Ceramics or plaster in a SW system??

Saltydrip · 04/25/2012, 06:07 AM

My girlfriend and I a gearing up tords our 150G build in sometime next year. I was thinking it would be way cool to build our find done small guarden ornaments that are "Roman Parthenonish" to do an Atlantis theme build. Basicaly a bunch of rubble. I'm starting to think I should do some research and start soaking whatever I might end up using. Maybe even start the cure process way early. I'm impatient and like to plan for the most efficient build. (efficient not fast). I know I can only go as fast as nature allows so if there is something that won't work with concrete, plaster, or ceramic please speek up. I really want to avoid a 150G FAIL!!

jerseygurl · 04/25/2012, 06:38 AM

Putting anything foreign in your tank is a risk that I'd avoid. You never know what might leach out. Cool idea but I wouldn't risk it. We had a customer that found a rock/shell thing in the ocean that he thought looked cool, so he brought it home, boiled it and stuck it in his tank. DEATH, killed everything, not exactly sure why but still.

Ron Reefman · 04/25/2012, 06:43 AM

Soaking it so bad stuff can leech out can takes months... even years. I wouldn't do what you are considering, but if I were, I'd find out what you can seal the item with that will hold up to long term immersion in saltwater. I hate saying this, but you see the guys on Tanked (the TV show) do this with fiberglass items they stick in the tanks they build.

ken55 · 04/25/2012, 08:08 AM

Probably not what you had in mind but I see that sort of thing in the pet shops frequently. At least coloms (sp?),colosseums, little stone bridges and such. You could take various pieces/parts and cut/combine/create to make your own style with it.

As far as I know (could be wrong!) these are made of an inert plastic and should be Ok in a SW tank.

HTH

jerseygurl · 04/25/2012, 08:17 AM

If he could find something that is specifically saltwater safe, okay, otherwise I say why take a chance. I'm a little gun shy because we serviced so many tanks over the years and have seen so many FAILS. I'm risk averse.

Saltydrip · 04/25/2012, 10:55 AM

I'm hesitant to do it but it would make a cool setup. I'm just doin the research now to see if there is something proven to be safe. I don't want to try something new.

04/25/2012, 06:07 AM	#1
Saltydrip Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 1,826	Ceramics or plaster in a SW system?? My girlfriend and I a gearing up tords our 150G build in sometime next year. I was thinking it would be way cool to build our find done small guarden ornaments that are "Roman Parthenonish" to do an Atlantis theme build. Basicaly a bunch of rubble. I'm starting to think I should do some research and start soaking whatever I might end up using. Maybe even start the cure process way early. I'm impatient and like to plan for the most efficient build. (efficient not fast). I know I can only go as fast as nature allows so if there is something that won't work with concrete, plaster, or ceramic please speek up. I really want to avoid a 150G FAIL!! __________________ Current tank 48" 75g DT w/ 55g sump/fuge.

04/25/2012, 06:43 AM	#3
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	Soaking it so bad stuff can leech out can takes months... even years. I wouldn't do what you are considering, but if I were, I'd find out what you can seal the item with that will hold up to long term immersion in saltwater. I hate saying this, but you see the guys on Tanked (the TV show) do this with fiberglass items they stick in the tanks they build. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

04/25/2012, 08:08 AM	#4
ken55 A wing and a prayer Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: SoChes Posts: 635	Probably not what you had in mind but I see that sort of thing in the pet shops frequently. At least coloms (sp?),colosseums, little stone bridges and such. You could take various pieces/parts and cut/combine/create to make your own style with it. As far as I know (could be wrong!) these are made of an inert plastic and should be Ok in a SW tank. HTH __________________ Current tank info: Last time I saw them they were leaning against a tree in my ex's backyard.

04/25/2012, 10:55 AM	#6
Saltydrip Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 1,826	I'm hesitant to do it but it would make a cool setup. I'm just doin the research now to see if there is something proven to be safe. I don't want to try something new. __________________ Current tank 48" 75g DT w/ 55g sump/fuge.

04/25/2012, 06:38 AM	#2
jerseygurl Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 329	Putting anything foreign in your tank is a risk that I'd avoid. You never know what might leach out. Cool idea but I wouldn't risk it. We had a customer that found a rock/shell thing in the ocean that he thought looked cool, so he brought it home, boiled it and stuck it in his tank. DEATH, killed everything, not exactly sure why but still.

04/25/2012, 08:17 AM	#5
jerseygurl Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 329	If he could find something that is specifically saltwater safe, okay, otherwise I say why take a chance. I'm a little gun shy because we serviced so many tanks over the years and have seen so many FAILS. I'm risk averse.