Construction material for artificial coral structures.

[karimwassef]

I've used PVC and eggcrate to create the strong foundations of my rockwork.

I'm looking for a new medium. It will get covered up completely so I don't care what it looks like. It needs to be strong to carry the weight of rocks (I like ledges).

I use a blowtorch to soften 1/2" PVC to bend it into shape, but this still limits creativity (they're not easy to unbend and rebend.) I also hate the smell. It is very solid though and using connectors makes the work easier.

I've looked at the epoxy & moldable plastics - WOW. Way too expensive.

Foam requires a structure of its own.

A buddy used plastic bottles but that's not sturdy enough (or thin enough).

I've considered Lego blocks glued together. Those aren't cheap either, even in bulk. The larger kiddie blocks are ok, but way too thick.

Modeling clay maybe? Silly putty or kid's moldable clay ... don't think these are reef safe. I don't know if they can be baked?

Maybe take an art class and use pottery clay that gets fired?

Maybe make tubes from plastic mesh and glue together?

Use white wood with a jigsaw for patterns?

Other kid's building toys?

The best material so far is PVC. But I'd like something better (easier to mold but solid when set).

 

[karimwassef]

As an example... the core branches for this structure would be the desired shape.

The plates I have options for.

 

[ericarenee]

I have seen on you tube a guy Use Closed cell foam then Melt food grade plastics over it while pushing crushed coral and sand into the melting plastic layer after layer to make Coral rock insert and structure . Once he was done he just heated the foam core and it melted away..

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

https://www.grainger.com/category/ecatalog/N-1z0cbue
More expensive than I thought but strong.
Doubtful you could mold but can be stacked & glued.

 

[karimwassef]

Plastic is expensive. The only reason PVC pipe is cheap is it's use in infrastructure. Need something like that.

Erica- what was the source of the closed cell foam? Spray stuff? Blocks?

 

[Timfish]

Nylon hardware cloth covered in aragacrete. It can be built up on PVC framework.

 

[Gorgok]

Its not quite pvc cheap, but consider trying some locline sections. Just the pipe part, bend it to whatever shape and when you want to lock it down coat the joints with abs glue... Or just don't put much weight on it until you cover it the concrete cloth.

 

[karimwassef]

small loc-line is a good option. Any idea where to get some in BULK...

I'm working on a 6' x 8' beast.. it's a lot of material.

I found this - 50ft for $270 at 1/4"

http://www.modularhose.com/Loc-Line-14-System/14-hose/Loc-Line-49421

I think if glued, it should be reasonably solid.

At 1/2", the 50ft goes up to $320. But that may be a good tradeoff.

http://www.modularhose.com/Loc-Line-12-System/12-hose/Loc-Line-59861

3/4" is $370 at 50ft. Since I'll only be using this for some of the more curvy regions. This is starting to look very feasible.

 

[karimwassef]

anyone know what those bendable shapable foam things are called? I think they're used to hold hair in place? I don't know if they have a metal wire core?

 

[karimwassef]

just for fun!! they make 2.5" loc-line!

http://www.modularhose.com/Loc-Line-25-ID-System/25-hose

20ft is $240.. that's $12 a foot... in case you have to make a really weird turn.

compared to flex-PVC, it's actually not bad... assuming it holds water under pressure.

 

[karimwassef]

Tim - love your signature... Totally agree and working hard to bio-load myself.

 

[Legot]

Why don't you use wood and fiberglass over it?

 

[karimwassef]

I'm looking for a bendable sturdy material.

For solid, PVC and eggcrate works.

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[karimwassef]

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[karimwassef]

So I know how to make very intricate shapes with PVC.

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I am looking for an easier medium...

 

[stinkyreef]

Holy Crap!

 

[karimwassef]

Ok... thanks?

I bought some of the 1/2" loc-line to experiment. I'll have to remove something currently in
my tank to make room. Maybe sell one side.

 

[McPuff]

Mix of loc line and pvc seems like a good bet, especially considering how much experience you already have with pvc.

 

[lmm1967]

What do you make the rock out of? Did I miss that somewhere in the thread or do you have a thread describing the process?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[karimwassef]

It's my method called clothcrete(tm)



I have a thread on it. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2391044