So boiling the rock will cause it to sink? Why? I figured that boiling driftwood caused it to 'soften' and soak up water. It doesn't seem like you could 'soften' rock by boiling. I am confused.
Feather Rock vs Lava Rock
- Thread starter drdud
- Start date
Lane Forest Products stopped getting shipments of it about a year ago apparently.
Unless we can get enough people together to use up 800 lbs of it, they're not gonna break up their last 800lb boulder of it.
I'll let you know if I find anything, but right now I'm only looking locally in the Eugene/Springfield area.
Unless we can get enough people together to use up 800 lbs of it, they're not gonna break up their last 800lb boulder of it.
I'll let you know if I find anything, but right now I'm only looking locally in the Eugene/Springfield area.
some alternate ideas to consider;
some place a thin foam pad under the rock pile buried in substrate to protect the bottom glass from rock pressure points.
some use regular silicon fish tank glue to attack the rocks to each other in a set formation before placing them in the tank.
I set a piece of egg crate on the bottom of my tanks to distribute the weight on the bottom. I am a little fearful of silicone. I had a 60% fish kill of a tank after introducing a DIY cave too early after silconing. I know there are good silicones, but......
Hi
Have you thought of using "expanding foam"?? Can be any size shape color and texture. A paring knife is all that's necessary to carve it.
Only major problem is the bouyancy. Real materials can be added to overcome that problem such as siliconing it to real rocks driftwood what have you. It will stick to glass but in deeper tanks tends to let go over time.
gary
Have you thought of using "expanding foam"?? Can be any size shape color and texture. A paring knife is all that's necessary to carve it.
Only major problem is the bouyancy. Real materials can be added to overcome that problem such as siliconing it to real rocks driftwood what have you. It will stick to glass but in deeper tanks tends to let go over time.
gary
I have read about the expanding foam. I didn't realize you could get it any different color or texture. Also, the chemicals scare me a little with the fish. I wonder if anyone has real experience with this stuff inside tanks?
If I were to try it, I might try to anchor using eggcrate under substrate weighted with a few rocks. I would remove all my substrate. Then attached the foam to the eggcrate with plastic ties. I bet you could carve out and hide the ties. Not sure exactly how bouyant this stuff is but hopefully it wouldn't tear away at the ties.
If I were to try it, I might try to anchor using eggcrate under substrate weighted with a few rocks. I would remove all my substrate. Then attached the foam to the eggcrate with plastic ties. I bet you could carve out and hide the ties. Not sure exactly how bouyant this stuff is but hopefully it wouldn't tear away at the ties.
There's an interesting DIY site using expanding foam; http://www.vivariumbackground.com
Have a look in their step-by-step tutorials for ideas. The site is about making whole backgrounds (including fake tree roots, riverbank caves etc) but I've seen some DIY threads around where people use the same techniques to make things on a smaller scale. The colouration and texture seems to come from adding pigments, sand, dirt, small rocks etc. over the top of the foam with resin and/or special cement. While I have never tried anything like this myself, I think the result looks amazing.
Have a look in their step-by-step tutorials for ideas. The site is about making whole backgrounds (including fake tree roots, riverbank caves etc) but I've seen some DIY threads around where people use the same techniques to make things on a smaller scale. The colouration and texture seems to come from adding pigments, sand, dirt, small rocks etc. over the top of the foam with resin and/or special cement. While I have never tried anything like this myself, I think the result looks amazing.
Hi
The limits to the X foam is only your artistic ability lol.. I use both above and below water even used it to make a 7x10 foot water fall.
for the Gh. I would suggest using the minimum expanding "Great stuff" at is far less pourous . Also if you want to attach natural materals
add them with silicone after curing. I just use acrylic latex paint for the color ,Find it holds up as well as two part epoxy for about a third the cost. You can get small amounts at craft stores in around 40/50 colors Would also suggest forming on a table top on wax paper,painting
and then adding the texture if desired. Then glue the pieces to a heavy rock this overcomes the bouyancy and also allows the pieces to be removed from the tank if necessary. I'm setting up a 125 probably for rifts but I want it viewable from both sides because it will be in the wall.
Going to use some 1 inch slabs of sandstone / quartz as the base.. Will also probably place these on eggcrate to allow for a "gravel purge"
system with oversize substrate. as well as an auto water changer.
You can buy a can for under 5 bucks , get one and experiment lol Be sure to wear dispoable gloves as the "stuff " is incredibly sticky until cured. good luck!!! gary
The limits to the X foam is only your artistic ability lol.. I use both above and below water even used it to make a 7x10 foot water fall.
for the Gh. I would suggest using the minimum expanding "Great stuff" at is far less pourous . Also if you want to attach natural materals
add them with silicone after curing. I just use acrylic latex paint for the color ,Find it holds up as well as two part epoxy for about a third the cost. You can get small amounts at craft stores in around 40/50 colors Would also suggest forming on a table top on wax paper,painting
and then adding the texture if desired. Then glue the pieces to a heavy rock this overcomes the bouyancy and also allows the pieces to be removed from the tank if necessary. I'm setting up a 125 probably for rifts but I want it viewable from both sides because it will be in the wall.
Going to use some 1 inch slabs of sandstone / quartz as the base.. Will also probably place these on eggcrate to allow for a "gravel purge"
system with oversize substrate. as well as an auto water changer.
You can buy a can for under 5 bucks , get one and experiment lol Be sure to wear dispoable gloves as the "stuff " is incredibly sticky until cured. good luck!!! gary
Hi
Well I HOPE so lol. Trying to incorporate everything I ever learned about fish keeping into a "PERFECT" setup
Since the tank will be between two rooms requires some careful planning for sure . Wife has NEVER allowd me to keep fish outside the fishroom before lol Good luck with your project whatever you decide!!! gary
Well I HOPE so lol. Trying to incorporate everything I ever learned about fish keeping into a "PERFECT" setup
Since the tank will be between two rooms requires some careful planning for sure . Wife has NEVER allowd me to keep fish outside the fishroom before lol Good luck with your project whatever you decide!!! gary
