Foam stuff for the "rock work" look????
- Thread starter ToUcHoFeLeGaNcE
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RichTG
New member
my new setup is on page 5, and here it is after 3 months.
I sprayed the backdrop right onto the glass. It has worked out well and I'll do it again in the future. It's a good way to get surface skimming overflows out of back-drilled holes. You end up with more tank space than the typical reef-type boxed in overflows.
I also love the fact that my return flow comes through the wall in various places and blows through the rock work.
I sprayed the backdrop right onto the glass. It has worked out well and I'll do it again in the future. It's a good way to get surface skimming overflows out of back-drilled holes. You end up with more tank space than the typical reef-type boxed in overflows.
I also love the fact that my return flow comes through the wall in various places and blows through the rock work.
Shouse94
New member
can u explain that a bit more? ARe you talking about just drilling a hole w/ a bulkhead at the top of the tank and using that for the overflow? I myself don't like the idea of an oveflow taking up room in the tank. I even heard how u cut cut out like an inch of glass at the top and let it flow into and external overflow box. basically an external overflow box w/o the siphon feed. what do u guys think about that?
Beenalongtime79
New member
From the looks of it shouse, he basically has two overflows... one in each corner with a bulkhead in each one and probably fashioned the overflows out of foam and something else and then basically had himself a great looking natural overflow!
RichTG,
Thanks for the update. The tank looks great. Looks like you had to resort to some powerheads on there.
Peace,
John H.
RichTG,
Thanks for the update. The tank looks great. Looks like you had to resort to some powerheads on there.
Peace,
John H.
RichTG
New member
here's a crude pic of how I did the overflows
It is well sealed around the bulkheads, but I left enough volume in my sump just in case the water level dropped to that of the bulkheads. I do not, however, anticipate that happening.
Yes, John, I had to stick a few PH's in the tank for that extra boost. Too bad because I hate to look at that kind of stuff!
I will be moving in the next few months, so I just might fab up a new backdrop with a few minor changes.
1. I will do some experimental testing with return flow and the resulting currents for optimum turbulence (sounds geeky, eh?) So I can bury it in the wall and not have to look at any more PH's.
2. I will integrate more depth into the wall for bigger ledges.
3. I want to wrap the wall around the sides for a more 3D look (from back top to front bottom diagonally).
Other than that, I am totally happy with the way everything's worked out! Rich.
It is well sealed around the bulkheads, but I left enough volume in my sump just in case the water level dropped to that of the bulkheads. I do not, however, anticipate that happening.
Yes, John, I had to stick a few PH's in the tank for that extra boost. Too bad because I hate to look at that kind of stuff!
I will be moving in the next few months, so I just might fab up a new backdrop with a few minor changes.
1. I will do some experimental testing with return flow and the resulting currents for optimum turbulence (sounds geeky, eh?) So I can bury it in the wall and not have to look at any more PH's.
2. I will integrate more depth into the wall for bigger ledges.
3. I want to wrap the wall around the sides for a more 3D look (from back top to front bottom diagonally).
Other than that, I am totally happy with the way everything's worked out! Rich.
I wanted a way to keep sand in only half of the tank and a cliff type wall at the edge of the tank with a bit of an overhang... it also needed to support a rock structure that will be on top of it. This what I came up with... its about an inch taller than I originally intended but overall it looks good.
Beenalongtime79
New member
Bishop,
Did you cover that sucker with a light layer of concrete? It's looking great.
Peace,
John H.
Did you cover that sucker with a light layer of concrete? It's looking great.
Peace,
John H.
causeofhim
New member
RichTG - That is beautiful!
It's covered with about 4 layers of cement.
I used a mixture of regular cement, mortar, and RIT dye... I did all the mixtures by weight and usually no more than a lb of material at a time.
I vary the ratio of cement to mortar and dye each time to change the texture and color to break up the look.
It's fairly brittle until you get more than about 2 layers on there but as it starts to bond together it gets solid.
Experiment with it first in a 10g or something.
I used a mixture of regular cement, mortar, and RIT dye... I did all the mixtures by weight and usually no more than a lb of material at a time.
I vary the ratio of cement to mortar and dye each time to change the texture and color to break up the look.
It's fairly brittle until you get more than about 2 layers on there but as it starts to bond together it gets solid.
Experiment with it first in a 10g or something.
shouldabenacowboy
New member
I have been following this thread for some time and have learned a lot by reading all the comments here.
A quick question for RichTG....have you noticed any of the marine enamel coming off of the foam or doing any other strange things??
It looks like you have all kinds of goodies growing on the back and the overflows are very nicely hidden
:rollface:
Matt.................
A quick question for RichTG....have you noticed any of the marine enamel coming off of the foam or doing any other strange things??
It looks like you have all kinds of goodies growing on the back and the overflows are very nicely hidden
:rollface:
Matt.................
I can't really say how extreme the effect of the cement/concrete coating will be on the pH... it will bias it some, but there isn't really that much cement covering the thing.
I cured the 10gal tank for 7 days, flushing it daily and noticed a dropoff of mineral expulsion after day 1. So I suspect the effect in this tank will be much less.
I've since then pressure washed the cement coating removing loose material and flushing out dust and whatnot.
I cured the 10gal tank for 7 days, flushing it daily and noticed a dropoff of mineral expulsion after day 1. So I suspect the effect in this tank will be much less.
I've since then pressure washed the cement coating removing loose material and flushing out dust and whatnot.
Beenalongtime79
New member
Jay,
I really dig the structures in the bottom of the tank! It's cool because you can hide the flow outputs.
Peace,
John H.
I really dig the structures in the bottom of the tank! It's cool because you can hide the flow outputs.
Peace,
John H.
ToUcHoFeLeGaNcE
New member
bump, glad to see this tread still alive. Keep up the good work guys'. and Lets see some more pix.!!
Brad524
New member
doc'
I am going to try the faux bed and the great stuff backing in a 65 gallon .
so I take it all has went well, any regrets?
also it has been mentioned that this breaks down under uv,
I have 400w halides so I want to know how long it will last and
when it breaks down does it have a negative effect at all?
Brad
I am going to try the faux bed and the great stuff backing in a 65 gallon .
so I take it all has went well, any regrets?
also it has been mentioned that this breaks down under uv,
I have 400w halides so I want to know how long it will last and
when it breaks down does it have a negative effect at all?
Brad
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