DIY "Grotto" Background

[EASDreaming]

So I started to do a DIY Groto type background today for my mbuna tank. (the one made with gutters)

I want to have water move around in the caves, so I was thinking maybe I could put some mesh in strategic places throughout the horizontal junctions of the gutters and on the bottom have a large bubbler and this spray bar type contraption I made to push a current through all the caves and keep anything from settling.

Would using mesh even be worth it, or should I just put multiple small holes in all the layers??

Any input is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Vicki Manly]

do u have a picture of grotto style? cant picture it!

 

[COG Commando]

He's talking about doing a "grotto" setup like this

Instead, I think you should do THIS grotto setup...

I think plastic mesh would work, but you'd have to have the background set forward a few inches so you could get the mesh and a pump in place behind the background (if that makes any sense).

 

[00rollins]

That tank in the pic is sick

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[duanes]

Marcus, that tank is fabulous.

 

[Steve Manly]

Instead, I think you should do THIS grotto setup...

I think plastic mesh would work, but you'd have to have the background set forward a few inches so you could get the mesh and a pump in place behind the background (if that makes any sense).

so do i!!

 

[ojest]

Wow, that would be something great to see everyday. Goodluck @EASDreaming

 

[EASDreaming]

He's talking about doing a "grotto" setup like this

Instead, I think you should do THIS grotto setup...

I think plastic mesh would work, but you'd have to have the background set forward a few inches so you could get the mesh and a pump in place behind the background (if that makes any sense).

If I could make a tank like that, I would.

I was going to go with the ghetto grotto because it looks a lot less time consuming than a Styrofoam and cement one. But after today, I may just end up doing the more time consuming one cause the gutters looked like crap so I scrapped em.

Got any tutorial(s) on that beauty??

 

[COG Commando]

Got any tutorial(s) on that beauty??

It isn't my tank, so I don't really have a specific idea on how it was put together. However, if you're familiar with making concrete or drylok covered foam backgrounds then the application of that knowledge to this idea should be fairly simple. It would just be a matter of building a structure that you enjoy. I believe much of the "rockwork" involved with this aquarium is actually on the outside of the tank to limit the amount of water volume taken up but still give the effect of a Malawian shore grotto.


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[Mount_Prion]

Yeah, that tank is painfully gorgeous. It's rare to see anything that nice even in a pro aquarium.