wanna see pics of my tank
- Thread starter Kowkilla
- Start date
You didn't ask for advice, but I'm going to give it to you anyway. 
I disagree with the previous comments. The rock is arranged like a retaining wall. This arrangement is unhealthy and unattractive. You need to create a more loose and open structure. It appears that you have enough branch rock to act as support for the more dense rock. Use these to lift the rocks off of each other and off the substrate as much as possible. Use small rocks between and under larger rocks to create openings and pass-throughs. You can also use pieces of PVC pipe and fittings to support rocks off the substrate and off each other. Zip ties, acrylic rods, and epoxy cement can also work to secure and support rocks.
Greg Schiemer
I disagree with the previous comments. The rock is arranged like a retaining wall. This arrangement is unhealthy and unattractive. You need to create a more loose and open structure. It appears that you have enough branch rock to act as support for the more dense rock. Use these to lift the rocks off of each other and off the substrate as much as possible. Use small rocks between and under larger rocks to create openings and pass-throughs. You can also use pieces of PVC pipe and fittings to support rocks off the substrate and off each other. Zip ties, acrylic rods, and epoxy cement can also work to secure and support rocks.
Greg Schiemer
Thank you for your advice. I have tried a few times to come up with a structure that was more open, but I could not come up with anything that did not look contrived. There are many openings between the rocks that are more than large enough, and the rocks are supported off of the sand. Water can circulate freely around the whole structure, and any creatures I put in there in the future should be more than happy and secure in the number of hiding places I have offered them (it may not look it from my substandard photography, but there are holes through the wall that are big enough for a full sized tang to cruise through and hide in). As far as attractive, I guess thats a matter of taste, I think it looks kick ass. :lol:
But I do appreciate any advice that I can get, I am very new to this sport, and there is very much to learn...
KowKilla
But I do appreciate any advice that I can get, I am very new to this sport, and there is very much to learn...
KowKilla
The way I did it I came up with some pretty strong rocks. I used 1 part concrete to 5 parts of either argonite gravel or crushed oyster shell (got the oyster shell at the feed store, $3 for 50 lbs) mixed it up then i mixed it with enough water to make it stick together, not too much though. Then i made the shapes I wanted in a styrofoam fish box filled about a quarter with damp argonite sand,. I'd put in a little of the rock mix then cover it with sand (leave little pegs of concrete uncovered by the sand) then add more concrete, keep doing this and you will have built some interesting shapes. I covered the final product in more damp sand and let it harden for 48 hours, then cured it in fresh water. The crushed oyster shell rock is very porous, but it took me longer to cure (dont know why) but the pods love it. I think the secret to strong rocks is "not too much" meaning not too much concrete, not too much water, and use damp sand to slow down the hardening of the rock. Damn I talk alot :twisted: . Good luck
Kowkilla
Kowkilla
I think it looks kick ass.
It is novel and manmade which is a real plus.
Many new reefes are considering the aquacultured rock which looks beautiful as well.
It is no secret the widespread mining of the coral reefs is damaging them. In a small way you helped stop this.
Good for you.
It is novel and manmade which is a real plus.
Many new reefes are considering the aquacultured rock which looks beautiful as well.
It is no secret the widespread mining of the coral reefs is damaging them. In a small way you helped stop this.
Good for you.
I wish I could take the credit for all of my rock looking the way it does, but I can't. Mother nature is the real culprit, I only made about 40% of the rock in my tank, and most of it is hidden from view in the pictures. A few pieces of it are visible (ie. the cave on the right) and most of the pieces in the rock support pic are home made. I do not want to convince anyone that I made all of this, I just supplemented what I got from the lfs with what I made. Sorry for any confusion
Kowkilla
Kowkilla
Thanks KowKilla... That's about what I did (followed the GARF recipe). The oyster shell stuff I made came out very porous as well. I was pretty excited about filling a reef tank w/ this stuff, until the long branch I made broke off in my hand... I mixed the portland cement 1:5 w/ oyster shells, but mixed it wet. Thought I didn't have enough concrete to get it to stick, so I added a little more, mixed, and then let it setup. It's odd that too much cement would make the rock brittle (if anything, you'd think it would be the opposite way!), but maybe that's it. I think I'll give your method a go, and see how that batch comes out. mix it all dry, and then add the water... The other tip I got so far, was to make it a dry mixture, almost like day-old oatmeal. Last time I was much runnier than that, so perhaps my problem was too much water.
Thanks.
- Mac
Thanks.
- Mac
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