How do you support your rocks?
- Thread starter Dargason
- Start date
Hi All,
I didn't invent the pvc-idea myself. I first saw some pvc-constructions in one of the books bij Fossa and Nilsen.
I made my construction with the following things in mind:
<LI> open space between rocks: more water movement between the rocks, less detritus build up
<LI> More swimming space for the fish
<LI> A 'pile' in the middle of the tank ensures that the fish won't see each other anytime, thus reducing agression
<LI> A more creative reef structure than the usual brick wall
I think I succeeded in my attempt. This setup works a little more than a year now, it works fine. Looks good, I'll use the same technique whenever I set up a new tank.
Here's a pic of the structure I used to build the reef pile. I just drilled holes the same size of the pvc in the rock, and stacked them on the pipes.
The structure is shown the way I am using it, with some elbows I made a stable 'foot'..
Here's a pic of the same construction, with LR and corals, of course..
Tanu www.tanu.nl
I didn't invent the pvc-idea myself. I first saw some pvc-constructions in one of the books bij Fossa and Nilsen.
I made my construction with the following things in mind:
<LI> open space between rocks: more water movement between the rocks, less detritus build up
<LI> More swimming space for the fish
<LI> A 'pile' in the middle of the tank ensures that the fish won't see each other anytime, thus reducing agression
<LI> A more creative reef structure than the usual brick wall
I think I succeeded in my attempt. This setup works a little more than a year now, it works fine. Looks good, I'll use the same technique whenever I set up a new tank.
Here's a pic of the structure I used to build the reef pile. I just drilled holes the same size of the pvc in the rock, and stacked them on the pipes.
The structure is shown the way I am using it, with some elbows I made a stable 'foot'..
Here's a pic of the same construction, with LR and corals, of course..
Tanu www.tanu.nl
dargason,
I used 1/2" pvc, HD sells the eggcrate, it is also referred to as a light diffuser I believe.
RevAZC,
In the first picture you can see a vertical piece of pvc, on the end of that I have a Hagen 402 powerhead. I have the powerhead mounted high up so that I can perform maintenance on it and have the option of changing it out for a larger powerhead down the road. I have holes drilled along the middle and back row of pvc every couple of inches, I can't remember what size they were though. You just have to make sure that they are either facing "horizontal" or slightly higher, if they face down they will continually stir up the sand.
Scott
I used 1/2" pvc, HD sells the eggcrate, it is also referred to as a light diffuser I believe.
RevAZC,
In the first picture you can see a vertical piece of pvc, on the end of that I have a Hagen 402 powerhead. I have the powerhead mounted high up so that I can perform maintenance on it and have the option of changing it out for a larger powerhead down the road. I have holes drilled along the middle and back row of pvc every couple of inches, I can't remember what size they were though. You just have to make sure that they are either facing "horizontal" or slightly higher, if they face down they will continually stir up the sand.
Scott
Ok, it's not finished yet, but I'm ready for some feedback. This is what it looks like right now:
I'm going to take the whole PVC structure and set it on some 2-3 inch "feet" made from some 2-inch PVC fittings like someone suggested. This should hold the rocks up off the sand and prevent excessive compaction of the sand bed. The horizontal pieces on the raised sections are going to be used as spraybars to provide a bit of current from behind the rock. I figure 1 MP1200 for each half should do it.
Any suggestions? For aquascaping, I think I'm going to try a twin-peaks sort of thing with a valley full of corals in the middle.
Mike
I'm going to take the whole PVC structure and set it on some 2-3 inch "feet" made from some 2-inch PVC fittings like someone suggested. This should hold the rocks up off the sand and prevent excessive compaction of the sand bed. The horizontal pieces on the raised sections are going to be used as spraybars to provide a bit of current from behind the rock. I figure 1 MP1200 for each half should do it.
Any suggestions? For aquascaping, I think I'm going to try a twin-peaks sort of thing with a valley full of corals in the middle.
Mike
Looks great. Are you going to use fishing string to tie the rock in place. Please explaine the spaybar in more detail. It sounds like a very interesting idea. All the ideas I can get right now are of great help. I am in the designing stages of a 240 to 350 gal. reef. A bit of an upgrade from my 90.
Good Luck
Walter
Good Luck
Walter
Well, I have a few large pieces of show rock that will probably been put down first. In order to hide the PVC beneath them, I expect that they will overhang the PVC quite a bit, so I'll probably tie them in place. At this point I don't think I'll tie the others unless I need to. It all depends on how stable it seems.
For the spray bar, I was just planning on drilling a few holes in horizontal supports and pumping some water into the structure at the back. I'm not looking for strong current, just enough to help reduce the amount of stuff that settles on my rocks and corals. I haven't got all the details worked out, but I think all I have to do is replace one of the elbows with a T and insert the end of a PH into the open hole.
For the spray bar, I was just planning on drilling a few holes in horizontal supports and pumping some water into the structure at the back. I'm not looking for strong current, just enough to help reduce the amount of stuff that settles on my rocks and corals. I haven't got all the details worked out, but I think all I have to do is replace one of the elbows with a T and insert the end of a PH into the open hole.
Dargason,
I installed my powerhead by simply putting a T in the middle of one of the long pvc sections and plugging the powerhead into it. Make sure that you place the powerhead so that it is accessible for maintenance down the road. That is why mine is lifted above and to the side of my rack. The rack looks pretty good, I am very happy with how mine has worked for me, hopefully you will be with yours.
Scott
I installed my powerhead by simply putting a T in the middle of one of the long pvc sections and plugging the powerhead into it. Make sure that you place the powerhead so that it is accessible for maintenance down the road. That is why mine is lifted above and to the side of my rack. The rack looks pretty good, I am very happy with how mine has worked for me, hopefully you will be with yours.
Scott
Dargason, your 'frame' looks cool!
The two 'piles' you're gonna build will maybe look even more spectacular when you make them taller.. This way you can create very impressing effects..
I hope you post pics asa you have the rockwork ready? Cable ties may be of great help constructing the rockwork! Be sure to use BLACK ties, as these aren't as sensitive to UV as the white ones..
Tanu www.tanu.nl
The two 'piles' you're gonna build will maybe look even more spectacular when you make them taller.. This way you can create very impressing effects..
I hope you post pics asa you have the rockwork ready? Cable ties may be of great help constructing the rockwork! Be sure to use BLACK ties, as these aren't as sensitive to UV as the white ones..
Tanu www.tanu.nl
Tanu-
I saw your idea several months ago and was very impressed. Unfortunately I don't have a digital camera and haven't scanned any pictures. I build two towers aroung 20" tall with very cool overhangs. This allows for a wide range of corals in a rather small area and lots of swimming area for the fish. Thanks again for the idea, I love the way my tank looks.
Bryan
I saw your idea several months ago and was very impressed. Unfortunately I don't have a digital camera and haven't scanned any pictures. I build two towers aroung 20" tall with very cool overhangs. This allows for a wide range of corals in a rather small area and lots of swimming area for the fish. Thanks again for the idea, I love the way my tank looks.
Bryan
Thanks for your comments!
As far as the height, keep in mind that the "feet" will add another 3 inches or so, and the rocks/corals will stick up above the top of the rack. I should have it full pretty much to the surface. I'm aiming to get plenty of fairly flat spots to put corals, and I'll rearrange the stand a bit if I have to.
Should I try to wash this thing before I use it? Any opinions on where to to point the returns?
As far as the height, keep in mind that the "feet" will add another 3 inches or so, and the rocks/corals will stick up above the top of the rack. I should have it full pretty much to the surface. I'm aiming to get plenty of fairly flat spots to put corals, and I'll rearrange the stand a bit if I have to.
Should I try to wash this thing before I use it? Any opinions on where to to point the returns?
I don't know the english name for this bit, but it's the kind of bit you use to drill brick walls and so on.
I used the same size bit as the pvc-tubes, the tubes just snugly fit into the holes.
Very interested to see other tanks decorated with this technique..
Tanu www.tanu.nl
I used the same size bit as the pvc-tubes, the tubes just snugly fit into the holes.
Very interested to see other tanks decorated with this technique..
Tanu www.tanu.nl
Dargason,
I a previous tank I painted some PVC and it eventually just started to flake off, it will take time but the pvc will have coralline begin to grow on it and make it less conspicuous. A little creative placement of liverock and you won't be able to see it anyway. Anywhere along the front where there was a foot showing I just put a small piece of rock in front of it on the sand.
Scott
I a previous tank I painted some PVC and it eventually just started to flake off, it will take time but the pvc will have coralline begin to grow on it and make it less conspicuous. A little creative placement of liverock and you won't be able to see it anyway. Anywhere along the front where there was a foot showing I just put a small piece of rock in front of it on the sand.
Scott
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