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	Making Aquarium Rocks
grottosandfins Banned Posts: 10 Votes: 0 Registered: 23-Mar-2005	My friends with cichlids have been bugging me to make rocks with caves in them for a while. So I did. I've made them with caves in all different areas of the rock. Note that these are replicas of the exact same rock. They say I should start a business selling these things since cichlids like to breed in them. All material is aquarium-safe. Are they just kidding me or is there really a market for this?[/font]
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
kj fishy-finn Big Fish Posts: 385 Kudos: 200 Registered: 21-Jan-2004	i think it would be a good idea, but your image didnt show up. kj fishy-finn <*)))>< 20 Gallon Album 5 Gallon Album
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
grottosandfins Banned Posts: 10 Votes: 0 Registered: 23-Mar-2005	Have pics but cannot figure out how to display them.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
xlinkinparkx Fish Addict Posts: 521 Kudos: 353 Votes: 2 Registered: 23-Apr-2005	What do u maen by making rock? 10gallon: 8neons 5gallon: 1betta 1oto 2platys
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
grottosandfins Banned Posts: 10 Votes: 0 Registered: 23-Mar-2005	I have taken an actual mold of a rock and I replicate the rock with cement. I make caves in the cement and dye stain them. All is aquarium safe. Have to soak cement in water for weeks to allow cement to cure.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
Calilasseia Ultimate Fish Guru Panda Funster Posts: 5496 Kudos: 2828 Votes: 731 Registered: 10-Feb-2003	Hmm, similar to the way in which some rocks are made using resins. However, the resins become chemically inactive when they set, so they don't need curing. At least that's the case if using epoxy resins, which set like rock pretty quickly if cured in an oven at 70°C ... Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
grottosandfins Banned Posts: 10 Votes: 0 Registered: 23-Mar-2005	True, but I find plastic ornaments generally look plastic. So I decided to make them out of cement to more naturally replicate a rock.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
tankie Fish Addict Posts: 857 Kudos: 848 Votes: 230 Registered: 15-Mar-2005	well..why not bring the idea with one of the makers...then see how it is....gudluck
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
grottosandfins Banned Posts: 10 Votes: 0 Registered: 23-Mar-2005	May try that. Thanks.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
greenmonkey51 Fish Master Posts: 1571 Kudos: 1692 Votes: 5 Registered: 28-Jan-2004	I hate rain on your parade but a lot of people have done this already but with out the molds. I know that garf.org has an article about it and cichlid-forum.com also has one. I doubt though that any manufacters would invest with it since there so easy to make.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
grottosandfins Banned Posts: 10 Votes: 0 Registered: 23-Mar-2005	I got a little confused there. No, a large manufacturer would definitely NOT have anything to do with making this type of rock. It does not lend itself to mass production. It is very labor intensive. I have read alot about GARF. They have some interesting videos floating around the net showing them making some reef rock.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
Calilasseia Ultimate Fish Guru Panda Funster Posts: 5496 Kudos: 2828 Votes: 731 Registered: 10-Feb-2003	With respect to resin rocks, yes they can look 'plasticky'. But this can be avoided by embedding small bits of real rock in the epoxy matrix before curing and setting. Epoxy resin can also be used to glue smaller rock pieces into intricate larger structures that provide a nice playground/climbing frame for Corys and Loaches. However, before embarking on a project like that, I'd check the provenance (and aquarium safety) of the source rock pieces (common sense of course, but you'd be surprised how many people miss out on this step when fired up with enthusiasm for the new project!). And, since you've already worked with concrete and produced aquarium safe rocks (after appropriate treatment) using that method, why not let your creativity fly and mix and match methods? Who knows what wonders you'll end up with if you do? Only one way to find out - suck it and see. Go for it. Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
grottosandfins Banned Posts: 10 Votes: 0 Registered: 23-Mar-2005	Sounds interesting...mix and match...I'll think about it...thx
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
grottosandfins Banned Posts: 10 Votes: 0 Registered: 23-Mar-2005	If anyone is interested in pics, I will have to e-mail them to you. Thx.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26


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