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Anyone want to help aquascape?

DaveS

By DaveS,
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DaveS

DaveS

Hi guys,

 

I'm getting close to the time where all that is left on my build is to aquascape. I'm actually feeling a little pressured as I'd like to get this done before I hit the one year mark on my rebuild.... :mad:

 

Anyways, I got a bunch of live rock that is ready to go and just needs to be formed. I'd like to make a pillar and maybe a bonsai tree like this guy on RC: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1288059 .

 

Anyone have experience in zip tying rock together and making structures/pillars? I've never done this so some help would be greatly appreciated. I'll have the hammer drill and tools, just need some knowledgeable hands.

 

Here's the plan-

 

1) take current pile of rock out of tank and lay it all out on a tarp

2) add other pieces of rock I have cooking in drum

3) make structures

4) put structures back into tank

5) drink beer

 

As you can see, the one trick to this endeavor is that the rocks are currently in my running tank so I won't be looking to use cement or any techniques which will require a long cure time. The rocks need to go back in the tank later that day.

 

I haven't decided on the day for this so it will probably be based on when people are available. Please LMK if you want to participate in this fun!

 

Thanks all.

jason the filter freak

jason the filter freak

(edited)

I would if you weren't in Va, the RC set up is a nice idea as long as you've got the right kind of tank go for it.

If not the CPVC + zip ties + egg crate rock rack system has worked spectacularly for me and tina and gives fantastic access to allow fishes to swim in and out of caves, to hide power heads and wires, and to prevent detritus build up.

Edited by jason the filter freak
Jan

Jan

I have no experience doing this with drills and zip ties. I do have a good eye for scaping. I use a lot of glue and epoxy to keep some of my structures together. Let me know if you use could my help. I'm in Falls Church. Not far from you at all.

 

Hi guys,

 

I'm getting close to the time where all that is left on my build is to aquascape. I'm actually feeling a little pressured as I'd like to get this done before I hit the one year mark on my rebuild.... :mad:

 

Anyways, I got a bunch of live rock that is ready to go and just needs to be formed. I'd like to make a pillar and maybe a bonsai tree like this guy on RC: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1288059 .

 

Anyone have experience in zip tying rock together and making structures/pillars? I've never done this so some help would be greatly appreciated. I'll have the hammer drill and tools, just need some knowledgeable hands.

 

Here's the plan-

 

1) take current pile of rock out of tank and lay it all out on a tarp

2) add other pieces of rock I have cooking in drum

3) make structures

4) put structures back into tank

5) drink beer

 

As you can see, the one trick to this endeavor is that the rocks are currently in my running tank so I won't be looking to use cement or any techniques which will require a long cure time. The rocks need to go back in the tank later that day.

 

I haven't decided on the day for this so it will probably be based on when people are available. Please LMK if you want to participate in this fun!

 

Thanks all.

steveoutlaw

steveoutlaw

I would caution you on the type of foam or epoxy you use. Make sure that it is a brand that somebody has used before.......I had to tear out my rockwall because the 2 part epoxy I used wouldn't fully cure.

Brian Ward

Brian Ward

Dave,

 

I don't have any direct experience but I'm somewhat handy and can probably figure it out. Either way, I'd like to help if just for the experience. But my schedule has early January as the first available weekend :(. I can maybe do Dec 20 (Sunday). LMK

L8 2 RISE

L8 2 RISE

Depending on when it is, I may be able to help. What I've done with my aquascapes is drill holes and stack the rock on 1/2 inch pvc. Haven't had to deal with the foam, epoxy, etc at all, and it hides the pipe perfectly. You can check my build thread in my sig to see.

DaveS

DaveS

  • Author

I'm hoping to avoid the epoxy/foam stuff as that will take too long to cure. I'm sure I'll need the putty/epoxy type stuff and plan to have it on hand.

 

Yes, I definitely think the pillar will be done with pvc/acrylic and drilled holes. Hopefully someone with experience zip tying rocks together will be able to help out with the bonsai type structure. Looking at the RC thread I think it's more about zip ties than pvc.

Sikryd

Sikryd

I'm hoping to avoid the epoxy/foam stuff as that will take too long to cure. I'm sure I'll need the putty/epoxy type stuff and plan to have it on hand.

 

Yes, I definitely think the pillar will be done with pvc/acrylic and drilled holes. Hopefully someone with experience zip tying rocks together will be able to help out with the bonsai type structure. Looking at the RC thread I think it's more about zip ties than pvc.

 

Do you have any pictures or a link to the RC Thread?

Brian Ward

Brian Ward

Here's the link: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1288059 .

 

I've searching on RC and the rest of the net for some HOWTOs on zip tying rock to make those types of structures. No luck so far. I guess it's going to be trial and error in hopes that they don't just fall over...

 

I saw a couple similar to that a while back, definitely cool the way it's done. It's a simple statics problem to make sure that the weight of the rock sticking out * the length of the piece is < the weight of the column. The zipties and PVC to anchor the column is the easy part.

 

~Brian

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