Post by sp1187 on Jul 9, 2018 9:06:23 GMT -5
Greetings.
When I decided to get back into the hobby, I started looking hard at aquascapes. I didn't want to use live rock.
And my end goal was to make a realistic scape while hiding everything that wasn't apart of the reef. (pumps, heaters, chords, returns, etc.)
The scape was created using different ID pvc tube, multiple pvc T's and Crosses, different degree elbows, reducers and flanges.
I started out by taping off my work table to the inside dimensions of the tank. Then it was just a matter of starting to assemble the structures.
It took me over a month to arrive at my final design.
MATERIALS
Inner Structure:
Material: schedule 40 pvc tube and fittings
Source: Lowes, Home Depot, Local Hardware Store
Outer Structure:
Material: Free Form Habitat Black Two part Putty
Source: Reynolds Advanced Materials
www.reynoldsam.com/product/free-form-habitat/
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKX8ivvVGjo&t=39s
Coral Imprint:
Material: Rebound 25
Source: Reynolds Advanced Materials
www.reynoldsam.com/product/rebound-series/
FABRICATION TIPS:
Measure, Measure, Measure!!! I screwed up my first measurement.. the tape on my work surface. Ended up having to cut off a big piece of the pvc structure and redoing it.
When you have what you believe to be your final design mark the connection points, in two places, between
your fittings and tubing so you can realign it when you cement it together.
Wait to cement any extended arms until after you have put the Habitat Black on them. You can dry attach them and make rotation adjustments to
change shadowing and adjust overall appearance to your liking.
Drill/cut openings into the pvc for inverts and shrimp to wander through.
Drill 3/8" to 1/2" holes at the high spots of the pvc for air to escape when you add water to your tank.
Make sure to plan clearance between your scape and the glass. Consider glass cleaning and coral placement/grow out.
The Habitat Black is a 2 part putty and a folding powder that thickens and takes the stickiness out of it.
You don't have to go real thick for coverage. 1/8" to 1/4" is sufficient.
When making a shelf off the pvc, do it in multiple steps. The putty will sag under it's own weight, so you have to do a short over hang, let it dry, and then add the next segment.
make sure you use the putty to cover the inside off the pvc where you have cut openings, unless you don't mind seeing the white inside of the tube.
Imprint your coral patterns before it sets.
Keep a bucket of water handy and a sponge. If you don't like something you've done you can dampen it before it sets and rework it.
Keep the stamp wet so the putty doesn't attach to it.
the stamp
I ended up not using this piece.
The tank is a 150 Tall (48x24x30)
Right side of scape is 29" high. Behind it is a 1"return at the top, a Maxspect Gyre 230 mounted vertical, and a Jaeger 300W Heater.
Left side has a Maxspect Gyre 230 mounted vertical and the Reef Savvy Ghost 21 Overflow box (which will be hidden when I get the trim up.
Regards,
Mike