help has anyone done concrete aquascape

[kels0948]

i would really like to aquascape my 110 tall has anybody done this with concrete . i would like to make it a perment fixture in the tank what kind of concrete should be used?

 

[John_A]

I would look into the pond foam aquascape vs the concrete because the cure time for the concrete is very long among other things and besides you can get a better shape with the foam just my opnion

 

[zef004]

i would look into the pond foam aquascape vs the concrete because the cure time for the concrete is very long among other things and besides you can get a better shape with the foam just my opnion

+1

 

[kels0948]

What kind of pond foam ? Brand ? And could I use my live rock with it If I let it dry out so I have a mixture of both ?

 

[CloudIX]

I agree, curing time with concrete is long and if the rock was to ever break open then the uncured part that was exposed would cause issues in your tank. Here is a link to the stuff you need.

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2783786&CAWELAID=109385432

I would also recommend to get the pond version and not just the window version. The pond version is made to be exposed to UV and not break down. The other stuff is not rated for UV exposure.

 

[Paul B]

About 20% of my rock is concrete over Bent PVC. The rest of the rock I collected. I like the DIY stuff much better as I can build it any shape or size I want for practically free.
This top picture is during construction, the bottom one is the same piece a few years old.

Just about all of the rockwork is supported by rock built in this fashion.

 

[CloudIX]

WOW.. nice looking tank. How did you bend the pvc like that? I'm guessing heat, also what kind of mesh wrap is that?

 

[kels0948]

You guys are maken me lean to the foam side but would it be a problem if I made it to the back of the tank as a perment piece of the tank ? And I could mix rocks with it rite?

 

[CloudIX]

Yes you could do that. Search on this site for rock scapeing. i was looking into it myself a few weeks ago and learned a lot on the subject. The only thing that concerned me was the long term durability of the foam and any negative chemical problems that could arise. I never was able to find any issues reported, except using the wrong foam and the UV exposure over long periods caused it to start breaking down.

 

[Paul B]

I bent the PVC outdoors with a torch, the wrap is plastic window screen.
Here is one of the concrete pylons the reef is supported on. After a while you can't tell which I built and which I collected, I don't even know.

 

[John_A]

Almost all the rock I am using to setup my 125 is diy rock granted dont get me wrong its great and very cheap its just the curing times suck only reason i went this route is because I knew it would take me a little while to finish my tank and I had the time to wait but if you want quick Pond foam is the way to go

 

[CloudIX]

I bent the PVC outdoors with a torch, the wrap is plastic window screen.
Here is one of the concrete pylons the reef is supported on. After a while you can't tell which I built and which I collected, I don't even know.

I like that, it does look very natural. I bet since it was not a solid piece of concrete that the curing time was a lot less. How long on avg was your curing time?

 

[kels0948]

What about how live rock is pourus for bacteria to live in with foam is this a prob? And what about fiberglass resin and sand mixed brushed over the foam for a better look I have heard of that for a more real look

 

[Paul B]

How long on avg was your curing time?

I cure it for a couple of weeks but there is not much concrete in a few skinny rocks. If I was making a lot and putting it in there all at once I would cure it for a couple of months.
My rock is hollow and there are many small holes for water to penetrate to the inside so it also helps to grow anerobic bacteria, probably better than real rock

 

[CloudIX]

What about how live rock is pourus for bacteria to live in with foam is this a prob? And what about fiberglass resin and sand mixed brushed over the foam for a better look I have heard of that for a more real look

Well your foam should not be exposed, you will be covering it with epoxy and then you can add sand, crushed coral or whatever. At least that's what i have read and seen everyone else do.

As far as the bacteria growth or filtering properties of this vs live rock, I'm not educated enough to speak on that and i will leave it to the guys with more experience to answer this question. I don't want to give you wrong information on this, I'm only parroting what Ive read or been told by others.

 

[Islander84]

what are some good adhesives that wont break down in the salt water something that could be used to adhere thing to the glass like rock scaping with eggcrate or something like that

 

[Paul B]

"GOOP" glue, I use it for everything.