DIY Ceramic Reef Plugs

[Willistein]

Going to be trying to make these and thought I would start my own thread and document the process. Firing stuff in the kiln is always fun to watch so I'll get some pictures of that too. Anyways, I plan to mold white earthenware frag plugs. The main reasons why I'm going this route:

1. They are ready to use as soon as they come out of the kiln - no curing necesssary
2. They are nice and porous and will accept superglue extremely well.
3. They are really cheap to make (if you have the kiln setup) The electricity costs about $10 for a bisque run and I can probably fit 500 or more plugs in at a time.
4. I like making stuff out of clay.


Can somebody measure the opening in your standard plastic eggcrate so I can figure out what diameter the pedestal part of the plugs need to be?

Also, are there any shapes that you guys like to use? I'm probably going to make 1" and 2" round discs (no pedestals) and 1" square and 1" round plugs with pedestals.

I'll get lots of pics to make the thread interesting.

...Jason O. - thanks for the awesome kiln. It's been used a ton - I've put two years worth of Christmas/birthday/wedding presents through it.

 

[rjmayes34]

sounds neat! my eggcrate,that i got from lowes, is 9/16" squares, Inside to inside

1" is on the big side for me for plugs. the bigger they are the less room you have for more frags on your rack, and when you put them in your tank they stand out more. I think 3/4" is good.
For the discs i think 1" and 1 1/2" is a good size. 2" is on the large side,but nice here and their.
What do you plan to do with all your frag plugs? 500 at once hope you have a lot of corals to frag

 

[Willistein]

I think I'll use them as currency for frags, ha ha! I'm also going to be setting up a grow out tank in the near future.

Thanks for measuring for me, I think the pedestals should be 3/8" so they fit well into an encrusted eggcrate opening. Good recommendations on the sizing too.

I picked up plaster and slip at lunch today. I'll see what I can get done tonight.

 

[solRNY]

kewl, put me down for some! can your klin melt a sheet glass sheets too?!!

 

[Willistein]

yep, it can go to any temp up to 2100 F or so. I think glass starts to melt around 600F.

 

[solRNY]

nice!! can you fit a sheet of 1/4" 22"x32" glass in it?!!

 

[rjmayes34]

No problem, and the 3/8 sounds good!
yeah i like the idea of that, In the future i will def trade you some frags for plugs!!!
How much will the materials cost you to make the 500? Just wondering,you dont have to answer that if you dont want to. Just wondering. And i know the klein price is on top of that, and a place to put it an what not. Dont plan on setting up my own and competing so just wondering.
I know at the stores its 25 for around $10. I like the ceramic ones better.
Good Luck!!

 

[Willistein]

nice!! can you fit a sheet of 1/4" 22"x32" glass in it?!!

nope, not that big. It's approx. 18" round and two feet deep.