Artist’s Dream Build

[FATUM1965]

Sculpting with limestone and mortar to create something very unique. Beauty is priority but only with purpose. I will be dying the sculpture a dark purple (black) to give a rich base to the caroline algae. This will also allow the corals to really pop. The brightest colors are nothing without the dark. The question I have for this community is what dye to use? This needs to be permanent without any leaching. I’ll put in the research for any suggestions to ensure safety.

 

[Bo.]

This question comes up occasionally. There's never a consensus on what is actually "safe". I personally wouldn't do it. Whatever direction you go, I'd cure the rocks a few months and do an icp test to check for leaching chemicals. Maybe crushed volcanic rock added to your mortar instead of a dye?

 

[Devaji]

addictive reef keeping has so purple dye he using to die his macro rock. it a lighter shade than your thinking but its a place to start.
good luck keep us posted I am curious how this turns out as I have thought about it to.

 

[FATUM1965]

addictive reef keeping has so purple dye he using to die his macro rock. it a lighter shade than your thinking but its a place to start.
good luck keep us posted I am curious how this turns out as I have thought about it to.

This is the best lead so far. I reached out to them directly on a possible special order dark purple dye. I am waiting to hear back. Thank you!

 

[FATUM1965]

This question comes up occasionally. There's never a consensus on what is actually "safe". I personally wouldn't do it. Whatever direction you go, I'd cure the rocks a few months and do an icp test to check for leaching chemicals. Maybe crushed volcanic rock added to your mortar instead of a dye?

I will pick up some volcanic rock and give this a try too. Thank you!

 

[FATUM1965]

If Addictive Reef Keeping isn’t able to fulfill my request I’ll try purchasing the purple dye and adding the powdered volcanic rock. Either way this is a great start. Thank you both!

 

[PicassoClown04]

Do you think that covering the entire sculpture in black sand would do the trick? It’s already being made for aquarium use

 

[FATUM1965]

Do you think that covering the entire sculpture in black sand would do the trick? It’s already being made for aquarium use

I did think of this but was afraid it would give the rock a strange appearance with the added texture. The sand would have to be as fine as baby powder. It would also need an additive to permanently affix to the limestone which goes back into the leaching problem and could also potentially clog the pores of the rock.