rock scape ideas

[litenyaup]

i am setting up a tank at my wifes new salon and dont want the fish to knock over the rock work, and also have some nice gaps and ledges. what can i use as far as rods or pvc to keep it all in check?

i know a lot of you out there have done this so, any pointers would be great!! thanks a bunch

 

[Azurel]

I have seen acrylic rods used and fiberglass rods used.....I think depending on the size of the rock you could use small PVC tubing....I think most people use acrylic rods though...

 

[benny z]

i used dry rock and a quick-setting hydraulic architectural cement to construct my rock structures. they ain't goin anywhere!

 

[Azurel]

Thats sweet Benny........

 

[Murfman]

From an incredible build in Thailand. The build is over on RC;

 

[litenyaup]

NICE!!!! i am not going that big, but some peices are around 10-15 lbs. would pvc do ok in holding that much wieght?

 

[benny z]

Thats sweet Benny........

thanks!

here's a shot from the rear. the center tower hides the overflow. all of the structures are just one rock thick - not a big pile of rocks. there is a 5" channel behind the rock structures at the narrowest part, leaving me plenty of room to blow the rocks off from the front AND back. no dead spots. the rear channel also allows my wavebox to fire down the entire length of the tank from the back, and is completely hidden from the front by the left tower.

i have plenty of open space behind the rock for my lps - they seem to do better back there, getting indirect light.

 

[Azurel]

If in doubt use 2 tubes in seperate holes....This way you don't have a sundden break in the PVC. The 2 would disperse the weight better.....I would rather be safe then sorry.....I am sure the PVC would be more flexable then acrylic rods but not as much as fibergless....What size PVC were you thinking? 1/2"-3/4"? the bigger the better but I don't know what the rock looks like and what you are trying to do with it as far as in the tank....Plus you don't want to go to big and have the PVC showing making the tank look fake.....

 

[litenyaup]

1/2 cpvc and it is going to be a fish only tank...poss like xenia or somthing easy. but it will be mostly fish and live rock. i have all the lr now and will be getting started on it in the next week or so.

 

[litenyaup]

i can also get 1/2 acrlic rods.....$1 per foot though.

 

[Reeferdood]

Nice thread... Givin me some ideas!!

 

[litenyaup]

hey i get to finally help you out!!!!

 

[Wy Renegade]

We've also used the "rod" portion of the bottom of plastic coat hangers - used in short enough pieces they're strong enough to hold most live rock.

 

[litenyaup]

wow great idea there....a lot cheaper than the acrylic rods!

 

[roscoe]

From an incredible build in Thailand. The build is over on RC;

I love this aquascape!!!

 

[Dave@ARA]

I enjoy the above tanks,..great job being artistic and creative,... not creating a fruit-stand/bleacher like structure seen/copied in 98% of the systems posted.
Exciting!..thank you!

 

[Murfman]

Here is how Sanjay Joshi built his rock;

 

[underwaterfirefighter]

Great thread! The above tanks are awesome. Anyone know what type of Cement product is safe to use?
Thanks, Dave

 

[Murfman]

Straight Portland cement is usable but has to be cured to get the ph to stabilize. Lowe's sells a well lining cement (yellow bucket with green lettering) that is safe to use right away.

 

[underwaterfirefighter]

Thanks, sounds good.

Dave