ceramic frag shelf question

[Paul_N]

I have seen some of the ceramic frag shelves with magnets. Does anyone know if they just fire it in a kiln bare or do they coat it with something. I may be able to get access to a kiln to use and was wondering if it would be worth it to try. I just don't want to pay $100 for one of the shelves and figured I would give it a try myself.

 

[Paul_N]

BUMP

No ceramic experts out there? :bigsmile:

 

[Tswifty]

Are you just looking for a magnetic frag rack? If so, I know a guy who makes them out of black eggcrate, and another who makes them out of acrylic.

 

[schminksbro]

Just another consideration. Acrylic is a good option. You can go to a local plastics shop and sometimes they have scrap for cheap or even free. Ceramic frag plugs grow algae and I don't see why a frag rack would be any different. While still a better option than eggcrate I think acrylic is a better option yet. Just a suggestion.

I have seen some of the ceramic frag shelves with magnets. Does anyone know if they just fire it in a kiln bare or do they coat it with something. I may be able to get access to a kiln to use and was wondering if it would be worth it to try. I just don't want to pay $100 for one of the shelves and figured I would give it a try myself.

 

[Paul_N]

Are you just looking for a magnetic frag rack? If so, I know a guy who makes them out of black eggcrate, and another who makes them out of acrylic.

No I acutally have a couple of those I made myself. I want to make ones that look like the rock ledges. I know they sell them but they are like $100 bucks for a decent sized one. I know some one that operates one of those make your own pottery places and she might let me use her kiln.

 

[Paul_N]

Just another consideration. Acrylic is a good option. You can go to a local plastics shop and sometimes they have scrap for cheap or even free. Ceramic frag plugs grow algae and I don't see why a frag rack would be any different. While still a better option than eggcrate I think acrylic is a better option yet. Just a suggestion.

I was thinking that route also. If I can't do the ceramic I will probably make acrylic ones. I have a ton of acrylic lying around and also weld-on so would just need to order some more magnets.

 

[Tswifty]

No I acutally have a couple of those I made myself. I want to make ones that look like the rock ledges. I know they sell them but they are like $100 bucks for a decent sized one. I know some one that operates one of those make your own pottery places and she might let me use her kiln.

Gotcha.

 

[schminksbro]

Gotcha, Acrylic doesn't look like rocks. LOL
Good luck!

I was thinking that route also. If I can't do the ceramic I will probably make acrylic ones. I have a ton of acrylic lying around and also weld-on so would just need to order some more magnets.

 

[vr697getta]

not sure what would be easier but you could always make some DYI rock and just drill holes in that.

 

[Paul_N]

not sure what would be easier but you could always make some DYI rock and just drill holes in that.

I was thinking about that also. I could just get some of the sure grip magnets and mount one inside a rock and just try to sculpt it to get it to look like a shelf.

 

[cloakerpoked]

Is this going in your display tank, and therefore the reason why you want to have it look like a natural rock?

 

[Paul_N]

Yeah, I wanted to put it along the back and side walls. Even with the coralline on them, the egg crate doesn't really do much for me.

 

[cloakerpoked]

DIY rock has to cure for a long time (6-8 weeks I've heard) before it goes in your tank, so I'm not sure what your time frame is for all this. I don't mind coraline egg crate, but was in the process of building a diy rock frag system before I crashed my tank. fortunately, I hadn't gotten past the PVC/eggcrate phase.