Finally finished my stalactite, looks really cool.

Mudbeaver · 11/25/2013, 12:26 PM

It made of an eggcrate core, with rubble rocks tied with zip ties, around the eggcrate, foamed between the rocks tied to a nylon rod , sanded with epoxy resin and sand and voila.

I have no word to describe how cool ...just check it out

Mudbeaver · 11/25/2013, 12:26 PM

Lulu was guarding it ....

Mudbeaver · 11/25/2013, 12:27 PM

Its better to have a thick resin because the sand stick to it much better so a 5min one works best, so don't mess around get going with it.

While i did the foam i sprinkled some crush coral on it , but be carefull on the edges otherwise it'll fall over,that technique is better just on the top of the stalactite .

After the sanding even on top of the crush coral

Always start at the end

Mudbeaver · 11/25/2013, 12:28 PM

My first one same process

I can't wait for the fish to swim around that and the gorgonians and the likes.

:wavey:

Percher · 11/25/2013, 09:03 PM

That is freaking awesome!

Mudbeaver · 11/26/2013, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Percher

That is freaking awesome!

Thanks.

McPuff · 11/26/2013, 09:50 AM

That will look very nice. I'm looking forward to seeing the tank with some creatures swimming around in there!

BeanAnimal · 11/26/2013, 05:21 PM

I don't get it... but nice work from a technical standpoint

Mudbeaver · 11/26/2013, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeanAnimal

I don't get it... but nice work from a technical standpoint

If you ever dived you'll encounter caverns with suspended gorgonians and sponges and other corals that dont require much light or none at all. They sell it here sometimes but we can't put it in a normal tank with too much light, so this way i can under that structure. I also put a toad stool on the tip of the stalactite and make him grow straightening himself upright, looking like a sherlock holmes pipe very cool looking when he's about a couple of year old. Also to see fish swim around this structure is very unusuall because most people don't take the time to do this kind of structure, too rushed, too fast going for the quick rock piling, and then 6 months later foul their tank by moving the sand , rocks and disturbing the whole layers of bacterias and wondering why they have trouble. So i took my time and made this.

Their's also another benefit to having a shadowy area in the tank; the fish thinks they are in a cavern and protected while actually in plain sight and can be observe by us. Very funny to see them like that. Saw that in my old 65 G .

NanoReefWanabe · 11/26/2013, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeanAnimal

I don't get it... but nice work from a technical standpoint

hehe lol...i agree...i havent done an extensive amount of diving, but i havent seen too many corals growing on stalactites...they are usually hanging in open caves not under water....it certainly looks neat, had you put enough foam in it, it would have floated, then you could have used wires/fishing line etc to tie it in place...

DBLeite · 11/26/2013, 08:02 PM

What kind of foam did you use.
That looks cool

Mudbeaver · 11/26/2013, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBLeite

What kind of foam did you use.
That looks cool

This one . Use acetone to clean your hands and your spout if you want to re-use it later on dip the tip of the can also to clean the opening or it will clog.

You can also use ; Beckett's Handi Foam or Touch'n Foam The black foam is better more stable than the white or cream color ones. Its fish friendly also. its for ponds.

My videos are here on how to make the sculptures their's 7 videos all following each other.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZavioityVQ&list=PLk_Pw-jAYdFdfdxt3LnuihwIJUGqREF5K&index=19

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwE7byazB7E&list=PLk_Pw-jAYdFdfdxt3LnuihwIJUGqREF5K

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPlp0XVroUM&list=PLk_Pw-jAYdFdfdxt3LnuihwIJUGqREF5K

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLeAqLPwhOw&list=PLk_Pw-jAYdFdfdxt3LnuihwIJUGqREF5K

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2M6b0np_rtM&list=PLk_Pw-jAYdFdfdxt3LnuihwIJUGqREF5K

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io9E6rmhdx8&list=PLk_Pw-jAYdFdfdxt3LnuihwIJUGqREF5K

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-_peMIS-ow&list=PLk_Pw-jAYdFdfdxt3LnuihwIJUGqREF5K

DBLeite · 11/26/2013, 08:57 PM

thanks
I appreciate it

has no life · 11/26/2013, 09:27 PM

way cool

radiata · 11/26/2013, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mudbeaver

Their's also another benefit to having a shadowy area in the tank; the fish thinks they are in a cavern and protected while actually in plain sight and can be observe by us.

Bonjour Mudbeaver...

Kudos on a very interesting observation. I've included caves behind a false rock wall in my show tank, but never see what is going on in there.

'bien cordialement,
Bob

shifty51008 · 11/26/2013, 11:12 PM

Am i missing the poll somewhere? Lol just kidding

It looks nice, so i am guessing your going for a nps tank?

Mudbeaver · 11/27/2013, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shifty51008

Am i missing the poll somewhere? Lol just kidding

It looks nice, so i am guessing your going for a nps tank?

Well not all NPS the area is confine to the left side from the stalactite it receive no direct light from the fixture above it. Even the corner, so there will be the spot for it the rest of the tank will be normal. i'm doing a mixed tank. Some LPS, NPS, macro-Algae, Softies which are my favorite that why i had a custom wavebox made $20 instead of $600 , just had to buy the pump so i saved $400. So i'll have the nice swaying action of the softies in there. This starfire tank is custom made so i made sure it was going to accomodate the species i wanted. Its 21" hight only so i wouldn't to spend too much on strong lights, i'll only have a few SPS the easy ones. With C2C and 2 Tunze 6095 for flow at each end i think i'm good to go. I've kept the other end clean on purpose to have room to put Tridacna clams amongs other bottom dwellers so the branches can tower over them. The left branch will have GSP so to keep the shape of the branch and have movement in the wave the left one will be all me different zoos on it that will also fit like a glove on it. When i did my sculpture i was seing every corals i was going to put on them , i took my time and tha gave me time to think what and where i was going to put things. the other sculpture will have other corals but not too much i rather have big ones than numerous ones. i like space between them and fishroom the wall will have its design as well.

DBLeite · 11/27/2013, 02:34 PM

Does the foam hold up well long term?

Mudbeaver · 11/27/2013, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBLeite

Does the foam hold up well long term?

Its made to hold stone in exterior ponds for fish; resisting the sun's UV light and harsh cold winter for years. So i'd say yes.

You can follow the whole build up here; http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2327805

Apotack · 11/27/2013, 10:16 PM

Very cool

Mudbeaver · 11/28/2013, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apotack

Very cool

Thanks

james1990 · 12/01/2013, 07:28 PM

This is awesome

james1990 · 12/01/2013, 07:38 PM

Do you think the egg crate would wear out and break in time causing rock slides

Mudbeaver · 12/01/2013, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by james1990

Do you think the egg crate would wear out and break in time causing rock slides

No i'm not going to go into details why; go here this is my thread where i've explained how i've built all this and you'll see why not. Their also 7 videos on it.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2327805

rfgonzo · 12/01/2013, 10:43 PM

Good concept and I can somewhat understand what your going for but it does not look natural where all the rocks attach to one another. With all the time and effort you put in I would try and blend in the rocks more so it all looks like 1 rock. You have to many flat pieces attached to flat pieces. This is how I look at it, if you can look at your rock work and count all the diffrent rocks 1 by 1 it's not a natural flow of rock, Now if it's all blended in together and you can't decipher where one rock starts and ends you have now made a great looking aquascape. Not trying to bust your balls just tring to help since you worked so hard on this project.

11/25/2013, 12:26 PM	#1
Mudbeaver Registered Member. Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Gatineau , Canada Posts: 1,379	Finally finished my stalactite, looks really cool. It made of an eggcrate core, with rubble rocks tied with zip ties, around the eggcrate, foamed between the rocks tied to a nylon rod , sanded with epoxy resin and sand and voila. I have no word to describe how cool ...just check it out

11/25/2013, 12:26 PM	#2
Mudbeaver Registered Member. Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Gatineau , Canada Posts: 1,379	Finally finished the Stalactite and its really cool looking Lulu was guarding it ....

11/25/2013, 12:27 PM	#3
Mudbeaver Registered Member. Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Gatineau , Canada Posts: 1,379	Finally finished the Stalactite and its really cool looking Its better to have a thick resin because the sand stick to it much better so a 5min one works best, so don't mess around get going with it. While i did the foam i sprinkled some crush coral on it , but be carefull on the edges otherwise it'll fall over,that technique is better just on the top of the stalactite . After the sanding even on top of the crush coral Always start at the end

11/25/2013, 12:28 PM	#4
Mudbeaver Registered Member. Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Gatineau , Canada Posts: 1,379	Finally finished the Stalactite and its really cool looking My first one same process I can't wait for the fish to swim around that and the gorgonians and the likes. :wavey:

11/26/2013, 09:27 PM	#14
has no life Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: cape coral fl Posts: 23	way cool __________________ member SWFMAS member Caloosa Jeepers swfl no tank at this time

11/25/2013, 09:03 PM	#5
Percher Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Costa Mesa, Ca Posts: 95	That is freaking awesome!

11/26/2013, 09:50 AM	#7
McPuff Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,735	That will look very nice. I'm looking forward to seeing the tank with some creatures swimming around in there!

11/26/2013, 05:21 PM	#8
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,772	I don't get it... but nice work from a technical standpoint

11/26/2013, 08:02 PM	#11
DBLeite Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 50	What kind of foam did you use. That looks cool

11/26/2013, 08:57 PM	#13
DBLeite Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 50	thanks I appreciate it

11/26/2013, 11:12 PM	#16
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	Am i missing the poll somewhere? Lol just kidding It looks nice, so i am guessing your going for a nps tank? __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

11/27/2013, 02:34 PM	#18
DBLeite Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 50	Does the foam hold up well long term?

11/27/2013, 10:16 PM	#20
Apotack Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: New York Posts: 297	Very cool __________________ Adam Current Tank Info: 125gal

12/01/2013, 07:28 PM	#22
james1990 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 235	This is awesome

12/01/2013, 07:38 PM	#23
james1990 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 235	Do you think the egg crate would wear out and break in time causing rock slides

12/01/2013, 10:43 PM	#25
rfgonzo Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,280	Good concept and I can somewhat understand what your going for but it does not look natural where all the rocks attach to one another. With all the time and effort you put in I would try and blend in the rocks more so it all looks like 1 rock. You have to many flat pieces attached to flat pieces. This is how I look at it, if you can look at your rock work and count all the diffrent rocks 1 by 1 it's not a natural flow of rock, Now if it's all blended in together and you can't decipher where one rock starts and ends you have now made a great looking aquascape. Not trying to bust your balls just tring to help since you worked so hard on this project.