diy rock

[tylerdj]

I am new to tanks larger than 12g I just took down an old tank ,34g, i am thinking of biulding my own rock with a budget of $100-$200. All comments will be appreciated.

[VisionsSS]

Well with a rock budget like that I would consider just buying live rock. You can glue the rock together to create your aquascapping.

I would pull a search for "DIY Rocks" or "aquascaping" you will find SOO many different ideas.

One of the most common is using "great stuff" expanding foam and adding in pieces of dry rock or sand for a more natural look.

Do you have an idea of what your would like to build? There are many options: Rock wall, island, pillars, bridge, tunnels, etc. We can better direct you if you give us some idea what you would like to create.

[philagothos]

Try this thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=12618584#post12618584

[xJake]

Make sure you thoroughly read the "Ultimate DIY Rock" thread posted above. It takes awhile to cure but the rock really does look pretty good. I made a 32-gallon trash can worth (almost 200 lbs) for less than $30. The salt method (posted in the thread) is really a great trick for making the rock porous and so far my results are very good. If you have the 2 months time it takes to cure then I couldn't see a reason why you wouldn't want to use DIY rock, but if you're in a hurry just use live rock or base rock.

[tylerdj]

I am going to make a rock wall on the back with a center piece that is one cave expanding into a couple other and on each side a rock pillar scaling to the top. Also my rock wall will reach the surface. sorry if thats too complicated.

[tylerdj]

When you say island do you meen that you see the rock at the surface, like a real island or do you meen an island of rock in the water.

[VisionsSS]

Island of rock in the water, like a mountain underwater.

Are you doing this rock for your 34gallon?

[tylerdj]

I don't think so my tank will not have an underwater island of rock but it will have everything else i said.

[VisionsSS]

Your aquascape sounds doable. If this is for your 34 gallon I think your easiest option would be some eggcrate for you back wall, pvc for your caves and using the spray foam method for covering everything and securing together.

[tylerdj]

Thankyou