Reef scaping tips and tricks...

[Ohiomom]

It seems that many of the coral I like prefer to be on the sand. With my current aquascape, floor space is limited and taken so I am attempting to build some "higher" mounds and towers. Most of my rock is smaller pieces like 5-7", with 3 large pieces of at minimum 12" or so.

Any ideas of what is the best way to join pieces so they are stable would be appreciated..don't really want to go the trial and error route..

Thanks..

 

[hollback]

I used 5-6", 3/8" acrylic rod and a 3/8" masonry drill bit. Drilled the rocks and used the acrylic rod as pins. It was easy to keep my aquascaping really open and they can hold a lot of weight.

 

[Aadler]

What he said

 

[Ohiomom]

Thanks guys..generally the rocks don't split right?

 

[Esquare]

eggcrate, pvc and foam. You can check my gallery.

 

[Ohiomom]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14695988#post14695988 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Esquare
eggcrate, pvc and foam. You can check my gallery.

Nice gallery! already have eggcrate in place so that helps..

What kind of foam? It won't break down in time?

 

[sohal1025]

If you don't have acrylic rods you can cut a plastic hanger into small sections and use them for rods.

 

[Ohiomom]

See I knew posting this was a good idea..I would not have thought of that and I am usually the one who "rigs" things..

 

[Esquare]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14696435#post14696435 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ohiomom
Nice gallery! already have eggcrate in place so that helps..

What kind of foam? It won't break down in time?

Great stuff foam. There are many threads on RC revolving around it's use.

Thanks for the kind words.

 

[Ohiomom]

Will have to trace a few threads then..ty

 

[Aadler]

I use the black pond foam in one of my tanks. guess it last a bit longer than regular great stuff, but if you cover with 2part epoxy and sand... prolly dont matter.

 

[Esquare]

Kanin's is probably one of the biggest threads.

Aadler, I didn't use any epoxy, I just dumped a bunch of crushed coral on the foam while it was still wet and I ended up with a solid wall of coral rubble.

 

[Aadler]

Yea i did a bit of *editing* that way heh, but mostly 2parted it.