Aquascape with PVC

[drperetz]

What should I use..?

Hey every 1...
Got a question for some 1 who used pvc pipes to aqua scape.

I am devoting some major time to "fixing" my tank up by modifying it from 48 gallon to 45 gallon... How would I do that... hm? Well some of u know my tank is too high and I am in need to raise the bottom.
Now, my imagination is taking me to a weard vision... In it, I see that I will build shelves or placment support out of pvc elbows and pipes and will place live rock(s) on it to reduce the use of more live rock and of course raise the rock higher to the light sourse for purpose of keeping hard to keep corals.....(sps?! I know that my phos. gotz to be very low and I need a better skimmer but will try with a curent 1 and phos ban reactor is comming in the mail).

My question is:
Have any done this before and if u have were u successful? Also please sugest. I am open minded so fire away....
Thanx

 

[Tonyscoots84]

seek out pedros tank thread ....

 

[drperetz]

..

thanx tony

 

[drperetz]

I made this thread in "REEF For BEGINNERS"
But feel like no 1 who tried this method saw my thread so here is the link.....CLICK ON THE FACES
:groupflip

 

[Deanos]

Threads merged.

 

[MightyMike]

I know Paul (Kimoyo) has some experience here. I also saw pics of his work on an RC thread, which I can't seem to link, but I'm sure he can. Meanwhile, I think he mentioned difficulty getting flow in and around these PVC strcutures, literally inside the PVC piping, which would create dead spots.

 

[MightyMike]

Here it is, kinda long, but interesting.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=588249&perpage=25&pagenumber=2

 

[Paul B]

I don't know if this counts because I don't lift my rock with PVC, I build my rock out of it. Here is a picture of one of the 3' long rocks. It is behind the moorish Idol. The other picture is it under construction and the finished piece. Many of my rocks are built this way. They are made of PVC coated with cement and they are hollow to allow for anerobic bacteria.
Paul :scratchch

 

[WaterPlant]

I don't know if this counts because I don't lift my rock with PVC, I build my rock out of it. Here is a picture of one of the 3' long rocks. It is behind the moorish Idol. The other picture is it under construction and the finished piece. Many of my rocks are built this way. They are made of PVC coated with cement and they are hollow to allow for anerobic bacteria.
Paul :scratchch

is cement kind of acidic? do you have to wait for a long time before you can put back in the tank?

 

[Paul B]

You do have to soak it for a couple of weeks. There is very little cement in these "rocks" so it does not take too long. About a quarter of my rock is built this way, I can collect real rock but I like mine better.

 

[Psycho graphic]

is cement kind of acidic? do you have to wait for a long time before you can put back in the tank?

Just the opposite! Depending on how you cure it, it can take well over a month for it to cure. It also depends on how much you put in the tank as opposed to the volume of water.