PVC Aquascape

[FishSkedee]

I just made it to the aquascape portion of my 400g reef. Dimensions are 6x3x3 so I have plenty of height to work with. The structure will be 8” above the ground level, opening up the tank for flow above, beside, and below the coral. Here’s the first couple steps.. turning the PVC into Swiss cheese!

 

[mike550]

@FishSkedee are you really making your scape out of PVC?! Have to admit I’ve never seen that before — very bold move and I’m looking forward to seeing how it goes.

Couple of questions out of curiosity. Are you planning to secure corals to the PVC? That could look really cool. From a tank success standpoint how are you planning to house bacteria etc if you don’t use rock?

 

[bushdoc]

I have done something similar, but it was a skeleton for my rock scape.
Holes in PVC, to prevent anaerobic conditions inside are a good idea.

 

[FishSkedee]

@FishSkedee are you really making your scape out of PVC?! Have to admit I’ve never seen that before — very bold move and I’m looking forward to seeing how it goes.

Couple of questions out of curiosity. Are you planning to secure corals to the PVC? That could look really cool. From a tank success standpoint how are you planning to house bacteria etc if you don’t use rock?

I'll start posting a few updates, the PVC is just a skeleton and will be mostly covered with shelf rock, rubble, and foam. Once the "dry scape" if finished ill have 2 tanks worth of live rock/coral to drop on in

 

[FishSkedee]

I have done something similar, but it was a skeleton for my rock scape.
Holes in PVC, to prevent anaerobic conditions inside are a good idea.

Thanks, is your still up? I figured lots of holes will prevent anaerobic, create random flow, and give little guys more options to hide.

 

[bushdoc]

Thanks, is your still up? I figured lots of holes will prevent anaerobic, create random flow, and give little guys more options to hide.

No, I decided to take sand out first, then I have realized that I had too much rock for the flow, so my scape is much more delicate now.

 

[FishSkedee]

Just the legs took 3 days to drill, talk about a PITA!

 

[bushdoc]

Just the legs took 3 days to drill, talk about a PITA!

Nice, round holes, what drill bit are you using?

 

[FishSkedee]

No, I decided to take sand out first, then I have realized that I had too much rock for the flow, so my scape is much more delicate now.

I hear Ya, I'm doing bare bottom for this one, trying to get "into" the rockwork with the closed loop and return pipes. I want a lot of sleeping spots, but coral will provide good cover in the long run.. hopefully

 

[FishSkedee]

Just the legs actually took 3 days to drill, talk about a PITA!

Nice, round holes, what drill bit are you using?

Thanks, just a uni bit to gauge hole size for every spot.

 

[mike550]

I'll start posting a few updates, the PVC is just a skeleton and will be mostly covered with shelf rock, rubble, and foam. Once the "dry scape" if finished ill have 2 tanks worth of live rock/coral to drop on in

Please do! Would love to see this evolve.

 

[FishSkedee]

Stage 2.. hide this ugly PVC! Dry rock, glue, and pond foam is a good start.

 

[exnisstech]

@Paul B did most if not all of his scape with PVC if my old memory is functioning correctly. He even used heat to bend the pipe so you get more of a natural look as apposed to all 90 or 45 degree angles. Yours looks great! Paul used concrete I believe. Pond foam probably wasn't invented when he made his.

 

[FishSkedee]

@Paul B did most if not all of his scape with PVC if my old memory is functioning correctly. He even used heat to bend the pipe so you get more of a natural look as apposed to all 90 or 45 degree angles. Yours looks great! Paul used concrete I believe. Pond foam probably wasn't invented when he made his.

Definitely one of my favorite builds, I’m still contemplating the reverse gravel filter for my refugium..hmmm ya the PVC bending, if you heat the sand up first then add it to the pipe, then heat a little more it works really well. I’m getting ready to post an update, I added Marco 400 over the foam, wish I had the balls to use live concrete like @Paul B haha

 

[L0L_Z]

Do yo plan on doing an eel? Im sure any eel would love that scape

 

[Aluco]

That looks like a ton of work done in just a couple days. Nice work

 

[FishSkedee]

All of the foam has been covered with Marco-400. I ripped a 5’ section of 4” PVC to create a big cave across the back, thinking it will be a good eel hang out one day! Next it’s off to the paint booth

 

[FishSkedee]

Do yo plan on doing an eel? Im sure any eel would love that scape

I really want to add one eventually, they would be able to cruise all through that 1.5” pvc, just in case I go with a zebra eel I added a 5’ x 4” tunnel in the back to hide and stretch out. I’ve never had an eel though so still need to research more..

 

[FishSkedee]

That looks like a ton of work done in just a couple days. Nice work

Thanks, rock layout is one of my favorite parts. Now back to electrical while stuff dries.. not so fun haha

 

[L0L_Z]

I really want to add one eventually, they would be able to cruise all through that 1.5” pvc, just in case I go with a zebra eel I added a 5’ x 4” tunnel in the back to hide and stretch out. I’ve never had an eel though so still need to research more..

id recommend a snake eel, they are rare but fish safe for the most part, small and fairly active. Zebras get massive and are a threat to knocking random stuff over