Urban Reef
Coral Addict
Those Bonsai tanks are amazing. I am the same way where I just don't have the patience to drill and secure the LR like that...maybe one day!
Coolest Aquascape/I'm doing it :)
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iani
Valuable Member
First off if you are going to use rods, don't use acrylic. You should use fiberglass rods. Acrylic rods will get brittle, which may cause failure over time. Second use Sakrete hydraulic cement. Hydraulic cement tends to leach the least out of all the cements.
sexycorals
Bringing Sexy BACK!!
WOW thats beautiful! look at all the room on the sand bed for plates, chalices, and acans!! i think i might do it!! thanks for the idea DUDE!
Planning on doing something like this for my new 40B. Gonna use Dry rock, and Loctite 5min epoxy to hold it together. Any thoughts?
sexycorals
Bringing Sexy BACK!!
man i hate it that i have no artistic skill at all.. I would have never thought of something like this myself. And even if i tried to do it .. i think its gonna look like an animal with one leg in the air.. :sad:
johnanddawn
Valuable Member
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i've always liked that tank as well - very original
-yes def use rods - you will need them to support that kind of weight. you can get away without them in an arch but not in an overhang
-yes use cement - i cemented my basic structure of large rock together and it works well (i mixed portland with reef sand to a thick paste, worked great, but need to let it cure for a while in salt water before placing it in the tank.)
-yes use epoxy anywhere you need just a bit more support or add smaller rocks
good luck should look really cool in a 40 b but you dont have the height so you will need to be really creative with the arches to get that bonsai look
-yes def use rods - you will need them to support that kind of weight. you can get away without them in an arch but not in an overhang
-yes use cement - i cemented my basic structure of large rock together and it works well (i mixed portland with reef sand to a thick paste, worked great, but need to let it cure for a while in salt water before placing it in the tank.)
-yes use epoxy anywhere you need just a bit more support or add smaller rocks
good luck should look really cool in a 40 b but you dont have the height so you will need to be really creative with the arches to get that bonsai look
engineeronh2o
unregistered
What happened to the theory of 1 lb of Live Rock per gallon of water? It is funny all the things you learn as you get more familiar with this hobby.
Tanks like this is awesome, however I think they should be for coral only tanks. I don't think it is fair to the fish, because there is no place to sleep or hide if spooked. But it is alot easier to catch them!
Awesome looking fishtank. As for portland cement, get some 5 minute quick set and those rocks won't be going anywhere! Just remember that cement will always absorb H2O (Hydration) and always be getting harder and stronger. I would let it soak in fresh water first (for strength) because cement likes it alot more than saltwater.
Tanks like this is awesome, however I think they should be for coral only tanks. I don't think it is fair to the fish, because there is no place to sleep or hide if spooked. But it is alot easier to catch them!
Awesome looking fishtank. As for portland cement, get some 5 minute quick set and those rocks won't be going anywhere! Just remember that cement will always absorb H2O (Hydration) and always be getting harder and stronger. I would let it soak in fresh water first (for strength) because cement likes it alot more than saltwater.
Urban Reef
Coral Addict
Yeah I remember one LFS telling me 2lbs per gallon. The LR was also $8lb there. BTW they are closed now.
wish
Valuable Member
You should check this out for more info. I used it in smaller over hang but he has cement for sale now.
I wish he had it then.
https://www.marcorocks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=49
I wish he had it then.
https://www.marcorocks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=49
I would build it..it would looks awsome i would get excited come in 20 minutes later and it would be a pile of rocks.
My next tank im going to get alot of putty stuff, glue. and dry rock...and make my first nice looking aquascape ive ever had
Dasani
Well-Known Member
I am going to use cement, epoxy, and superglue gel. I think that will be strong enough b/c the over hangs will only be like 9" max. I e-mailed reefcleaners and he said he would see what he has. I am going to use base rock so I can plan it out of the tank. I am also going to seed the tank with a piece of live rock from my 20g. It's full of holes so my bicolor can hide. I want a prawn goby/shrimp pair and a ywg/shrimp pair. The base will consist of 2 5" or so diameter rocks. Plus I will have that 3lb piece from my other tank. That should be enough for them to find a burrow right? Other than that I am gettin 2 black ice clowns, and maybe maybe, maybe a small Tomini tang. So I think it will be fine with the lack of rock for fish to sleep.
Antonias1391
Active Member
hey if your really interested in good bonsai stuff search around on the internet, i grew them for about 3 years before reefing and was considering a Japanese apprenticeship. google john naka, and do some digging theres almost as much into on bonsai as reefing
NABF Newsletter #1 1g
Tree Art: 6 Amazingly Creative Bonsai Artists : WebEcoist
NABF Newsletter #1 1g
Tree Art: 6 Amazingly Creative Bonsai Artists : WebEcoist
Dasani
Well-Known Member
Really not to interested in raising teh trees lol. I have just always wanted one and we found a place in Florida that sold them, so I picked one up 
And I am a sucker for sexy aquascapes and I think Bonsai scapes are rather sexy
And I am a sucker for sexy aquascapes and I think Bonsai scapes are rather sexy 
condor
CORAL DR.
cool some look like models, but real!
Dasani
Well-Known Member
O well thanks lol. Those are pretty epic.
juicemonkey
Active Member
I am interested thanks!!!! The tank is great but the bonzai hobby is just as good.
Troylee
all about the diy!!!!!
people make there own rocks out of it..... just make sure you soak it afterwards because the ph will be high....
