Finally finished my stalactite, looks really cool.
- Thread starter Mudbeaver
- Start date
Mudbeaver
New member
Finally finished the Stalactite and its really cool looking
Finally finished the Stalactite and its really cool looking
Its better to have a thick resin because the sand stick to it much better so a 5min one works best, so don't mess around get going with it.
While i did the foam i sprinkled some crush coral on it , but be carefull on the edges otherwise it'll fall over,that technique is better just on the top of the stalactite .
After the sanding even on top of the crush coral
Always start at the end
Finally finished the Stalactite and its really cool looking
Its better to have a thick resin because the sand stick to it much better so a 5min one works best, so don't mess around get going with it.
While i did the foam i sprinkled some crush coral on it , but be carefull on the edges otherwise it'll fall over,that technique is better just on the top of the stalactite .
After the sanding even on top of the crush coral
Always start at the end
Mudbeaver
New member
Thanks.
BeanAnimal
Premium Member
I don't get it... but nice work from a technical standpoint 
Mudbeaver
New member
I don't get it... but nice work from a technical standpoint
If you ever dived you'll encounter caverns with suspended gorgonians and sponges and other corals that dont require much light or none at all. They sell it here sometimes but we can't put it in a normal tank with too much light, so this way i can under that structure. I also put a toad stool on the tip of the stalactite and make him grow straightening himself upright, looking like a sherlock holmes pipe very cool looking when he's about a couple of year old. Also to see fish swim around this structure is very unusuall because most people don't take the time to do this kind of structure, too rushed, too fast going for the quick rock piling, and then 6 months later foul their tank by moving the sand , rocks and disturbing the whole layers of bacterias and wondering why they have trouble. So i took my time and made this.
Their's also another benefit to having a shadowy area in the tank; the fish thinks they are in a cavern and protected while actually in plain sight and can be observe by us. Very funny to see them like that. Saw that in my old 65 G .:reading:
NanoReefWanabe
New member
I don't get it... but nice work from a technical standpoint
hehe lol...i agree...i havent done an extensive amount of diving, but i havent seen too many corals growing on stalactites...they are usually hanging in open caves not under water....it certainly looks neat, had you put enough foam in it, it would have floated, then you could have used wires/fishing line etc to tie it in place...
Mudbeaver
New member
This one . Use acetone to clean your hands and your spout if you want to re-use it later on dip the tip of the can also to clean the opening or it will clog.
You can also use ; Beckett's Handi Foam or Touch'n Foam The black foam is better more stable than the white or cream color ones. Its fish friendly also. its for ponds.
My videos are here on how to make the sculptures their's 7 videos all following each other.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZavioityVQ&list=PLk_Pw-jAYdFdfdxt3LnuihwIJUGqREF5K&index=19
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwE7byazB7E&list=PLk_Pw-jAYdFdfdxt3LnuihwIJUGqREF5K
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPlp0XVroUM&list=PLk_Pw-jAYdFdfdxt3LnuihwIJUGqREF5K
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLeAqLPwhOw&list=PLk_Pw-jAYdFdfdxt3LnuihwIJUGqREF5K
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2M6b0np_rtM&list=PLk_Pw-jAYdFdfdxt3LnuihwIJUGqREF5K
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io9E6rmhdx8&list=PLk_Pw-jAYdFdfdxt3LnuihwIJUGqREF5K
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-_peMIS-ow&list=PLk_Pw-jAYdFdfdxt3LnuihwIJUGqREF5K
Last edited:
has no life
New member
way cool
Bonjour Mudbeaver...
Kudos on a very interesting observation. I've included caves behind a false rock wall in my show tank, but never see what is going on in there.
'bien cordialement,
Bob
shifty51008
12-5 Chiefs record
Am i missing the poll somewhere? Lol just kidding
It looks nice, so i am guessing your going for a nps tank?
It looks nice, so i am guessing your going for a nps tank?
Mudbeaver
New member
Well not all NPS the area is confine to the left side from the stalactite it receive no direct light from the fixture above it. Even the corner, so there will be the spot for it the rest of the tank will be normal. i'm doing a mixed tank. Some LPS, NPS, macro-Algae, Softies which are my favorite that why i had a custom wavebox made $20 instead of $600 , just had to buy the pump so i saved $400. So i'll have the nice swaying action of the softies in there. This starfire tank is custom made so i made sure it was going to accomodate the species i wanted. Its 21" hight only so i wouldn't to spend too much on strong lights, i'll only have a few SPS the easy ones. With C2C and 2 Tunze 6095 for flow at each end i think i'm good to go. I've kept the other end clean on purpose to have room to put Tridacna clams amongs other bottom dwellers so the branches can tower over them. The left branch will have GSP so to keep the shape of the branch and have movement in the wave the left one will be all me different zoos on it that will also fit like a glove on it. When i did my sculpture i was seing every corals i was going to put on them , i took my time and tha gave me time to think what and where i was going to put things. the other sculpture will have other corals but not too much i rather have big ones than numerous ones. i like space between them and fishroom the wall will have its design as well.
Mudbeaver
New member
Its made to hold stone in exterior ponds for fish; resisting the sun's UV light and harsh cold winter for years. So i'd say yes.
You can follow the whole build up here; http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2327805
