How to make stands for the rocks?
- Thread starter esc.nuk3r
- Start date
coralfragger101
Gone Postal
Buy acrylic sheet, rods and glue.
I drilled a little way into the sheet so the rods would go into the sheet but I'm not sure that is really necessary.
Just glue in place.
I can't remember the exact thicknesses of stuff I used but I think the sheet was probably 1/4" and the rods were 1/2".
I drilled a little way into the sheet so the rods would go into the sheet but I'm not sure that is really necessary.
Just glue in place.
I can't remember the exact thicknesses of stuff I used but I think the sheet was probably 1/4" and the rods were 1/2".
coralfragger101
Gone Postal
Prospect Plastics
1/2 block West of Dixie Hwy on the South side of Prospect Rd.
1/2 block West of Dixie Hwy on the South side of Prospect Rd.
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'fragger, how has that worked out for you? Do you have a recent tank pic?
coralfragger101
Gone Postal
It has worked out very well for me. There is only one rod that has become visible (about 1/2") because of the circulation and no rock sitting on top of that particular rod.
FTS just taken.
I also agree with the others. There are numerous ways to create a rock support. Any of the suggestions above should work fine.
esc.nuk3r
New member
i am going to do the pvc pipe way. it looks easer. thanks coralfragger101. i would like to do it your way but i dnt have the time to go to the store and get them. with the pvc pipe way its easer and faster plus i have extra sand that compulou is going to give me that should cover the pipes. so my rocks should be higher to the light. and thanks jdieck for the idea. any suggestions ? what other things i need to kno?
thanks Justin
thanks Justin
The only down side I could see with the PVC is that if you don't have a real good idea of your 'scaping right off the bat (like me, I'm always moving stuff around), you could knock over one of the supports moving them around. Maybe a combination of the two approaches, with a framework of 1/2 PVC tubing and connectors? More stable.
jdieck
New member
Rather than cutting pieces of pipe I used couplings. Drill with the largest diameter drill you have or use a small hole cutter.
I used 1". 1-1/2" or 2" depending on the size of the base rock. Use three for each rock to provide a three point support. Once the rock is on them insure they are straight standing up, the sand will add to the stability.
Add the sand and use a scrapper to slowly drag it under the rock or use a powerhead to blow it under throttling the inlet with your thumb.
Lifes A Beach
Premium Member
I like your idea of the pvc. Question: what is the purpose of drillling the holes? Could you use the pvc without drilling the holes? I'm getting ready to add some additional rock to my tank.
jdieck
New member
The holes are there to prevent stagnation in the sand bed which will create hydrogen sulphide pockets. The larger the holes the better, that will allow sand, water and critters to move inbetween.
My latest version with the large holes (cut with a hole saw) work better, use a bork bench to support the coupling and use a slow rpm drill.
I think the idea is to minimize the surface area of rock contacting the sand bed. There's a chance of hydrogen sulphide buildup. Personally, I think gobies, pistol shrimp, sand-sifting stars and various other sand-loving critters do a fine job of moving sand around and burrowing under rocks.
coralfragger101
Gone Postal
The purpose is for support. You don't want your rockwork sinking and possibly toppling over. If you have any critters that like to dig in the sand and make their homes under your rocks this is a must.
jdieck
New member
True and true. Basically there are three alternatives.
A) Rock on the bottom and sand around. This option buries part of the live rock which will have die off and create pockets for hydrogen sulphide. Besides the expense of live rock being buried and the diminished denitirfication, there is less area for sand dwelling and digging creatures like gobbies, pistol shrimp, serpent stars and such.
In this case the rock as a minimum has to be placed on pieces of tiles. Rock directly on glass or acrilic will only towch on three points that are usually sharp creating a very large pin pointed stress that can break tempered glass and acrylic.
B) Settign the Rock on the sand. This has the advantage of having more of the rock show but this will usually create a potentially unstable condition specially if the rock is piled up and the sand used is oolitic (which are round spherical grains) due to sand sifting and water flow. Sand digging and dwelling critters will speed up the process of sand sifting.
C) Use of a stan for the rock. Acrylic rods on flat supports, PVC pipes, PVC couplings will help prevent the negative situations encountered on A and B above although imply more work and $$.
The structure will provide improved support, prevent pin pointed stress, show more rock, allow for any kind of critter to live under the rock whose digging improve circulation under the rock bed.
A) Rock on the bottom and sand around. This option buries part of the live rock which will have die off and create pockets for hydrogen sulphide. Besides the expense of live rock being buried and the diminished denitirfication, there is less area for sand dwelling and digging creatures like gobbies, pistol shrimp, serpent stars and such.
In this case the rock as a minimum has to be placed on pieces of tiles. Rock directly on glass or acrilic will only towch on three points that are usually sharp creating a very large pin pointed stress that can break tempered glass and acrylic.
B) Settign the Rock on the sand. This has the advantage of having more of the rock show but this will usually create a potentially unstable condition specially if the rock is piled up and the sand used is oolitic (which are round spherical grains) due to sand sifting and water flow. Sand digging and dwelling critters will speed up the process of sand sifting.
C) Use of a stan for the rock. Acrylic rods on flat supports, PVC pipes, PVC couplings will help prevent the negative situations encountered on A and B above although imply more work and $$.
The structure will provide improved support, prevent pin pointed stress, show more rock, allow for any kind of critter to live under the rock whose digging improve circulation under the rock bed.
