aquascaping

nick063 · 03/31/2009, 06:40 PM

so i will be moving here in a month or so and i'm thinking of setting up a new aquascape with more lr, but my questions are what are the best ways to secure the lr? i know they sell epoxy putty, but is that better than pvc structures? also what is the idea behind not compacting the sand under the lr? any photos or aquascaping would be greatly appreciated!!! thanks!!!

lougotzz · 03/31/2009, 06:44 PM

I can answer the question why you shouldnt stack rock over sand. If rock is on top of sand, a member of your CUC can burrow under your rock and create a poor foundation digging around under your rock. If the rock is on the glass, it can not go under the rock, not creating a poor foundation.

nick063 · 03/31/2009, 07:41 PM

well i have seen people prop up their lr with pvc so it does not compact the live sand, the cuc still would not be able to get under the lr

gawf4fun · 03/31/2009, 11:32 PM

A lot of people use the putty to secure rock, but I found that when cleaning the back walls of my corner pentagon I would still knock it over occasionally. After too many unintentional frag sessions, I decided to re-aquascape my 170 pounds of live rock.

I'd heard from a friend about creating rock tower structures by drilling holes in the LR and mounting it on a PVC structure made of 1/2" PVC. Now when I accidentally elbow a tower, the tower wobbles, but it won't fall down. Kind of like those weebles.

Here's a pic of the finished tower formations after the job. I neglected to take photos while building unfortunately.

and here's a photo after a year and a half or so of growth... [IMG]

[/IMG]

Good luck with your move and whatever you decide on your aquascaping.

mark

airdog67 · 04/01/2009, 12:39 AM

I used good ol gravity, and then when i get board with the way this looks I can change it up a bit. Good luck. BTW sorry my pic are not very good.

nick063 · 04/01/2009, 08:00 AM

gawf4fun -very nice, how do you have the pvc structure supported, is their a base under your sandbed?

airdog, are those all one attached pieces of rock or several glued together?

Patroklos · 04/01/2009, 09:32 AM

Don't use PVC pipe, the inside of the pipe can become refuse traps and cause some nasty chemistry problems after awhile.

Instead, use acrylic rods.

gawf4fun · 04/01/2009, 05:50 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by nick063
[B]gawf4fun -very nice, how do you have the pvc structure supported, is their a base under your sandbed?

I glued a base structure together which is under the sand bed, and then ran the PVC pipe up from the joint elbows.

+1 Patroklos. Had I been privy to this info, I would have used acrylic rods. As it is however, I was lucky enough to have the PVC openings still exposed and accessable so at every third week water change I stick a powerhead down the openings for about 5 minutes to clear out the dead water.

snorvich · 04/01/2009, 06:02 PM

gawf4fun, nice tank and aquascaping. I agree with Patroklos.

gawf4fun · 04/01/2009, 06:37 PM

Thanks Snorvich. I appreciate it. It helped a lot to have the additional depth that a corner aquarium provides.

straydum · 04/01/2009, 08:38 PM

i've been wanting to use pvc pipes but i'm rather afraid of fishes going in and get stuck in there. its also a chore to clean.

is it possible to connect an air pump permanently into the pipes and maybe get a couple of holes here and there in the pipes? that why you remove the pipe chocking up with gunk problem and also eliminates dead spots behind rock formations.

03/31/2009, 06:40 PM	#1
nick063 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ocala, Florida Posts: 246	aquascaping so i will be moving here in a month or so and i'm thinking of setting up a new aquascape with more lr, but my questions are what are the best ways to secure the lr? i know they sell epoxy putty, but is that better than pvc structures? also what is the idea behind not compacting the sand under the lr? any photos or aquascaping would be greatly appreciated!!! thanks!!!

03/31/2009, 11:32 PM	#4
gawf4fun Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Lake Oswego, OR Posts: 342	A lot of people use the putty to secure rock, but I found that when cleaning the back walls of my corner pentagon I would still knock it over occasionally. After too many unintentional frag sessions, I decided to re-aquascape my 170 pounds of live rock. I'd heard from a friend about creating rock tower structures by drilling holes in the LR and mounting it on a PVC structure made of 1/2" PVC. Now when I accidentally elbow a tower, the tower wobbles, but it won't fall down. Kind of like those weebles. Here's a pic of the finished tower formations after the job. I neglected to take photos while building unfortunately. and here's a photo after a year and a half or so of growth... [IMG][/IMG] Good luck with your move and whatever you decide on your aquascaping. mark __________________ Beware the naked man who offers you his shirt... Reef Central Corner Club Current Tank Info: 38 gl Cadlights AIO lit by AI Sol Blue, 24 gl aquapod w/150 watt pendant at the office.

04/01/2009, 05:50 PM	#8
gawf4fun Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Lake Oswego, OR Posts: 342	[QUOTE]Originally posted by nick063 [B]gawf4fun -very nice, how do you have the pvc structure supported, is their a base under your sandbed? I glued a base structure together which is under the sand bed, and then ran the PVC pipe up from the joint elbows. +1 Patroklos. Had I been privy to this info, I would have used acrylic rods. As it is however, I was lucky enough to have the PVC openings still exposed and accessable so at every third week water change I stick a powerhead down the openings for about 5 minutes to clear out the dead water. __________________ Beware the naked man who offers you his shirt... Reef Central Corner Club Current Tank Info: 38 gl Cadlights AIO lit by AI Sol Blue, 24 gl aquapod w/150 watt pendant at the office.

04/01/2009, 06:02 PM	#9
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	gawf4fun, nice tank and aquascaping. I agree with Patroklos. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

04/01/2009, 06:37 PM	#10
gawf4fun Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Lake Oswego, OR Posts: 342	Thanks Snorvich. I appreciate it. It helped a lot to have the additional depth that a corner aquarium provides. __________________ Beware the naked man who offers you his shirt... Reef Central Corner Club Current Tank Info: 38 gl Cadlights AIO lit by AI Sol Blue, 24 gl aquapod w/150 watt pendant at the office.

03/31/2009, 06:44 PM	#2
lougotzz Moved On Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: PA Posts: 1,524	I can answer the question why you shouldnt stack rock over sand. If rock is on top of sand, a member of your CUC can burrow under your rock and create a poor foundation digging around under your rock. If the rock is on the glass, it can not go under the rock, not creating a poor foundation.

03/31/2009, 07:41 PM	#3
nick063 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ocala, Florida Posts: 246	well i have seen people prop up their lr with pvc so it does not compact the live sand, the cuc still would not be able to get under the lr

04/01/2009, 12:39 AM	#5
airdog67 Moved On Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Earth, I think Posts: 234	I used good ol gravity, and then when i get board with the way this looks I can change it up a bit. Good luck. BTW sorry my pic are not very good.

04/01/2009, 08:00 AM	#6
nick063 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ocala, Florida Posts: 246	gawf4fun -very nice, how do you have the pvc structure supported, is their a base under your sandbed? airdog, are those all one attached pieces of rock or several glued together?

04/01/2009, 09:32 AM	#7
Patroklos Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 272	Don't use PVC pipe, the inside of the pipe can become refuse traps and cause some nasty chemistry problems after awhile. Instead, use acrylic rods.

04/01/2009, 08:38 PM	#11
straydum Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Singapore Posts: 39	i've been wanting to use pvc pipes but i'm rather afraid of fishes going in and get stuck in there. its also a chore to clean. is it possible to connect an air pump permanently into the pipes and maybe get a couple of holes here and there in the pipes? that why you remove the pipe chocking up with gunk problem and also eliminates dead spots behind rock formations.