Fish Only decor questions

[SteveC56]

I set up my 55gal for a fish only. I was going to put a couple larger pieces of LR with LS and call it a day, but I was recently informed by my wife that she is sick of looking at "ugly purple rocks" ( I told her thats how the ocean looks) She wants WHITE coral with WHITE sand, I told her that would last about a week before it turned brown.

So I am looking for some creative ideas. But I have concerns about putting unfamiliar materials in a tank.

I was thinking about tumbled beach glass for the bottom, it looks really good but kind of eliminates any bottom cleaning creatures/fish

What are some ideas for hiding spots for the fish. I don't think I could stand to put a treasure chest or ship in a SW tank.

What about ceramic/glazed clay/or porcelain products? I worry about things being released into the water.

Thanks for the help
Any pics of ideas would be great

Steve

 

[duec22]

You are right on about the coral skeletons...they would become brown, then turn green, then probably purple just like the rock. What about adding some saltwater plants. I know Sam (bluenassarius) has a lot of really cool plant that he sells though http://www.marineflora.com/
although if there are any tangs in the tank that might not work.

 

[Fragmented]

Check out what this guy puts in his reef. Beer cans, bottles, chain...

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=13094&thumb=1

Might be fun to use the bottle idea. Maybe some colored glass jars or bottles. Fish could hide in them. Pottery should be safe to use also as long as it has been high fired. Some people use ceramic "live" rock in their reef.

You could keep things kinda white if you clean them a lot. (I'm sure that is what you want to do.)

Good luck.

 

[SteveC56]

Yeah the idea of removing corals, bleaching them and cleaning of the bleach once a week or so doesn't sound so fun.

Plants would be a good idea.

What is ceramic live rock? sounds more like what my wife is looking for

The bottle would be cool too if I could find some unique shaped/color bottles

 

[SteveC56]

What about the glass substrate? I worry about dirt build up and the inability to let anything clean it.

 

[Pico1]

YGPM

 

[wombat2]

http://www.livingcolor.com/standard_reefs.cfm

I think beach glass on the bottom will look silly and catch detritus. Just my 2 cents. What's wrong with a thin layer of coarse sand?

 

[SteveC56]

Nothing is WRONG with sand, she just wants something more colorful.

 

[SteveC56]

Has anybody made rock before? Is it worth the time/mess/expense? Where can I find out more info.?

 

[Fragmented]

I saw those fake reef things at Aqualife. Not my idea of beautiful decor, but to each his/her own. They looked really fake to me.

Here is some ceramic rock at Captive Oceans:

http://www.captiveoceans.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=CO&Category_Code=Korallen-Welt

It wouldn't be hard to make your own if you have acess to a kiln though.

 

[miracles38]

There are some colorful sands - pink, black etc.

 

[SteveC56]

Yeah I am not really into the fake corals either. That's why I was looking for some more creative ideas.
Man that ceramic rock is really expensive.

 

[Pico1]

crushed up pipe organ coral makes a really cool substrate. Mabey throw in some pieces of broken blue ridge coral. Ost have skeletons in there shark tank that look pretty cool. I think bottles, chain, an anchor, a skeleton, ect. would be neat.

 

[T-T-Trigger]

how about a volcano like in Finding Nemo???

easter island idols - the whole works.

 

[T-T-Trigger]

mangrove/sea grass/grass flat type tank without LR



what kind of fish?

 

[wombat2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8213626#post8213626 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pico1
crushed up pipe organ coral makes a really cool substrate. Mabey throw in some pieces of broken blue ridge coral. Ost have skeletons in there shark tank that look pretty cool. I think bottles, chain, an anchor, a skeleton, ect. would be neat.

Part of the reason blue coral (Heliopora) is a CITES protected species now is because of over-collection by the curio trade.

All in all I think using any real coral skeleton is a very bad idea.

 

[Justin74]

Theres a few macros that the tangs wont touch. Regardless they also sell faux macro algae along with fake corals. I have one in my 15g and it's not that bad,er, well let me just say it's not painfull to look at

-Justin

 

[SteveC56]

I am thinking angles, butterflies, and/or tangs, something with good color.

I actually have thought that if I did fake stuff that I might do a theme tank.

Is there any paint that can be used IN saltwater? or other coloring methods?

Why are coral skeletons such a bad idea? Just because of the over collecting?

Are mangroves good nutrient exporters? I have always like them and wouldn't mind having one in the display

 

[wombat2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8215052#post8215052 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SteveC56
Why are coral skeletons such a bad idea? Just because of the over collecting?

Yes. And they break easily. And scratch acrylic, if you have it.

Are mangroves good nutrient exporters? I have always like them and wouldn't mind having one in the display

There are much better options. They grow very slowly.

 

[SteveC56]

Would fish eat mangroves?

Does anbody know where I can find any info. on making rock?

I remember seeing something about making rock using crushed coral but I can't remember what was used to "glue" it together or where I saw that article.