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View Full Version : lets see some cool rock pillars and rock work


jquailus
08/30/2007, 05:54 PM
im planning on building a tree like structure to glue lr and base rock too, has anyone else done this and what glue would i use to secure things to the pvc, if anyone has any pics of cool rock work or pillars of lr lets see em

laserjim
08/30/2007, 07:23 PM
A pillar on the left and one on the right.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t112/laserjimm/tank715.07.jpg

Uncle Boo
08/30/2007, 08:37 PM
This picture is a few months old but you'll get the idea. The pillar on the left is freestanding. I used zip ties to hold the rock to a pvc pipe with a U shaped base.

This is before the sand.

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r15/Savure/Fish/DSCF0263.jpg

And this is after it was up for a month.


http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r15/Savure/Fish/DSCF0415.jpg

jsr
08/30/2007, 08:46 PM
How do you secure the rocksso they dont fall? That looks very nice!

chatyak
08/30/2007, 09:16 PM
That's cool... can you show us how you put the rocks around the PVC pipe? That's what I want to do with mine.... I understand the base... could use a T or whatever... but I don't understand how the rocks stay around it.... I suppose you could expoxy the rocks and leave a hole in the middle.

Also... did you glue your pvc stand (pieces) and is PVC cement toxic if in the water?

Salamander
08/30/2007, 09:31 PM
Try a long masonry drill bit and acrylic rods. I've seen nice pillars made that way. Just be gentle drilling the rock which can fracture easily.

laserjim
08/31/2007, 04:58 AM
CPVC, used a 12 inch masony bit.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t112/laserjimm/002.jpg

Chibils
08/31/2007, 05:34 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10671257#post10671257 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by laserjim
A pillar on the left and one on the right.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t112/laserjimm/tank715.07.jpg Not to OT the thread or anything, but what kind of wrasse is that?

Avi
08/31/2007, 07:07 AM
Exquisite (Fairy) Wrasse
Cirrhilabrus exquisitus

seapug
08/31/2007, 10:43 AM
Nice job, Laserjim. Looks great!

payyourtoll
08/31/2007, 11:05 AM
jim, looks sweet!

papagimp
08/31/2007, 11:45 AM
Here ya go, used 1/2" pvc, at the bottom of the pillar (unfishished by the way) it splits off into 4 outlets as part of the return manifold. worked out nicely and am very happy with the results. Still need to tack everything together with some epoxy though.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/4651/1238211103850457_56f2f5588d_m.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/4651/123821plumbing6.jpg
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/4651/123821plumbing8.jpg

Michelle L
08/31/2007, 11:47 AM
And old pic of my tank...I've changed the lighting a little but the rockwork hasn't changed. It's built using zip ties and PVC pipe structures.

The pic looks washed out but I had to brighten it so that the cave and overhang were more visible in the photo.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b55/mspontiac/tank12-30-06-1.jpg

Uncle Boo
08/31/2007, 08:44 PM
What I did was use a large rock for the base and sat it on the U part of the 3/4" pvc pipe so it would be stable. The middle rocks just surround the pipe and are zip tied to it so it looks like one rock. The top is Tonga plate rock and it already had a hole in it big enough to slip over the pipe. I put it all together outside the tank (it's base rock and was dry). It took a few tries to get it to look good and still be able to dismantle it and reassemble in the tank.

My only probelm now is finding something that will grow on top of it. I thought it would be a great spot for zoos but I think it's a bit too bright. The ones I have lower in my tank look great but the ones up top haven't grown at all.

normanfine
08/31/2007, 10:51 PM
Great ideas and nice pics :D

tygger
09/01/2007, 01:39 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10675608#post10675608 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Michelle L
And old pic of my tank...I've changed the lighting a little but the rockwork hasn't changed. It's built using zip ties and PVC pipe structures.

The pic looks washed out but I had to brighten it so that the cave and overhang were more visible in the photo.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b55/mspontiac/tank12-30-06-1.jpg

Very nice. You got any more pics??? :)

dez_2121
09/01/2007, 07:43 PM
is it possible to have to much rock

draleigh
09/01/2007, 07:48 PM
everytime i look at the pillars i feel like making new DIY Rock and redoing my aquascape. AHHH the "NEXT" tank will have the pillars :)

Michelle L
09/02/2007, 09:24 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10680216#post10680216 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tygger
Very nice. You got any more pics??? :)

Thanks! I don't have any more pics at the moment, but I see if I can take some updated ones tomorrow.

Jeeperpunk511
09/02/2007, 10:30 PM
You all are very creative. Nice work. I've been inspired. Think that I might incorporate a rock pillar in my tank.

Thinslis
09/03/2007, 07:05 AM
How exactly do you Zip tie the rocks to the pipe? Like Jeeper, this thread is making me rethink my standard rock wall and doing a pillar and a partial wall or something.

addicted2
09/03/2007, 10:06 AM
:hi:
here's my rock work..I just stacked it tho.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k106/addicted2_2006/fish001.jpg

Benny Z
09/11/2007, 03:28 PM
http://www.bnarc.com/culvers/new/fulltank.jpg

gary faulkner
09/11/2007, 05:08 PM
Benny Z

WOW, do the towers actually go above the waterline?

How do you hold it all together?

JoeMomma
09/11/2007, 06:05 PM
Wow that looks amazing Benny. I want to know as well!

hmello@bermexin
09/11/2007, 07:17 PM
come on benny share your secret.

Benny Z
09/11/2007, 08:16 PM
sorry! this is not my tank. it is the tank i get to help maintain. the tank footprint is 11x5 and these rock columns are huge. there is over 1500 lbs of rock in the tank. the pieces were cemented together using a thorite-like fast-setting cement. each of the three pillars hides a large tube, two large overflows (center and far right) and a wavemaking column (closest left). here is a picture of the tank with the bare columns:

http://www.bnarc.com/culvers/tankonfloor.jpg

at some point the owner of the tank will be posting a thread about the tank. it is a fairly new display.

Benny Z
09/11/2007, 08:19 PM
one more teaser and that's it. ;)

http://www.bnarc.com/culvers/new/middletower.jpg

cdentii1
09/11/2007, 08:48 PM
Thats SWEET.............

T Man
09/11/2007, 08:59 PM
My young pillar hex..............


http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/113880HEX_ONE.JPG

balmiesgirl
09/11/2007, 09:31 PM
I stole the idea for my tree like rock from marco rocks home page. He makes his with acrylic rods....
I did mine with 1/2 pvc and a drill bit.... I'll find a picture of mine and post it asap.... but check out this if you want to: http://www.marcorocks.com

akopley
09/12/2007, 12:43 AM
benny z you would have to put on a snorkel to place corals in that tank.

JoeMomma
09/12/2007, 06:21 AM
I would totally love to set up a couple of those large pillars in my 4x2. Although they wouldn't be *** fat as benny's... And probably not and phat as his either!

Benny Z
09/12/2007, 06:26 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10748661#post10748661 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by akopley
benny z you would have to put on a snorkel to place corals in that tank.

actually, we do have a mask and snorkel for the tank, but it's still in the package. haven't yet had to use it - been able to place everything so far with extended grabber tools. you can't reach the sand with your bare hand without getting your head wet, though. :) i dropped something on the sand before we had the grabber tools and ended up with a wet head. :lol:

cdentii1
09/13/2007, 09:55 AM
Keep em coming

balmiesgirl
09/13/2007, 10:48 AM
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/145070P9120406.JPG

rlee81indy
09/13/2007, 10:51 AM
my 29g re-setup...

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q86/rlee81indy/tank007.jpg

balmiesgirl
09/13/2007, 10:51 AM
That's my "tree" like structure. (Up 1 post!)

luntiz
09/04/2008, 09:34 AM
OMG I think I just "O"d.



<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10744893#post10744893 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Benny Z
http://www.bnarc.com/culvers/new/fulltank.jpg

fender4string
09/04/2008, 09:39 AM
Wow benny that is extremely cool looking! Even though it's not yours-awesome pic

T Man
09/04/2008, 04:34 PM
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/1/113880reef2nite.JPG

magellan007
09/04/2008, 09:01 PM
niice... got any more shots of that rockwork, T Man?

T Man
09/04/2008, 09:22 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13293165#post13293165 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by magellan007
niice... got any more shots of that rockwork, T Man?

Thanks 007 !! This is the front side before the canyon....a tunnel. Click on my red house. T


http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/113880center.JPG

awholelota
09/05/2008, 08:33 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10744893#post10744893 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Benny Z
http://www.bnarc.com/culvers/new/fulltank.jpg

i've always wanted to do something like that but was worried abotu the rocks being out of the water. is there any issue with that?

Jay180reef
09/05/2008, 09:07 AM
Wow, thanks for the ideas guys! Very impressive pillars, caves and canyons!:D

luntiz
09/05/2008, 09:18 AM
I find that even with some of my rocks sticking out of the water, they somehow remain moist, so I think it should be fine. Its been fine for me for the past 2 months.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13295237#post13295237 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by awholelota
i've always wanted to do something like that but was worried abotu the rocks being out of the water. is there any issue with that?

Saltz Creep
09/05/2008, 09:23 AM
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v45/Cannonball888/henge.jpg:D

gws76
09/05/2008, 09:49 AM
Here's my pillars.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg276/gws1976/100_1220.jpg

This pic is from when I had a little cyano on the sand. Yuck. Found out my wavemaker was obliterating food and contaminating the water column. Now I shut the wavemaker off when feeding. Duh!
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg276/gws1976/100_1245.jpg

Pillars were made using 1/2 inch pvc pipe. Drilled the rock out with a 1 inch hole saw, the kind used for drilling holes in doors.

mindytoy
09/05/2008, 10:19 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10744893#post10744893 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Benny Z
http://www.bnarc.com/culvers/new/fulltank.jpg

holy jesus, lord almighty:eek1:

how many gallons? more pics!

mindytoy
09/05/2008, 10:22 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10747536#post10747536 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by T Man
My young pillar hex..............


http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/113880HEX_ONE.JPG

lol, thats funny, a huge fuge..is it bigger than the DT?

id suggest covering it or something i didn even realize there was a DT just a huge fuge! takes away too much visual...

Stuart60611
09/05/2008, 11:08 AM
Mine (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1465245).

J.russell
09/05/2008, 11:47 AM
About 3/4 of the way done. Still trying to find a few more pieces of rock :)

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f196/jasonsrussell/Fish%20tank%20build/Fish-Tank-054.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f196/jasonsrussell/Fish%20tank%20build/Fish-Tank-052.jpg

rhiggsbear
09/05/2008, 05:39 PM
J.russell,

What are you using for a base. I understand using the PVC pipe but what do you connect the acrylic rod to (or is the bottom rock the base)?

J.russell
09/05/2008, 06:05 PM
I have it glued into a 1/2" flat piece of acrylic. About 10"x14" burried under about 4" of sand then the bottom rock for supporting the rest of the rock work.

lockekeyy
09/05/2008, 07:27 PM
wow, lots of cool ideas... makes me wanna drill into my rock work

Tswifty
09/05/2008, 07:47 PM
My 90... Just stacked.

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll128/tswifty8/FTS1.jpg

sassafrass
09/05/2008, 09:31 PM
http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn292/sassafrass8/Picture195-1-1-1.jpgHere is my 150 FTS

rhiggsbear
09/05/2008, 10:26 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13298760#post13298760 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lockekeyy
wow, lots of cool ideas... makes me wanna drill into my rock work

You & me both.:D

Raibaru
09/05/2008, 10:40 PM
I am not at all affiliated with this guys tank.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1288059&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

Just follow the link and have something to clean up the mess.

bertmauricio
09/05/2008, 11:49 PM
My tank up and running 3 weeks now. 3 towers using acrylic rod glued into 1/2" base.


http://img374.imageshack.us/img374/3516/img3360os3.jpg

dez_2121
09/28/2008, 09:47 PM
bump

tmcgaughey
09/28/2008, 10:55 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10671257#post10671257 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by laserjim
A pillar on the left and one on the right.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t112/laserjimm/tank715.07.jpg


How many lbs of LR do you have in there? Nice looking tank!

LUVSPS
09/28/2008, 11:32 PM
This is my 120g. Can't wait to put water in it!

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb3/Mothersweets/IMG_8601.jpg

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb3/Mothersweets/IMG_8600.jpg

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb3/Mothersweets/IMG_8598.jpg

LUVSPS
09/28/2008, 11:32 PM
This is my 120g. Can't wait to put water in it!

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb3/Mothersweets/IMG_8601.jpg

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb3/Mothersweets/IMG_8600.jpg

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb3/Mothersweets/IMG_8598.jpg

LUVSPS
09/28/2008, 11:33 PM
whoops! double post

Johnny C
09/28/2008, 11:48 PM
WOW Jim, your tank looks absolutly amazing! :)

...now I KNOW what i want my tank to look like!