LR Racks for the 400 gallon

[graphixx]

Well this is what I have been talking about. I wanted to build racks to set the LR on in the new tank. I have been researching this for a while and have found this to have a lot of benefits. it gives more freedom for aquascaping you get more vertical with less rock. It gives good hiding for the fish as well. And the PVC will act as a nursery for pods and anotherthing to be quite important also is cryptic sponges which I have found out are very very good filters in tanks.
I used 3/4" PVC for the racks. And expansion foam to go over the PVC when put together, the foam will expand and give texture to the rack. And the epoxy is to go over the foam once its cured, this will keep the foam from breaking down and also when the resin is drying (which only takes 5 minutes) you put sand on it so the sand adheres in the resin and gives a more natural look.
Over time when the tank matures the pvc will take on coraline algae and other natual growth and before too long you will not be able to tell the pvc from the LR.

[jojo22]

LOOKIN SWEET!!!! BTW Greg is that YOUR lifestyle magazine on the endtable there...LOL.

[graphixx]

Nooo that is the wifes, whenever I go to lowes or home depot to spend money she get to get her GOSSIP magazines so she can keep up with who is doing who and who is getting divorced and what not!!!!

[jojo22]

OK I didn't take you for the girly kind of man but hey ya never know.

[RHAPALA]

hey i like this idea was thinking of doing somthing like that myself no i lnow its for yer 400 gal .........but what i was wondering is how much rock goes on it? 1 large rock is there gonna be a grating and shelf to this stand? where as ya put more rock on it and just so i understand right you spray the foam on then is that a spray epoxy? that you put over top of it also is the foam 100% dried (cured)? befor the epoxy?

[Whoyah]

Looking good Greg. That should work great. Another option would be the black pond foam in place of the yellow foam/epoxy.

[graphixx]

Rhapala, the rack should be pretty stable, I set a bucket of salt on it and it help it no problem. You want to let the foam set for a day before you put the resin on. you then put the resin on and quickly after that put the sand in the resin. you want to then let the whole thing set for a couple of days so the foam become inert.
Shad, I tried to get the black pond foam but its seasonal and they were out. but this will look nice when it starts to get growth on it. I will keep pics coming as it matures with growth.

[RHAPALA]

as i said i like this and may make a few mini stands you also said they are good for pod growth? how so?

And the PVC will act as a nursery for pods and anotherthing to be quite important also is cryptic sponges which I have found out are very very good filters in tanks. i'm still learning about the pods and what they do ...... i understand they are a food ....

[graphixx]

well I drilled small holes in the PVC. what this does is it allows the pods to use the inside of the PVC for housing, this gives them a safe refuge for them to repopulate. Also with the sponges, sponges need a dark low flow place to flourish.

[RHAPALA]

the size of the tubing matter for this? canm i use 1/2 inch?

[graphixx]

yeah you could use 1/2 inch since your making smaller ones 1/2 inch should work

[hummer]

looks good but now i got some ? tomany to write LOL i will call ya some time

[Sweetpea]

Greg, would you mind sharing where you did your research? I would like to read up on them too and see if I can build some racks for my new tank before it comes in. Who knows, I might make some mini ones for the nanos! ;)

[dakar]

looks good but now i got some ? tomany to write LOL i will call ya some time

If you could take the time to type them out it'd be appreciated, no telling how many people would benefit from the Q & A's.

[MedicMike]

I dig the foam idea kinda looks like barnicles or something

[carpenterwrasse]

Greg,
I love the foam...Years ago I tried the same concept but it had less than favorable results...I was more of a novice then....please pass along the sources of your research. I too would love to read up on it
George

[graphixx]

Allright tonight I got the resin on and started coating with sand. and i must say the pics do not do them justice, the texture on them is AWESOME. the resin sets pretty quick so you have to work on sections at a time. but here ya go.

[jojo22]

LOOKIN GOOD BUD!!!

[RHAPALA]

VERY NICE I SHOULD START MINE THIS WEEKEND SOME TIME

[Fatman]

Is this so you can get the big on top small on bottom effect? Do you have some pictures that sorta look what your trying to do, Im having a hard time visualizing this.

[dakar]

Looking good Greg.... can't wait to see how the resin and such take on or repel coraline growth.

[carpenterwrasse]

hows Lyndee likeing you putting that on her endtable...

[graphixx]

This is the rack that I built today, this one is gonna work awesome. if you notice it has a little cave on each side which will be awesoem for critters. I still have to resin and sand it but you get the idea.

[RHAPALA]

nice man i cant wait till i start mine

[hummer]

totaly cool look great im going to manards thanks 4 the insight

[carpenterwrasse]

thanks for the insipration..will be working on mine soon