egg crate

lenny8671 · 12/02/2009, 04:57 AM

Hi i just got some black egg crate, but am stuck on how to scape it so it looks natural when the rock is on it. Do any of you guys have any ideas? I want to build up my lr on both sides to leave the middle for swimming space.

Thanks

MandM · 12/02/2009, 10:30 AM

I attached branched rock with zip ties. The zip ties won't degrade and will encrust with coralline or be covered up with corals.

lordofthereef · 12/02/2009, 11:45 AM

Most I have seen are done with zipties but nothing beats stacking rock on top of rock (for me anyway).

xJake · 12/02/2009, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MandM

The zip ties won't degrade and will encrust with coralline or be covered up with corals.

Actually, IIRC, I recently heard about a large reef display at a public aquarium where they used PVC pipe and zipties to make the rock structure. The zip ties ended up becoming extremely brittle after a few years, and one day one of the larger rocks got knocked loose. That rock fell and hit another rock which also broke loose because the zipties were so brittle, the chain reaction continued and it basically caused a rockslide throughout a large portion the main display.

I'm not sure of the details on what size zipties were used, or how well the rocks were attached. So, it could have simply been a matter of using too small zipties, too few zipties, or attaching them poorly to the PVC structure. But it's definitely possible for zipties to degrade (become brittle) and fail.

lenny8671 · 12/02/2009, 04:05 PM

thanks guys, am going to go for a shelved look using some conduit for legs, and hide everything with the lr.

12/02/2009, 04:57 AM	#1
lenny8671 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: hartlepool U.K Posts: 342	egg crate Hi i just got some black egg crate, but am stuck on how to scape it so it looks natural when the rock is on it. Do any of you guys have any ideas? I want to build up my lr on both sides to leave the middle for swimming space. Thanks

12/02/2009, 10:30 AM	#2
MandM sick yet brilliant Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Sacramento Posts: 1,497	I attached branched rock with zip ties. The zip ties won't degrade and will encrust with coralline or be covered up with corals. __________________ Sheila I was emo when emo wasn't cool If your not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate. Current Tank Info: 120g, 8g

12/02/2009, 11:45 AM	#3
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	Most I have seen are done with zipties but nothing beats stacking rock on top of rock (for me anyway). __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

12/02/2009, 04:05 PM	#5
lenny8671 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: hartlepool U.K Posts: 342	thanks guys, am going to go for a shelved look using some conduit for legs, and hide everything with the lr.