Rock Work and PVC Rack ?

[jjmatti]

I am setting up a 180 gallon and am looking to find some threads on how to aquascape using my live rock and PVC to make cliffs and caves. I saw some diagrams in Calfo's book " Ag uide to Coral Prop" but am looking to see if anyone here has any good ideas.
Do you guys know of any threads that might help me? I have done searches but keep coming up empty.
Thanks,
Jason

 

[Habib]

Jason, I moved it from the Feedback forum (for site related stuff into here (the RD forum). Let me know if you prefer it to be moved to another forum.

 

[jjmatti]

No problem, just am trying to see some pics of how people made the most of thier live rock. I know someone on here has taken some pictures and has some good ideas...

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=665314&perpage=25&pagenumber=29

Follow that page all the way to page 32 and you will get a great example. It might not be extremely detailed, but you should get the idea.

 

[theatrus]

Good thread! I like those towers

 

[jjmatti]

He definitely had a great idea. Using the pillars to build around. I am going to try to incorporate that. I think that might work for building the arches.
Although I am still looking to see if I can find a pic of how to build a dramatic overhang. I want my rock work to be as open as possible with lots of "flat" spots to put corals and frags.

 

[MCary]

I thought about using the plastic shelves they sell at Lowes. If you put them in upside down there is actual a tray with a grid created.

The set of shelves was $12. I'm going to pick some up and do some experimenting.

Mike

 

[jjmatti]

MCary,

take some pics and post them here when you get a chance. I am interested to see what kind of shelves they are.
I once tried making a shelf or stand out of PVC and eggcrate but to make a large made covering it difficult.
It seems the drilling and slipping over pipe is the most effective in getting good coverage.

 

[TCU Reefer]

I don't have a step by step guide but here's a couple pics on how I did my aquascaping.

Laid out the tank dimensions and played with a few formations

Drilled flat rock for the pillars

Finished aquascaping product (I didn't use PVC for the right structure)

 

[Chihuahua6]

Love it TCU! Was it hard drilling through the rock?

 

[theedudenator]

I like that also!!

I do wonder how hard it is to drill the rock!

Is PVC bad for the tank?

 

[TCU Reefer]

Live rock is pretty easy to drill since it's very soft. I used a 1" carbon hole saw bit. As long as you don't drill too close to the edge of the rock, you're golden. Piece of cake.

 

[jjmatti]

TCU ,
That is awesome. I see now how you did that overhang.

 

[bohlke]

TCU - Did you pull that rock out of your tank and drill it, if so did you have to cure it before you put it back in your tank?