Lazys Coral House
Well-Known Member
Just sharing how to make simple coral mounts for your propagation tank. These are larger and heavier then plugs taking up 4 squares on your frag rack. They are also ceramic which don't require any curing; tank ready when complete.
What you will need:
- Earthenware/Ceramic Clay
- A Kiln, if you don't have one don't worry your local pottery store can fire it for a small charge
- Wire Clay Cutter
- Fabric from thin tshirt or speaker cloth
- Something to use as a mold
Ceramic sculpting clay comes in boxes. This is 50# box which has 2 25# blocks of clay. There are many types of ceramic clay's with different characteristics but for what we are doing it doesn't matter which type to get. The cheapest white clay will do. This 50# was on sale for 15$.
In addition to the clay a wire clay cutter is nice to have. Not required, just makes it easier to cut the clay off the slab. You will also need a mold. The one shown below I made out of clay previously. However you probrably have something lying around the house that can be used as a mold. Last item you will need is piece of thin cloth which will be used to pull your clay out of the mold.
Can't find a mold; pick up a plastic egg holder at the store.
Your first step is to cut some peices of clay off of your slab.
Next roll them into a ball so they will go into your mold easily.
Then lay the fabric over your mold and press the ball of clay into it.
Swirling your thumb on the bottom with light pressure will make the coral mount nice and flat.
When your ready simply pull the mount out of the mold by lifting up on the cloth.
Make sure to let them dry fully before putting them in the Kiln to fire. They should be white like the circled ones in the picture. Takes about 3 days. If you use a fan they will dry in a day.
Final step is to fire them in a Kiln. They only need to be bisque fired. Your local pottery shop will usually do it for a small fee. After firiing they are ready to be used your tank.
What you will need:
- Earthenware/Ceramic Clay
- A Kiln, if you don't have one don't worry your local pottery store can fire it for a small charge
- Wire Clay Cutter
- Fabric from thin tshirt or speaker cloth
- Something to use as a mold
Ceramic sculpting clay comes in boxes. This is 50# box which has 2 25# blocks of clay. There are many types of ceramic clay's with different characteristics but for what we are doing it doesn't matter which type to get. The cheapest white clay will do. This 50# was on sale for 15$.
In addition to the clay a wire clay cutter is nice to have. Not required, just makes it easier to cut the clay off the slab. You will also need a mold. The one shown below I made out of clay previously. However you probrably have something lying around the house that can be used as a mold. Last item you will need is piece of thin cloth which will be used to pull your clay out of the mold.
Can't find a mold; pick up a plastic egg holder at the store.
Your first step is to cut some peices of clay off of your slab.
Next roll them into a ball so they will go into your mold easily.
Then lay the fabric over your mold and press the ball of clay into it.
Swirling your thumb on the bottom with light pressure will make the coral mount nice and flat.
When your ready simply pull the mount out of the mold by lifting up on the cloth.
Make sure to let them dry fully before putting them in the Kiln to fire. They should be white like the circled ones in the picture. Takes about 3 days. If you use a fan they will dry in a day.
Final step is to fire them in a Kiln. They only need to be bisque fired. Your local pottery shop will usually do it for a small fee. After firiing they are ready to be used your tank.
!
