Creative ways to aquascape......

fishmamma

Active Member
Picked up a new nano today, 20 extra tall. It is 24 inches high, 20 inches wide and 10 inches from front to back.
Very cool tank but will be a challenge to aquascape.
I picked up 2 brick pavers for a building base in the DSB. I have heard they are safe. Anyone disagree?? I will be doing a 4 inch deep sand bed for jawfish and a softie reef. SOOOO her is the question: How the heck do I do a high aquascaping with the 25 pounds of hand picked of live rock (requested nano size) that will be arriving any day now? :notsure: I think I will need to go almost verticle so that I can access the tank when necessary. :scared: I also have some long tonga on request at LFS.
I went to Home Depot today, no black PVC piping there, also couldn't locate any plastic grate material. I am looking for ideas on how to fasten a tall structure of rock that will not topple. Any tips, helpful hints and photos of your work is greatly appreciated!
:happyfish :happyfish :happyfish :happyfish
~Kelly
 

fishmamma

Active Member
I am in the process of painting the tank, but here are a couple of pictures. The second is looking down into the tank.

 

criketnest

Member
I saw in a catalog some "safe" Rock glue but Cannot Verify that is it safe for salt water. Also I have seen some pictures of someone using those Plastic Tie Things not like the ones that come on bread but you thraed through a locking part on the tie. can't for the life of me remember what they are called.
Chris
 

zsalinas

Member
Originally Posted by criketnest
I saw in a catalog some "safe" Rock glue but Cannot Verify that is it safe for salt water. Also I have seen some pictures of someone using those Plastic Tie Things not like the ones that come on bread but you thraed through a locking part on the tie. can't for the life of me remember what they are called.
Chris
Zip ties bud. I hate when I forget simple things like that lol!
 

fishmamma

Active Member
LOL, not to worry, won't be using twist ies to secure the rock. I was thinking more along the lines of PVC and zip ties, maybe drill some holes in the rock and try to make 2 pillars or columns.
 

oceanists

Active Member
Originally Posted by fishmamma
SOMEBODY on this board must have used 'stuff' to scape their rock....................

Fishmamma they make this stuff called aquarium safe plumbers putty , it is like a brownish gum tyhat you can manipulate under water its only like 3 dollars , i didnt use it , all of my rocks are free standing , which is pretty amazing for what i have going on , (ill post some pics) but my buddy used it and it worked really good
 

thegrog

Active Member
I have heard of people using plastic rods. They get a long drill bit rated for concrete, drill holes in their LR/base rock, insert the plastic rods through them, and PRESTO! The rocks are in place and wont' move. Since the plastic is inert, no reaction with the water. Just keep the plastic out of light and it should stay forever. No need to worry about glues or putty getting old and breaking.
I have not tired this personally, but will someday! I have seen the results and they are fantastic!
 

tompenz

Member
Fishmamma, what kind of paint did you use. I would like to paint the back of my 125. Not sure on color yet. What colors does everyone else have? I also want it painted as the back will face a window. However, it is a north facing window with a blind so I hope the algea will not appear.
 

fishmamma

Active Member
You are best Grog, thanks for the info. Do you know what type of plastic rod people have used? I looked for plack PVC or ADC (whatever it is called) at Home Depot, my store doesn't carry it. I think drilling may be my best bet, just not sure what to use as the rod. Also, do you think using a brick paver in the sand bed for a base is OK?
 

criketnest

Member
Originally Posted by Zsalinas
Zip ties bud. I hate when I forget simple things like that lol!

Seems to happen to me very Often LOL :)
 

fishmamma

Active Member
Originally Posted by tompenz
Fishmamma, what kind of paint did you use. I would like to paint the back of my 125. Not sure on color yet. What colors does everyone else have? I also want it painted as the back will face a window. However, it is a north facing window with a blind so I hope the algea will not appear.
Glass paint is very hard to find so I have used regular old spray paint on all of my tanks. The other two tanks are black, wanted to try something different for this one. I have used both matte and gloss paint and havn't seen much of a difference. The key is to do multiple coats. :joy:
 
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