Acrylic laptop stand

[filter]

I picked up this acrylic laptop stand for my 50 gallon lagoon. I think this may be how I go as I like the floating rock look. I think I’ll get a dremel tool to carve the acrylic around the rock. Any pit falls I’m not realizing?

 

[blaxsun]

You may find that the acrylic gets coated with algae, so anything initially "invisible" will eventually become visible.

 

[filter]

Yeah. The back of the aquarium is black so maybe that won’t matter so much? Also I’m going to cut sone of the acrylic out to create light into the cave what do you think? I want an Lps tank but thinking I can put some high growth softies in the cave and keep the growth down that way

 

[Troylee]

I think, it would drive me crazy seeing that in my tank lol.. I’d glue or cement the rocks together to achieve that look.. your gonna have a big green and purple box in your tank in a matter of no time..

 

[filter]

Will it be noticeable if the back is the same as the back of the anquarium and the front is hidden? And the base will be under sand?

 

[filter]

Oh also I’m going to dremmel off those front laptop catches

 

[Brandont21]

I would personally use plastic dowels and cement and cement the rocks using the stand, then cut the stand out. Your tank is a work of art, and once you notice it, youll see it forever and itll drive you crazy

 

[Brandont21]

.

 

[filter]

I would personally use plastic dowels and cement and cement the rocks using the stand, then cut the stand out. Your tank is a work of art, and once you notice it, youll see it forever and itll drive you crazy

thats a good idea. Ill need to add more rock along the back as a base. should I use acrylic dowels?

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Id use the dowels. They can produce miracles when used properly.

 

[filter]

Id use the dowels. They can produce miracles when used properly.

tbh I dont know if this shape can be maintained tho. Seems like a lot of weight hitting the left side.

 

[Troylee]

thats a good idea. Ill need to add more rock along the back as a base. should I use acrylic dowels?

Or at least pile the rocks on top of it the way you like and trace them and then cut the acrylic out so it has just enough of a shelf to hold your design but is hidden under them..

 

[filter]

Or at least pile the rocks on top of it the way you like and trace them and then cut the acrylic out so it has just enough of a shelf to hold your design but is hidden under them..

that is my initial idea. strategically place rock to maintain the strength but cut out the rest. Cant do much about the back piece tho. I think if I try to cover it too much it could cause problems with flow. I did cover the side with the most exposure to viewing. The right side wont be seen as much.

 

[filter]

also for the base. Do you think its a good idea to use silicone to seal it in so no nasties grow in that low oxygen environment?

 

[Dolphis]

You could also glue rubble rock to the stand to hide it better

 

[CBonito]

Id use the dowels. They can produce miracles when used properly.

That and they don't block flow.

 

[XtraKargo]

That and they don't block flow.

This was my thought too. Drill a bunch of holes in it where it can still support it, but hopefully not let the detritus build up. I'm really intrigued with how it turns out! Good luck!

 

[filter]

I’ve tweaked the design slightly. I have it flipped so the shelf is on the side with the most viewing. The dremel arrives today so I will be able to cut out the cave area. As far as debris I will drill holes I also want to drill holes after the scape is locked in place for any small holes in the rock to go into the cave however thinking about it how is this any different then doing a No sand aquarium? The rockwork is sitting on aryclic just like your rocks would sit on the glass bottom

 

[filter]

Well I drilled out the cave opening. I even drilled out to the front. And the shelf Rick is still holding. Remarkably strong stuff. I’ll need to add some small rock to cover the acrylic that you can see and some sandy bits to fill cracks I’ll need to do that after Labor Day as I have 15 people coming for a 17lb ribeye prime rib I’m smoking and need to put all this away till after have a good weekend everyone!

 

[CBonito]

That's kinda cool. I'm diggin it.