Here is my big tank so far.

[gooch]

That tank was shipped out of here a long time ago.

Actually by building the rock one piece at a time I should not need to use many doughnuts to fill in holes. This first rock has only one hole in it and it will have one euphyllia coral placed there. I will also probably encrust some zoanthids or ricordia to it. The next rock will have a few more holes for a few other euphyllia. About one quarter of the tank will be for euphyllia, sps along the back, zoanthids and ricordia along the front. Echi's, blasto merletti, and a bunch of brain corals in the center under the center brace, a few sun polyps under the ledge, a huge pipe organ and a few soft corals on top of the ledge. And a welsophillia and a few other open brains on the floor of the tank. Of course that will probably change a half dozen times before I am done.

 

[kane4187]

Nice job on the rock.

 

[DeadScary]

Excellent job on the rock. Very Realistic. I'm sure it will be even better once it's been in the tank for a while.

 

[NewMariner]

Gooch,

Im very impressed with how well your ceramic rocks look so natural...I understand not wanting to leak out the info as to the clay until your sure its safe, but after that time period you might check into making the rock and then selling it.

I would definately buy some once I knew for sure its safe...If you set it up properly it would be cheaper then buying a ton of rock as well..as it would just "cover" your rock racks...

Way to go and keep us updated!:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[gooch]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6537989#post6537989 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NewMariner
Gooch,

I understand not wanting to leak out the info as to the clay until your sure its safe, but after that time period you might check into making the rock and then selling it.

:

I am 99% positive the rock is safe. Otherwise I wouldn't jeapardize my livestock. But one can never be to sure. As far as selling it I am 99% sure that will not happen. I will not lie and say I havn't thought about it. But then I think back to the three years I ran a reef shop and lost thousands of dollars, didn't pay myself a penny and the next three to five years I will spend paying off the reef business debt. That brings me back to reality real fast. I love the hobby but I will not put myself or my family through that again.

I have to build my structure, a structure for a friends 125 gallon cichlid tank and two small projects for other friends. Then if I still enjoy it I might think about it again. Until my wife jacks me up and threatens to leave me if I ever try to start another hobby related business.

 

[hahnmeister]

the grey stuff should be fine, but the red stuff does contain alot of iron...which isnt a bad thing I suppose...but it could make for some algae...

 

[gooch]

Progress

Progress

I have the clay now. 500 pounds and have done some work. This is the section that I figured would be the hardest part. This is 50 pounds of material.

 

[deansreef]

looks great

 

[shouldabenacowboy]

Looks great so far........keep the pics coming

How come only one empty beer can??...j/k


SBC

 

[gooch]

If I have more than one I need a nap...jk.

 

[ruiny]

looking good

 

[gooch]

I put some in the tank and made a few in the tank. The white cloth is canvas. Keeps the clay from sticking to the tank. So far I have used about 85 pounds of clay. I hope to get most of it done on Sunday.

I am putting my six blasto merletti colonies in the front piece that is the reason for the holes. I have a seventh colony that I have to get in there somewhere as well. The top rock will have the elevated sand bed put in the open space. My wife said it looked like a toilet seat.

 

[hahnmeister]

ROFL...I didnt think that until I read it...but it does look like a toilet seat. You should put a solid block of arag behind it to look like a tank.

 

[NexDog]

Very innovative. Will you remove the canvas after? I love how you're moulding it with coral placement in mind. Going to be a great project to follow!

 

[asnatlas]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6614123#post6614123 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NexDog
Very innovative. Will you remove the canvas after? I love how you're moulding it with coral placement in mind. Going to be a great project to follow!

I am sure he will be removing the canvas once they are "cured" at which time he would have no worry about the clay sticking to the tank...

 

[gooch]

Yes, once it dries it is easy to remove.

 

[fishfiend00s]

This is going to be a incredible tank

 

[gooch]

I hope so, but I will settle for a healthy tank. I am putting a lot of time and thought into it. I just made the wall for the euphyllia and I think it looks awesome.

I keep looking at it and trying to find places for my corals and am thinking the tank may end up being to small. I have three beautiful spaghetti leathers that I just can't seem to fit into place. One of them I have had for over six years. I also have to please my wife by putting a few of her favorite corals in the tank(cabbage and a bright green finger leather). I do not want that cabbage in my tank.

 

[gooch]

More progress. Here is a pic of the top of the ledge(right side) and the overflow covers.

The left side is almost done. And a full tank shot.

Here is a top down. The different colors is just the various stages of drying. You can also see where I cut a bigger rock in half and will silicone it together after baking it.

Hopefully I will get some time to work on it again tomorrow. I would say I have about eight more hours on the sculpting. Detailing the clay is very time consuming.

Scott

 

[Bebo77]

OMG thats awesome... never seen someone make their rock!