I am in the middle of a redo on mine after my recent tank crash and am looking for ideas. My tank is a 220 not huge but will build an arch but not a large one out of pvc but would like to make some type of pillars. I have seen only a few can anyone post some how to build or pictures of there build and or just unique ideas? Thanks.
Large Tank Aquascaping
- Thread starter mx838
- Start date
serpentman
part time superhero
IME, the best way to make pillars is to use fiberglass or carbon fiber rods. Simple drill the rock with the appropriate sized masonry bit and insert the rod cut to length. You can use epoxy to glue in place. However depending how you stack the rock, it may not be necessary.
Fiberglass driveway markers/reflectors work well. The only drawback is they are white so may be visible. You can get the black carbon fiber rods at hobby shops.
Fiberglass driveway markers/reflectors work well. The only drawback is they are white so may be visible. You can get the black carbon fiber rods at hobby shops.
Thanks for that I was looking for nylon rod to cut to length. I guess I ever thought of fiberglass rod to do it. I will be doing the arches out of pvc but was looking for ideas of the pillars. Thanks for this. If anyone has any cool pillar pics or arch pictures is would be great.
amore169
Active member
Here are some ideas, there also a sponsor I hope this is allowed;
http://www.marcorocks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=49
http://www.marcorocks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=49
firethefish
New member
In the past I've used 1/2" acrylic rods and acrylic sheets for the bases(http://www.farcoplastics.com/). Using a 1/2" masonry drill bit slowly drill the rocks in the way you want them stacked. Glue the rods to the bases using weldon. I don't have pic of mine anymore but there was a fairly large thread on RC awhile ago with a lot of examples. Oh, I got my supplies from the above link because they were close to me. Hopefully there is a supplier in your area that you can pick it up from. HTH.
So you used a 1/2 in bit to go through. I actually have 1/4 3/8 and 1/2 in bits as I am a mason. The problem I have is that the rocks are splitting with the 3/8 so I was nervous to go the 1/2 in. Is there a trick to going that big. I have been doing masonary for many years and these are just so brittle. I had on the setup I have now I drilled small holes and used zip ties but I made the mistake of drilling the pvc also and the pipes are full of detris and worms now part of why I want to redo this.
firethefish
New member
Maybe there's a difference in the rocks. I had no problem drilling 1/2" holes as long as I stayed away from the edges and went VERY slow. Oh, make sure it's not a hammer drill. That will definately break them. I guess you could start out with a smaller hole and gradually get bigger. Man, I wish I could find that old thread, it was really helpful but it's been a few years.
I am not using a hammer drill and going VERY slow. I tried it out on smaller pieces that I did not care about. I was hitting the center of the rock thinking of what is safest. I cant stress enough I am a mason and do this stuff for a living and this stuff is so brittle. I guess I can take more time trying and will try a few more larger pieces. I havent done any larger pieces yet. I have a 76 lb rock I want to tap into and also make some pilliars and a few arches. If the drilling is weird ill use zip ties instead. I wish you could find that article also.
firethefish
New member
Found the thread, http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=746318 Good luck.
