PVC Pipe for aquascape - Page 2

Toddrtrex · 01/04/2005, 09:00 PM

Thanks Micki - overall it turned out better than I expected. The only issue I am having right now is that one of my BTAs has moved a bit to close to my Haddoni, hopefully the BTA will move again ( or I will re-arrange the rock it is attached to ) I had made a "cove" in the rock work for the Haddoni.

Dag · 02/25/2006, 11:31 PM

Any pictures to update this thread?

Micki · 02/26/2006, 07:26 AM

Whoa, a blast from the past!!! I had to figure out what the heck this thread even was!

My husband ended upi making acrylic stands. I think we have one left in the tank now. The tank will be 1 year old tomorrow! I will be adding some pictures to my 125 thread (clickl on my red house) tomorrow.

Dag · 02/26/2006, 09:43 AM

only one left because you didn't like them?

Micki · 02/26/2006, 09:49 AM

Only one left because I changed some of the rockwork and a they started breaking. If we were to make more we would use a different type of glue and would not have that problem.

rdmpe · 02/26/2006, 11:44 AM

You could use a pvc base buried under the sand with a vertical pipe coming up to attach the rock to for stability. I did something like that only my vertical pvc pipes are part of my closed loop.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...81#post6698681

reelbadfish · 02/26/2006, 12:09 PM

Not to change the subject, but does anyone know if it's safe to paint PVC? I would rather not wait fo coralline algae to cover it.

justinzimm · 02/26/2006, 12:33 PM

Try using milkcrates that you can buy almost anywhere. Turn them over and cut them to the proper height (and depth). Makes a good shelf.

Justin

rdmpe · 02/26/2006, 01:07 PM

I painted mine with regular krylon flat black. A lot of people like to use the krylon fusion which is marketed to be used for plastic...

Micki · 02/26/2006, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by reelbadfish
Not to change the subject, but does anyone know if it's safe to paint PVC? I would rather not wait fo coralline algae to cover it.

I know permanent marker is safe.

xtrstangx · 02/26/2006, 05:36 PM

I'm going to use 3/4" PVC and making my shelves out of it.. then cut some egg-crate to fit over the top and zip-tie it down. This should provide a flat base for the rock to sit on and still leave the rockwork open (probably want to leave as much open though for fish..)

NicoleRM · 02/26/2006, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Not to change the subject, but does anyone know if it's safe to paint PVC? I would rather not wait fo coralline algae to cover it.

You could always cover the pipes with a thin coat of DIY rock mix. This is what I plan to do when I reaquascape and it should make them all but invisible.

NexDog · 02/26/2006, 07:14 PM

I made PVC racks but I have them on a closed loop powered by a big Sequence 1000. My ethos is to keep the area under the racks free of detritus so I can hav sand in the front.

An example rack:

In action with a sand test. Pump off:

Pump on:

In the tank:

Covered in rock:

Left side:

Still need a bit more rock in there but plan to start stocking in March.

Alaskan Reefer · 02/26/2006, 08:18 PM

All on PVC racks, and the height varies. There are basically no rocks supporting each other's weight in my reef -- save for a few in the front. Coraline coverage is already starting just 8 weeks in, so it's not such a big deal to just wait.

Dag · 02/26/2006, 09:43 PM

I was thinking about using aragoncrete to cover the PVC pipes. Is that even necessary? Or can I cover the racks with rock and other stuff?

xtrstangx · 02/26/2006, 09:48 PM

You can use sharpie on PVC.. its reef safe.

cerreta · 02/27/2006, 12:15 AM

may be a tad late, but here are a few smples of the cpvc overhanging rock ledge zi built several years ago. It is still working strong. The cpvc is smaller in diameter than 1/2" pvc and fairly esy to hide.

Zip tie large pieces of rock to the frame first.

then add pieces on top to create the overhang ledge and cover the cpvc

the finished aquascape

a couple years later when covered by corals
http://members.cox.net/sdcerreta/Ree...%202%20044.jpg

cerreta · 02/27/2006, 12:16 AM

may be a tad late, but here are a few smples of the cpvc overhanging rock ledge zi built several years ago. It is still working strong. The cpvc is smaller in diameter than 1/2" pvc and fairly esy to hide.

Zip tie large pieces of rock to the frame first.

then add pieces on top to create the overhang ledge and cover the cpvc

the finished aquascape

a couple years later when covered by corals

Micki · 02/27/2006, 07:07 AM

cerreta, very cool!

Dag · 02/27/2006, 09:34 AM

Scott,

I see you drilled all the pipes. Do you have water running through it?

cerreta · 02/27/2006, 11:46 AM

Dag, no water through the pipes. The holes were placed to anchor wire ties when going around pipe was not an option and to let water inside the piping so air does not get trapped in there.

Dag · 02/27/2006, 04:31 PM

Were you ever concerned about detritus build up inside the pipes?

cerreta · 02/27/2006, 05:51 PM

no, never considered it.

flyhigh123 · 02/27/2006, 07:10 PM

i should post some pics... i used CPVC, its much smaller in diameter... bought a drill press and drilled all my rock and ran the pipes through the rock. This gave me a very open formation as well as a lot of swimming room. It also let me build some very cool ledges and overhangs that most freelaying rock cant do...

01/04/2005, 09:00 PM	#26
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	Thanks Micki - overall it turned out better than I expected. The only issue I am having right now is that one of my BTAs has moved a bit to close to my Haddoni, hopefully the BTA will move again ( or I will re-arrange the rock it is attached to ) I had made a "cove" in the rock work for the Haddoni. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

02/25/2006, 11:31 PM	#27
Dag Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,292	Any pictures to update this thread? __________________ Aryeh Life is too short to learn everything from experience. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon reef tank

02/26/2006, 07:26 AM	#28
Micki Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 7,163	Whoa, a blast from the past!!! I had to figure out what the heck this thread even was! My husband ended upi making acrylic stands. I think we have one left in the tank now. The tank will be 1 year old tomorrow! I will be adding some pictures to my 125 thread (clickl on my red house) tomorrow. __________________ Micki... Western Ohio Reef Club Click the red house for my 125 progress! Current Tank Info: 125 gal. reef, 90 gal. sump, 10 gal. fuge, 40 gallon. 150 gallon fish only.

02/26/2006, 09:43 AM	#29
Dag Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,292	only one left because you didn't like them? __________________ Aryeh Life is too short to learn everything from experience. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon reef tank

02/26/2006, 09:49 AM	#30
Micki Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 7,163	Only one left because I changed some of the rockwork and a they started breaking. If we were to make more we would use a different type of glue and would not have that problem. __________________ Micki... Western Ohio Reef Club Click the red house for my 125 progress! Current Tank Info: 125 gal. reef, 90 gal. sump, 10 gal. fuge, 40 gallon. 150 gallon fish only.

02/26/2006, 11:44 AM	#31
rdmpe Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Central Florida Posts: 3,737	You could use a pvc base buried under the sand with a vertical pipe coming up to attach the rock to for stability. I did something like that only my vertical pvc pipes are part of my closed loop. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...81#post6698681

02/26/2006, 12:09 PM	#32
reelbadfish Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Appleton, WI Posts: 210	Not to change the subject, but does anyone know if it's safe to paint PVC? I would rather not wait fo coralline algae to cover it. __________________ ~Reelbadfish

02/26/2006, 12:33 PM	#33
justinzimm Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 427	Try using milkcrates that you can buy almost anywhere. Turn them over and cut them to the proper height (and depth). Makes a good shelf. Justin

02/26/2006, 01:07 PM	#34
rdmpe Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Central Florida Posts: 3,737	I painted mine with regular krylon flat black. A lot of people like to use the krylon fusion which is marketed to be used for plastic...

02/26/2006, 05:36 PM	#36
xtrstangx Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Shawnee, Kansas Posts: 4,568	I'm going to use 3/4" PVC and making my shelves out of it.. then cut some egg-crate to fit over the top and zip-tie it down. This should provide a flat base for the rock to sit on and still leave the rockwork open (probably want to leave as much open though for fish..)

02/26/2006, 07:14 PM	#38
NexDog Snail Killer Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kyushu, Japan Posts: 4,804	I made PVC racks but I have them on a closed loop powered by a big Sequence 1000. My ethos is to keep the area under the racks free of detritus so I can hav sand in the front. An example rack: In action with a sand test. Pump off: Pump on: In the tank: Covered in rock: Left side: Still need a bit more rock in there but plan to start stocking in March. __________________ Laurence Flynn 340g In-Wall Envision Tank and 150g Sump. Current Tank Info: Deltec 902, PFO hood with 3x400w Radium 20k and 4x96w PC's. Hammerhead closed loop - and 2 x Tunze 6105 (and Vortech still sucks).

02/26/2006, 08:18 PM	#39
Alaskan Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,360	All on PVC racks, and the height varies. There are basically no rocks supporting each other's weight in my reef -- save for a few in the front. Coraline coverage is already starting just 8 weeks in, so it's not such a big deal to just wait. __________________ Unattended children will be given double shot espresso and a free puppy. Current Tank Info: 125g FOWLR -- Conversion Back To SPS In Progress

02/26/2006, 09:43 PM	#40
Dag Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,292	I was thinking about using aragoncrete to cover the PVC pipes. Is that even necessary? Or can I cover the racks with rock and other stuff? __________________ Aryeh Life is too short to learn everything from experience. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon reef tank

02/26/2006, 09:48 PM	#41
xtrstangx Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Shawnee, Kansas Posts: 4,568	You can use sharpie on PVC.. its reef safe.

02/27/2006, 12:15 AM	#42
cerreta Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 2,551	may be a tad late, but here are a few smples of the cpvc overhanging rock ledge zi built several years ago. It is still working strong. The cpvc is smaller in diameter than 1/2" pvc and fairly esy to hide. Zip tie large pieces of rock to the frame first. then add pieces on top to create the overhang ledge and cover the cpvc the finished aquascape a couple years later when covered by corals http://members.cox.net/sdcerreta/Ree...%202%20044.jpg __________________ Cheers, Scott

02/27/2006, 12:16 AM	#43
cerreta Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 2,551	may be a tad late, but here are a few smples of the cpvc overhanging rock ledge zi built several years ago. It is still working strong. The cpvc is smaller in diameter than 1/2" pvc and fairly esy to hide. Zip tie large pieces of rock to the frame first. then add pieces on top to create the overhang ledge and cover the cpvc the finished aquascape a couple years later when covered by corals __________________ Cheers, Scott

02/27/2006, 07:07 AM	#44
Micki Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 7,163	cerreta, very cool! __________________ Micki... Western Ohio Reef Club Click the red house for my 125 progress! Current Tank Info: 125 gal. reef, 90 gal. sump, 10 gal. fuge, 40 gallon. 150 gallon fish only.

02/27/2006, 09:34 AM	#45
Dag Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,292	Scott, I see you drilled all the pipes. Do you have water running through it? __________________ Aryeh Life is too short to learn everything from experience. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon reef tank

02/27/2006, 11:46 AM	#46
cerreta Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 2,551	Dag, no water through the pipes. The holes were placed to anchor wire ties when going around pipe was not an option and to let water inside the piping so air does not get trapped in there. __________________ Cheers, Scott

02/27/2006, 04:31 PM	#47
Dag Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,292	Were you ever concerned about detritus build up inside the pipes? __________________ Aryeh Life is too short to learn everything from experience. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon reef tank

02/27/2006, 05:51 PM	#48
cerreta Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 2,551	no, never considered it. __________________ Cheers, Scott

02/27/2006, 07:10 PM	#49
flyhigh123 funky member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Hacienda Heights (605 and 60 fwy) Posts: 1,893	i should post some pics... i used CPVC, its much smaller in diameter... bought a drill press and drilled all my rock and ran the pipes through the rock. This gave me a very open formation as well as a lot of swimming room. It also let me build some very cool ledges and overhangs that most freelaying rock cant do...