i wanna make some artifical rocks for my tank. ik of the foam and cement method, but i dont have any cement to work with. but i do have plaster of paris to use. would i be able to cut the rock shapes out of the foam, cover it with plaster of paris, paint it, then seal it with silicon or marine epoxy? also would it be safe to use?
Plaster of Paris dissolves in water, therefore I would advise against it. Completely sealing it would be a lot of trouble, and then you'd have to worry about the toxicity of whatever coatings you're using.
Cement is really cheap, and available at almost any home improvement store. Check out the GARF(.org)site for methods of making rocks, you don't have to add the aragonite either, pure cement or pebbles works.
Hi
I've made several setups above above and below water using "expanding "foam .
It has a few drawbacks but can be overcome fairly simply.
First it is EXTREMELy bouyant and though it is very adhesive it will let go in deep water.
The best method IMO is to form the "rocks " on a sheet of waxpaper . let it cure then carve into the desired shape . Paint with acrylic paint, let that cure . Then arrange these pieces in the tank . Use silicone to adhere to the glass and to each other . Or if you want it movable to a pice of real flat rock such as sandstone,
I found no advantage to using the cement or the cyanoacrylics . just made it more difficult. These will also affect the pH of the water while the foam will not.
The expanding foam comes in three degrees of expansion the LEAST expanding resulted in the least pourous strongest structure . I'm also of the opinion that "Great stuff" has a better result.
have one paludarium that has been setup since 01 where I keep Tetras , never have had a pH swing or any toxic effect, nor has it shown any form of deterioration.
Same is true of the acrylic paint . It has lasted just as long as the two part epoxies.
for about a third the cost.
have used it exclusively in these setups .A palludarim . A Rift lake setup ,A basis for a waterfall and a 150 gallon planted that is maintained in the shadehouse.
It is possible to get various materials to adhere to it but found the curing and then using silicone to adhere other materials to it much longer lasting particularly underwater.
Are you artistic??? That would be tremendous as with acrylic paint the effects are endless. I have found to keep the color scheme simple as plants grow on it with gusto . So your effect is lost. Dark colors seem the best in my opinion.
Buy a can and play with the rocks lol Be sure to wear disposable gloves as it;s incredibly adhesive until cured.
Is this Fresh or SW?? gary
Hi
Have an above water waterfall use that has been continuously running since 01.
Longest underwater 03 both are still holding well. You could go ahead and us two part epoxy paint but cost about 4 times more,
You can smear silicone on it and adhere gravel sand, rocks works but limited colors
Only fish issue has been that Chinese algae eaters actually scrape the paint off lol
They out grew the tank so appently it wasn't toxic maybe delicious ??lol
Be sure the foam is cured (24 hours) be sure it is dry then apply acrylic and be sure it's very dry also. I used it on a "Seep wall" using a wet brush technique which allow the paint to run or pool. .Makes a fantastic marbled look.
Would be interesting to try a "Faux finish" applying various colors to simulate true stone .. Marble granite. Tigereye, moonstone. but would require some talent and besides like the real stuff it gets a coating oof algae. and plants grow on it well .
You can buy a can for under 5 bucks ,get one and "experiment" with carving and the finish. BTW, an excellent acrylic is a type called "Patio Paint" available at craft store. in small quantities . Go ahead and make tht star sapphire or copper laced turquoise lol Would be fun to try and simulate say an Amethyst crystal geode.
Wear those disposable gloves or you'll be wearing it for weeks!!!! gary
Hi
Of course you can use real rock . Thing I always disliked about it was the choice of colors the weight and of course the cost.. Slate would be a good choice also that stuff called Feather rock " light weight but all I've found are a dull gray color.
Another method would be to make some rocks using Hypertufa. LOT more work than the foam lol gary
