A 100% Ceramic Aquascape

[HolisticBear]

@120reefkeeper achieved a very cool aquascape by attaching TLF's stax rocks to the back walls; while Reef Builders just featured an amazing tank that's a custom one-piece ceramic aquascape by korallenwelt in Germany.

I want to share this korralenwelt video where they assemble a ceramic aquascape.

The idea of covering the bare bottom with ceramic mortar is interesting because I imagine corals would much prefer ceramic over glass for encrusting.

 

[shred5]

I have seen a few of their videos out there, including this one.. I Believe there is several parts to this one. There also others out there in EU that use and make ceramics.


Seems to have caught on there way more than here. There were a few companies that tried to bring some over to the U.S.A. I saw them a IMAC but not much really ever happened but a few companies still make some.

I like the ceramic for the bottom.

 

[HolisticBear]

Many of their videos show a hidden filter compartment, effectively making a custom AIO by hiding the skimmer, heater, etc. in a false back.

The rock wall isn't really my look, but I'm starting to prefer it over the huge black monolith of an overflow. If you can't go minimalist ELOS/Ada style, this style is growing on me

I like the ceramic for the bottom.

Same! I'm surprised we don't see it more.

 

[Greybeard]

Love the ceramic bottom

As for the rest of it... I'm happy with overflow/sump setups. Loosing display space for equipment, even if well hidden, just isn't something I care for, and I prefer a more open look. Hey, works for them, fine with me, but not my thing.

Where can we get that ceramic mortar mix? Does it dry porous, or solid? Looks like just the thing for folks (like me) that can't stand the bare bottom look, but like the other effects of a bare bottom system. Scatter a thin layer of sand over the top, and vacuum out the excess once it's dry. No sand dwelling creatures, which I would miss, but it's tempting, all the same.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I am all about the back wall! Side wall. Oh yea.

That’s a lot of room for coral!

 

[hart24601]

My tank featured here was totally ceramic. No calcium rock at all or sand. Not as neat as the link, but I figure there are a few tanks out there that are ceramic only.

http://www.reefedition.com/reef-spotlight-bret-hartmans-120g/

 

[jsker]

Excellent find!! Boy that tank looks like it would be heavy.

 

[120reefkeeper]

Thanks for the shout out @HolisticBear. This is a look I personally like . Not sure if I’d want to have the AIO setup, but I do like the background. I like to mix textures, forms and surfaces in my builds. I love the contrast of it. The sharp edges of the rock, the smoother texture of the sand and the smooth clean black of my overflow. To me it’s all about adding dimension to a build but not going to far in one direction. This tends to make the build predictable and bland. I could see using some of this in a build, but I’d hesitate to go the entire way with it. [emoji4][emoji41]

 

[HolisticBear]

How make a fake sand + mortar bare bottom?

Found a link to the Korrallenwelt Mortar.

I'm guessing AF's Stone Fix or NYOS Reef Cement are similar products? @GoVols achieved something similar once by accident when he grossly overdosed SeaChem Reef Builder and his sand + rocks became solid rock. I wonder if you could do something similar with a 1/8" of sand and excess Reef Builder solution to make a solid bottom? Since I haven't seen it before, it probably isn't stable and will slowly break down?

 

[shred5]

How make a fake sand + mortar bare bottom?

Found a link to the Korrallenwelt Mortar.

I'm guessing AF's Stone Fix or NYOS Reef Cement are similar products? @GoVols achieved something similar once by accident when he grossly overdosed SeaChem Reef Builder and his sand + rocks became solid rock. I wonder if you could do something similar with a 1/8" of sand and excess Reef Builder solution to make a solid bottom? Since I haven't seen it before, it probably isn't stable and will slowly break down?

Hmm maybe but that says ceramic mortar and is much whiter. I have used Nyos reef cement and it is more like actual cement, same color too.. I have not tried AF stone fix.
Does cement expand as it cures? Wonder what the difference is between mortar and cement?
I have read people who used epoxy and put sand on top and the glass broke because the epoxy expanded.