottom of the tank then covered with substrate to be hidden.

__________________

Edited May 2, 2009 by Mountaineer

[droyal1110]

Awesome, good job! My only thing is I wonder how the pond foam holds up.. meaning will it break down over time in saltwater and will coralline attach to it?

 

Either way, sweet.

[Mountaineer]

I have coralline algae growth, but I covered most of the foam with resin and crushed coral and sand. I'll try to get display pictures up this weekend.

[Mountaineer]

 

I figured it out, but after the "edit time". Hopefully a mod can help me out with the images above.

Edited May 2, 2009 by Mountaineer

[treesprite]

Cool idea. What would be even cooler would be to bend the PVC into an interesting archway shape instead of a basic rounded arch.

[Mountaineer]

 

Here's a pic I took this evening. Not the best picture, but you get the idea.

[zoozilla]

Looking good

[treesprite]

Nice arch for the fish to swim under.

[Jan]

 

Here's a pic I took this evening. Not the best picture, but you get the idea.

 

Looks great! What size tank is that? REally very very nice.

[Mountaineer]

The tank is a 265 gallon. It is currently sitting in my living room empty and the livestock in a 90 gallon waiting to move into our new home in Olney just after the 4th of July weekend.

 

I can't wait to get it set back up. I'll try to keep you guys posted as a "re-build".

 

Sorry it took so long to get back to the thread. I've been super busy with the move.

[capsfan]

I really like your rockwork. It's nice and open.

[Mountaineer]

I really like your rockwork. It's nice and open.

 

Thanks. My goal was to open it up more and have nothing touching the back wall. All of my other set ups have been a wall of rocks supported on the back wall.