PVC LR Shelf Rack

soriano · 01-16-2007, 04:33 PM

I wanted to do something different in the way of aquascaping with my new 120g. I really want a rock shelf that extends out into the tank (not an arch) so here's my plan.

Below is a pvc LR rack (not yet complete). I need a few more T's to join the upper portion and I'm going to extend the base a bit more and the upper shelf will extend out the same length!!

I'm going to coat the structure with silicone and cover it up with rubble or crushed coral. Once coralline sets in, i don't think you'll recognize the structure.

After that I'm going to take some flat LR pieces, drill some holes and zip tie them to the structure.

The base will be covered by the sand and I will get my shelf!

Woodstock · 01-16-2007, 04:49 PM

Sounds like a great idea.

It would be nice if you could take pics along the way so we can watch from afar

DeepBlue · 01-16-2007, 04:55 PM

Very nice! That will allow for some really nice flow behind the rock structure. By strapping the rocks to the frame will make them very stable. Hopefully you won't have to move the structure to get behind it.

billyr98 · 01-17-2007, 02:19 AM

i like the idea... keep us posted...

Gina · 01-17-2007, 05:49 AM

I agree with Woodstock, pics along the way!
Looking forward to seeing how it looks in the tank!

lcstorc · 01-17-2007, 10:19 AM

Very interresting! Please keep us posted with pics.

pmac90 · 01-17-2007, 10:30 AM

If you don't have them (I can't see'm) I would put end caps on the open pipe. I would hate to see you post a pic in 6 months about a giant bristle worm that you know is in the tank but you just can't find'm!

I've always been a fan of the pvc rock structure... good luck and plenty of pics!

soriano · 01-17-2007, 11:25 AM

pmac90- good point on the end caps. I'll add some on both top and bottom.
I ran out of pipe and fittings, but i'm off to get some more today - more pics coming tonight.

In the end, I hope to extend the shelf about 12". (hope is the operative word).

saltwaterfarm · 01-17-2007, 01:53 PM

That is really neat. I like it. I'd be scared that the base needed to be longer to keep it from falling forward. That's why I can't DIY ;-) Great job!

Jynx · 01-17-2007, 06:28 PM

Tell me more about how you will attach the rock. Will the plastic ties wrap around the rock and the PVC or will you drill holes through either the rock, the PVC or both. Any concerns about the glue used to join the PVC pipes.
Using a framework like this seems like it opens up lots of creative possibilities for aquascaping.

Dentoid · 01-17-2007, 10:06 PM

Can't wait to see it in situ.

soriano · 01-18-2007, 12:19 AM

check it out. I tested it with some heavy base rock to test how much it would flex. I don't mind how much it flexed. Once the rock zip tied, it won't fall off. Plus it makes for a more natural structure instead of a straight shelf.

billyr98 · 01-18-2007, 12:27 AM

very interesting, i will be taggin along ...

soriano · 01-18-2007, 10:59 AM

Jynx - I'm going to try and hide the zip ties as best as I can. I think i'm just going to drill throught the rock and feed the zips through. I don't think I'll drill the pvc. Once it's coated in silicone and rubble, then you won't even see it wrapped around the structure.

Jynx · 01-18-2007, 11:43 AM

I am setting up a 75 gallon tank at my office and have some ideas about aquascaping that I want to try. A PVC framework like you are using appeals to me. Please keep me updated on how thing progress.
Did you just press fit the frame together or did you glue to joints. Is the glue safe to put in the tank...

01-16-2007, 04:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 22,553 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: PVC LR Shelf Rack Sounds like a great idea. It would be nice if you could take pics along the way so we can watch from afar __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* ~120 Reef Chronicle ~ *~Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________ 120 mixed reef, dual Reeflux 10k 250 MHs, dual Geiseman Actinic T5s,Neptune AC III, ASM g3, 2x Korallia #3, Mag 9.5 return

01-16-2007, 04:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
DeepBlue Serpent Star Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 224 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: PVC LR Shelf Rack Very nice! That will allow for some really nice flow behind the rock structure. By strapping the rocks to the frame will make them very stable. Hopefully you won't have to move the structure to get behind it. __________________ Kris ___________________________ 38 Gal. Corner Bowfront 64# Live Rock 60# DSB ProClear 75 Wet/Dry converted to sump w/Catalina 2200 pump 10 Gal. Fuge ASM G3 Skimmer Sun Pod 150 HQI w/ moonlights and 64 watt PC Actinics 2 - Hydor Korallia Circulation Heads (1 - #2 and 1 - #3) Yellow Tang, Blue Damsel, 2 Ocellaris Clowns, 2 Green Chromis, Citron Goby, White Sebae Anemone, Crocea Clam, Frilly Mushrooms, Green Ricordia, Acropora, Montipora, Zooanthids, Serpant Star, Cleaner Shrimp and Snails

01-17-2007, 02:19 AM	#4 (permalink)
billyr98 Reefing Addict Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ Posts: 5,399 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: PVC LR Shelf Rack i like the idea... keep us posted... __________________ Billyr98 -=NJRC Treasurer=- My 450g Reef Tank ~~~ Its HERE!!!

01-17-2007, 05:49 AM	#5 (permalink)
Gina Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,764 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: PVC LR Shelf Rack I agree with Woodstock, pics along the way! Looking forward to seeing how it looks in the tank! __________________ Gina and Mark's 75 Visit Our Sponsors Gina's Cube Gina

01-17-2007, 10:19 AM	#6 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 17,965 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: PVC LR Shelf Rack Very interresting! Please keep us posted with pics. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

01-17-2007, 10:30 AM	#7 (permalink)
pmac90 Cabbage Leather Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bristol, PA Posts: 371 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: PVC LR Shelf Rack If you don't have them (I can't see'm) I would put end caps on the open pipe. I would hate to see you post a pic in 6 months about a giant bristle worm that you know is in the tank but you just can't find'm! I've always been a fan of the pvc rock structure... good luck and plenty of pics! __________________ Pete 90 all glass leathers, hammer, frogspawn, trumpets, trachy shrooms, gsp, plate, xenia, buttons, gonipora.... clown goby, hippo, 6-line, scopas, ocellaris... 90 lbs live rock 3" sand bed double sump ASM G1 UV - Member NJRC-

01-17-2007, 11:25 AM	#8 (permalink)
soriano Midas Blenny Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada Posts: 86 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: PVC LR Shelf Rack pmac90- good point on the end caps. I'll add some on both top and bottom. I ran out of pipe and fittings, but i'm off to get some more today - more pics coming tonight. In the end, I hope to extend the shelf about 12". (hope is the operative word).

01-17-2007, 01:53 PM	#9 (permalink)
saltwaterfarm Manta Ray Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,222 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: PVC LR Shelf Rack That is really neat. I like it. I'd be scared that the base needed to be longer to keep it from falling forward. That's why I can't DIY ;-) Great job! __________________ Lisa 90 Gal AGA, DIY Sump/Fuge, Current Outer Orbit 250w MH's with T5's. AquaC Remora Pro Skimmer, RK2.[/font] Purple LTA, pair of Percula Clowns, Clams, Softies, Shrooms, Ricordea, Echinophyllia, Torch, Frogspawn, Blastos, Sponges, Acro, Wellso, the NEW Zoa Mountain, and some more stuff... 3 Gal Sexy Shrimp Pico. 29 Gal Oceanic BioCube, Current Sunpod 150w MH.

01-17-2007, 06:28 PM	#10 (permalink)
Jynx Bryozoan Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Columbus, Georgia Posts: 41 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: PVC LR Shelf Rack Tell me more about how you will attach the rock. Will the plastic ties wrap around the rock and the PVC or will you drill holes through either the rock, the PVC or both. Any concerns about the glue used to join the PVC pipes. Using a framework like this seems like it opens up lots of creative possibilities for aquascaping.

01-17-2007, 10:06 PM	#11 (permalink)
Dentoid Over Achiever Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 10,239 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: PVC LR Shelf Rack Can't wait to see it in situ. __________________ Scott Dentoid's Reeforama

01-18-2007, 12:27 AM	#13 (permalink)
billyr98 Reefing Addict Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ Posts: 5,399 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: PVC LR Shelf Rack very interesting, i will be taggin along ... __________________ Billyr98 -=NJRC Treasurer=- My 450g Reef Tank ~~~ Its HERE!!!

01-18-2007, 10:59 AM	#14 (permalink)
soriano Midas Blenny Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada Posts: 86 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: PVC LR Shelf Rack Jynx - I'm going to try and hide the zip ties as best as I can. I think i'm just going to drill throught the rock and feed the zips through. I don't think I'll drill the pvc. Once it's coated in silicone and rubble, then you won't even see it wrapped around the structure.

01-18-2007, 11:43 AM	#15 (permalink)
Jynx Bryozoan Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Columbus, Georgia Posts: 41 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: PVC LR Shelf Rack I am setting up a 75 gallon tank at my office and have some ideas about aquascaping that I want to try. A PVC framework like you are using appeals to me. Please keep me updated on how thing progress. Did you just press fit the frame together or did you glue to joints. Is the glue safe to put in the tank...

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)