Rock-Sculpture Wall Beneath Skinny, Coast-to-Coast Overflow-Box?

[SkyReef]

I read accounts by others who have built a rock-sculpture wall on the inside, back wall of their aquariums. They used a special, synthetic product that looks like a reef wall, for such purposes. That got me thinking about the space beneath the coast-to-coast overflow-box, along the inside, back wall of my aquarium. My internal, coast-to-coast overflow-box is skinny, from front to back, and the depth of a typical rock-sculpture wall, front to back, would probably be about the same as that of the overflow-box. It seems that a rock-sculpture wall would fit perfectly inside my tank, along the back wall, beneath the overflow-box. It might look quite intriguing in my bare-bottom aquarium.

What do you all think? What are the pros and cons? Anyone happy with their rock-sculpture? What materials are you using for the wall of rock? How deep, front to back, is the rock-sculpture wall? Can you share pictures of your rock walls in the making and after installed?

Thanks!

[SkyReef]

Okay, I have been doing some digging:

Here is a foam-rock sculpture-wall done by CustomColor, published at http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=15426373&postcount=315. CustomColor creates a cave-like entrance at the center, and he foam-rocked over the PVC pipes, hiding them well. Very cool.

Note the Beginning and After Photos. Very impressive.

1. BEGINNING PHOTO: Looks highly artificial.

http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/ac35/SkyReef/CustomColorsReefWall00_zps7a942ca7.jpg
(Photo Courtesy of CustomColor)


2. PHOTO TAKEN AFTER 2 YEARS: Looks very natural (is that coralline algae having grown over the foam-rock?) and blends in with the live rock and coral. Time has been good to that foam-rock wall!

http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/ac35/SkyReef/ReefWall01_zpsc94dba44.jpg
(Photo Courtesy of CustomColor)


This gives me some hope for the idea.

[SkyReef]

I'm sensing that there is not much appetite out there for rock-wall sculptures. Is it because most people simply prefer to create their aquascape from the ground up, not the wall out? Perhaps people like the black or blue background instead? Interesting what people's preferences are. However, I might be missing something here--something basic that makes the rock-wall sculptures undesirable or problematic. What do you all think? Thanks.

[sp0k]

here is my in the making......

http://www5.picturepush.com/photo/a/12703613/640/12703613.jpg

[SkyReef]

here is my in the making......

http://www5.picturepush.com/photo/a/12703613/640/12703613.jpg

Very cool, Sp0k! What materials are you using? I note that the side wall is the wall where the rock-sculpture is affixed to. Is the back side open for viewing, as well? You also have other, free-standing forms, which look like they are covering drain lines and return lines--is that the same material? Do you have experience with rock-sculpture walls? Do you like them? It looks like it's going to be awesome.

[ThreeMoneyJ]

Google 3D aquarium background. There are a few companies that make them and they come in different sizes and thicknesses. I recently picked one up to be the bottom of my 120 I'm building as opposed to a sand bed. It needs to be glued in place or it will float away, but that's no more work than making your own.

[sp0k]

Very cool, Sp0k! What materials are you using? I note that the side wall is the wall where the rock-sculpture is affixed to. Is the back side open for viewing, as well? You also have other, free-standing forms, which look like they are covering drain lines and return lines--is that the same material? Do you have experience with rock-sculpture walls? Do you like them? It looks like it's going to be awesome.

here is an old build i did when i started it

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1922231&highlight=my+rock+wall

[MrIcky]

I'm sensing that there is not much appetite out there for rock-wall sculptures. Is it because most people simply prefer to create their aquascape from the ground up, not the wall out? Perhaps people like the black or blue background instead? Interesting what people's preferences are. However, I might be missing something here--something basic that makes the rock-wall sculptures undesirable or problematic. What do you all think? Thanks.

I believe you are mistaken :)

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1438807&highlight=foam+rock+wall

I do not have a rockwall, but I am using the pond foam and it's held up well for 2.5 years. You've got to use pond foam and not insulation foam though. Also, I have seen a few walls made by siliconing marco rocks "prime cuts" to the back glass and those look good as well. Another person who is in that thread used gorilla glue and is reporting success as well.

[SkyReef]

Google 3D aquarium background. There are a few companies that make them and they come in different sizes and thicknesses. I recently picked one up to be the bottom of my 120 I'm building as opposed to a sand bed. It needs to be glued in place or it will float away, but that's no more work than making your own.

Thanks, Three Money. I'll check it out!

here is an old build i did when i started it

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1922231&highlight=my+rock+wall

I'll take a look, thanks for the link, Sp0k!

I believe you are mistaken :)

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1438807&highlight=foam+rock+wall

I do not have a rockwall, but I am using the pond foam and it's held up well for 2.5 years. You've got to use pond foam and not insulation foam though. Also, I have seen a few walls made by siliconing marco rocks "prime cuts" to the back glass and those look good as well. Another person who is in that thread used gorilla glue and is reporting success as well.

Very cool, MrIcky. I'll definitely read up on it and consider the possibilities of pond foam, and "marco rocks". Gorilla glue is very powerful stuff, so that sounds right! Thanks.