Reef Ceramics
- Thread starter jerryz
- Start date
chrissu
Member
The suggestions by Mr. Wilson inspired me to create a rock wall of my own. I used his suggestion of 1 to 2 parts oyster shell with 1 part hydraulic cement. I also used some live rock, which really helped. I've very happy with the results and thought I'd post a few pictures. I keep with a minimalistic look. The rock on the wall is where the hydraulic cement work was done. The rocks on the bottom are real with no hydraulic cement. It's only been 3 weeks since I did this and everything is already blending well.
Thanks Mr. Wilson!
Thanks Mr. Wilson!
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I cannot believe that this thread came back from the dead.
I am building a tank off of this thread and it is perfect timing to say the least.
I am building a tank off of this thread and it is perfect timing to say the least.
Hopefully back from the dead again!!!
I must say I have really gotten some amazing ideas from this thread, thanks so much Mr Wilson as well as everyone else participating...
Mr Wilson Im hoping I can bounce and idea off you for a tank Im in the process of building. I have a 36x24x24 rimless im building, Im not wanting to put an overflow box in it and I can do an exterior due to location of tank. After seeing this thread my thought was to drill 2 holes in the far left corner, use one for a drain and the other for a return...I would then build my rock wall around them using the wall as my overflow. I really like your drain and would like to use it as a guide...I am wondering what your thoughts are on this, any foreseeable problems?
My plan is to build full height in the left back corner (overflow area) the taper down in the back to the far right section of the back glass. I will also do a fast taper on the left side window...all this hiding the overflow pvc behind it
Thanks for the help!!
I must say I have really gotten some amazing ideas from this thread, thanks so much Mr Wilson as well as everyone else participating...
Mr Wilson Im hoping I can bounce and idea off you for a tank Im in the process of building. I have a 36x24x24 rimless im building, Im not wanting to put an overflow box in it and I can do an exterior due to location of tank. After seeing this thread my thought was to drill 2 holes in the far left corner, use one for a drain and the other for a return...I would then build my rock wall around them using the wall as my overflow. I really like your drain and would like to use it as a guide...I am wondering what your thoughts are on this, any foreseeable problems?
My plan is to build full height in the left back corner (overflow area) the taper down in the back to the far right section of the back glass. I will also do a fast taper on the left side window...all this hiding the overflow pvc behind it
Thanks for the help!!
mr.wilson
.Registered Member
Return lines and rains work best when they are at opposite ends of the tank, but if that is your limitation, it works.
A rock wall will work as an overflow but it must be smooth and level. A friend of mine bought a ceramic back wall and chopped it down to fit the tank. He didn't get the cut straight so the water doesn't overflow efficiently (more from one side than the other and none in one part). I would build it out of egg crate for stability and structure and grind smooth out the top lip with a wet sponge before it completely dries.
Remember to add some coral shelves to make life easier. Eventually your hard work will blend in with the incrusting sponges, colonial polyps, and coraline algae.
Good luck with your project.
SylvesterGraham
New member
RIP Reef Ceramics. Did they go out of business?
SylvesterGraham
New member
Ok, yes, they're gone. But what I mean is, are there any alternatives?
MarineGirl411
New member
I have a question, I want to do this for my 90g tank. I want to do half the side walls and part of the back walls. Do I have to do it directly in the tank? Or can I adhere it somewhere else? I would like to be able to eventually take it out someday if I ever sell the tank. Please let me know. I have been considering reef ceramics wall just for the fact that I can remove it.
HippieSmell
Occupy Reef Central
But, I NEED my hands!
I think marco rocks, prime cuts are pretty cool.
Why would it crack the glass?
I attached my DIY rock directly to my glass and nothing happened after close to 3 years.
The tank is down now but if I start this tank back up I will build the rock work back up where it eroded over time.
Most people are worried about not liking the rock work and having issue with removal.
Just quikrete water stop hydraulic cement with southdown sand. On the walls I went heavier on the cement like 2 - 3:1 ratio and on the rock work it was more of a 1:1.
It was just natural eroison over time and the areas that showed the most were the thinnest like 1/8 inch. I simply covered the back and two sides for the heck of it.
The tank was small, 5.5, but dry weight the rockwork was around 23 pounds but porous.
If you were going with a large tank it might be worth attaching the rock work sheets with magnets or other.
After I broke my tank down I did an acid wash and took a close look and I saw some cracking but not anything to worry about. If I set the tank back up I will fill in the cracks and holes again.
It was just natural eroison over time and the areas that showed the most were the thinnest like 1/8 inch. I simply covered the back and two sides for the heck of it.
The tank was small, 5.5, but dry weight the rockwork was around 23 pounds but porous.
If you were going with a large tank it might be worth attaching the rock work sheets with magnets or other.
After I broke my tank down I did an acid wash and took a close look and I saw some cracking but not anything to worry about. If I set the tank back up I will fill in the cracks and holes again.
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