So I was thinking about how to have the perfects rocks for a FW discus w/ driftwood setup for a tall 250G tank. Some of these will have to be of significant size to match the tank.
I was thinking they could be hand made.....in theory. Anyone ever tried this? Below would be my proposed technique to pull it off.
1) Concrete mixture (fine grain, high viscosity), peat moss(for natural discoloration and effect), sand at varying levels with water all mixed together as the base mixture.
2) Concrete dyes to create whatever colour you would want mixed in with the base. I am no expert on colour formulation but mixing easy to get colours to achieve various shades would be fairly simple.
This would be how to create the mixture to create a home made rock. Below would be the method for making it realistic.
1) Create a wood box out of plywood but create the box with two equal halves that are separate rather than a real box.
2) Into each half inject a foam, like a slow drying insulation foam.
3) With the foam still wet, take a large piece of tinfoil and shape to desired rock outline in each half. Make sure extra tinfoil is hanging over the edges...about 2 inches maybe. Extra pushing and pulling on the foil with 1 finger should create some natural looking weathering by crinkling the foil.
4) Place the two halves with the foam and foil in place and attach them using whatever fastening method is easiest for you. Pocket holes maybe, clamping and drilling, nylon tie wraps would all probably work. Make sure the foil is hanging out the seams of the boxes.
5) Drill a hole into the top, the bigger the easier the next step.
6) Pour mixture into top with desired colour dye in there. Might be interesting to add secondary colour and cover fill hole and shake a bit for some striations.
7) Let harden for 24 hours then open mold box.
8). Let harden for additional week or so at room temp.
9) Soak for a week or 2 with frequently changed water.
10) Install into tank.
Not sure how good a result this will achieve and is a bit of work. Anyone have any experience and/or thoughts?
I was thinking they could be hand made.....in theory. Anyone ever tried this? Below would be my proposed technique to pull it off.
1) Concrete mixture (fine grain, high viscosity), peat moss(for natural discoloration and effect), sand at varying levels with water all mixed together as the base mixture.
2) Concrete dyes to create whatever colour you would want mixed in with the base. I am no expert on colour formulation but mixing easy to get colours to achieve various shades would be fairly simple.
This would be how to create the mixture to create a home made rock. Below would be the method for making it realistic.
1) Create a wood box out of plywood but create the box with two equal halves that are separate rather than a real box.
2) Into each half inject a foam, like a slow drying insulation foam.
3) With the foam still wet, take a large piece of tinfoil and shape to desired rock outline in each half. Make sure extra tinfoil is hanging over the edges...about 2 inches maybe. Extra pushing and pulling on the foil with 1 finger should create some natural looking weathering by crinkling the foil.
4) Place the two halves with the foam and foil in place and attach them using whatever fastening method is easiest for you. Pocket holes maybe, clamping and drilling, nylon tie wraps would all probably work. Make sure the foil is hanging out the seams of the boxes.
5) Drill a hole into the top, the bigger the easier the next step.
6) Pour mixture into top with desired colour dye in there. Might be interesting to add secondary colour and cover fill hole and shake a bit for some striations.
7) Let harden for 24 hours then open mold box.
8). Let harden for additional week or so at room temp.
9) Soak for a week or 2 with frequently changed water.
10) Install into tank.
Not sure how good a result this will achieve and is a bit of work. Anyone have any experience and/or thoughts?
