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Unread 04/03/2014, 07:11 PM   #76
brackishdude
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does the shelf protrude above the water level? I ask because it would seem counter productive to have a c to c overflow and then put something in front of it that blocks the surface water and keeps it from skimming.


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Unread 04/03/2014, 07:59 PM   #77
karimwassef
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Slightly. Once all the shelves are in, the water level will rise to accommodate the slight thickness of the concrete lip. The shelves are also end to end and at the same level. I accounted for a 1/2" rise when they're all in.


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Unread 04/04/2014, 07:58 PM   #78
karimwassef
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Here are the skeletons... The biggest is a multi platform detachable:

 photo 9B7A17CB-0573-41DB-85B9-622FECE608D3_zpsss0o0pko.jpg

 photo FE801EDA-0100-4F39-892B-73CC6E7BF700_zpsnviblwzm.jpg

 photo AB34BFAB-97D9-45BF-911C-08E42A158141_zps6sauz2hd.jpg


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Unread 04/04/2014, 07:59 PM   #79
karimwassef
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Here is the branched pedestal:

 photo F60010F0-F378-43DC-9A7D-B45BE94F2B5E_zpsxqtwqqsu.jpg


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Unread 04/04/2014, 08:01 PM   #80
karimwassef
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Here are the building blocks:

 photo B9D86E90-F03F-40B3-A7C2-ACA51546DDF2_zps0xwerxl5.jpg

 photo DE0D937C-DE2D-4E84-B483-2E65E02AEEE8_zpsqwwjaptf.jpg

 photo 7D9F2D04-3051-478D-9F2B-27FE0BDBB38F_zpsj3wt3qui.jpg

 photo D989EBC8-DB7B-48DF-91EE-EF639707EE9F_zpslmtzkb3s.jpg

 photo 8079AA33-932C-46A8-BCE8-334EB5A4421F_zpssghoxgwy.jpg

 photo BB4C1866-0A79-461A-8964-65FC842F0FB9_zpsco4itvlz.jpg


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Unread 04/04/2014, 08:21 PM   #81
karimwassef
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Here it is in my 8' tank for scale and spacing

 photo CF1CCE82-3FC0-4081-BD50-11623A99D2C8_zpsdy5muzao.jpg

 photo B5FD8CD1-D2DB-4CEB-AC95-36A3124BDDCD_zpsuwnoqybk.jpg

 photo 9FEF5244-2901-46C7-94AA-C132A25EE91A_zpsay9y6gvy.jpg

 photo 204E473E-173E-4534-8CFE-384BF8224929_zpshawwql8m.jpg


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Unread 04/04/2014, 09:06 PM   #82
B E A R
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Thanks for doing this write, you have shared some great ideas and inspired a few.


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Unread 04/04/2014, 09:15 PM   #83
karimwassef
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Thanks. Any inputs or feedback on how to do things better?
For example... It's hard to use PVC to make irregular shapes. The 90 or 45 degree bends result in very artificial looking shapes compared to some of the beautiful aquascapes I've seen with live rock. I tried using a torch to soften the plastic but it's still pretty stiff.

I began adding eggcrate to establish contours in the horizontal, but now those are too flat...

I could stack eggcrate pieces and zip tie them but that is a lot of effort too.

I think I've got the concrete part down, but the creative shapes are limited by the skeleton materials.


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Unread 04/04/2014, 09:16 PM   #84
karimwassef
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Foam might work... Going to try that next but I worry about its structural integrity. The concrete cloth matrix I use is only partially structural in my builds. The plastic really supports the loads.


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Unread 04/05/2014, 03:59 PM   #85
karimwassef
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 photo 2a9fa0a7-d697-421b-8a7d-63aea1f0b085_zps558ab569.jpg

 photo 3e46541b-2d69-4613-9dc8-f13acdb91330_zpsb28e5952.jpg

 photo 50bbe86c-2121-4b89-a021-6b6598aba82e_zps3fdc8b19.jpg


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Unread 04/05/2014, 04:00 PM   #86
karimwassef
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Here's the other ledge too

 photo eea88de8-1ff0-4aa3-a5d1-36b6d6575ab8_zps4d9bf3af.jpg


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Unread 04/05/2014, 04:02 PM   #87
karimwassef
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Here's the branching platform trunk:

 photo b8c60f2e-3c6c-4e4e-937c-19ed52227453_zps73328fbb.jpg

 photo ab97dab0-ad45-4987-b698-b8292d5de449_zps486efb93.jpg

 photo 9835c018-ccde-4614-bdb9-17f5a0c3ac72_zpsf76cbe6c.jpg

 photo 6321e343-2fbb-419b-a53f-ea830d9d0e3e_zps8d36d882.jpg


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Unread 04/05/2014, 04:03 PM   #88
karimwassef
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Each of the 1/2" PVC branches will be detachable platforms.


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Unread 04/05/2014, 05:28 PM   #89
karimwassef
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I was hoping for feedback or dialog... Anyone have any input or ideas?


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Unread 04/05/2014, 05:41 PM   #90
muttley000
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I think when you get the cloth on you could continue to sculpt. What happens if you use more than one layer of it?


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Next step on the system is adding A 90 gallon!

Current Tank Info: 475 multitank system is now running! Several hundred gallons of additions planned!
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Unread 04/05/2014, 05:50 PM   #91
karimwassef
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I've done that to create a multidimensional look. Cloth on cloth and then I add loose concrete mix randomly to create a more complex surface texture.


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Unread 04/05/2014, 05:52 PM   #92
karimwassef
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Also, the cloth to cloth interfaces can be obvious. I add a ridge of concrete mix to make a more organic look.


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Unread 04/06/2014, 09:04 AM   #93
karimwassef
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new learnings:

The cement slurry that the cloth goes into first needs to runny. I made a batch that was closer to 'mud' to improve adhesion but the fiber penetration was poor and the mud texture began to overwhelm the concrete (sand, oyster, pumice) texture from the next dip stage.

I experimented with three final coatings: oyster shell, coarse sand, oolitic sand. The coarse sand looks best during the construction but we'll see at the end. It may be that a premix of the three calcium bases gives the best texture.


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Unread 04/06/2014, 02:32 PM   #94
hoooop54
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I love reading this thread. Very cool ideas. Where are you going to put the PVC tower you are building?


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Unread 04/06/2014, 04:02 PM   #95
karimwassef
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Thanks hoop.
I don't know where I'll put it yet. I think I'll put it in the center but that might take up too much space and kill the sand space... I'm trying to make the pieces flexible to avoid limiting their potential use later.


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Unread 04/06/2014, 04:05 PM   #96
karimwassef
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Here are the new pieces. Dry, dusted...

 photo ADD7A91D-664B-4EBE-98F0-3BB129BA90AE_zpsgamjzfz7.jpg

 photo 89F2EDDC-0BDD-4964-AC2F-38A29998256F_zpsumpinb5x.jpg

Here's the center trunk ... Branches and plastic mounting tubing removed

 photo 20796B59-4AED-40CF-83C1-B614FEFC1890_zpsqho2cfl4.jpg

 photo B11490A4-7CF9-42C7-9B50-4B45F4DC1B1E_zpsfor4r7hg.jpg


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Unread 04/06/2014, 04:10 PM   #97
karimwassef
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Here are the two new ledges. Here is the more complex shape first:

 photo 0E5F8945-FDCD-42AF-95CE-E719B440B7DF_zpsqasn3ac1.jpg

 photo D9DA3FA8-C621-4E94-AA03-E25F562A8D91_zps2izl5ck6.jpg

 photo F183CE5A-C2F6-4EE6-978A-725AF6B6EAD1_zpsjg4uonvm.jpg

Here's the simple straight ledge:


 photo CDE03DA7-F80F-4F71-9694-4E575D6C775A_zpsvycqzwrt.jpg

 photo 19BD359B-CBF4-406B-8245-4D0F62A48FD8_zpsnxupsnru.jpg

 photo 598C2278-E9F7-48D6-B5C1-08BF433C044B_zps0lxkzrs4.jpg


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Unread 04/06/2014, 04:11 PM   #98
karimwassef
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The pics came our more yellow but the surface is whiter. I have my 10k halides on and that's effecting the picture color temp.


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Unread 04/06/2014, 04:14 PM   #99
karimwassef
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One more learning: recycle!

I put plastic sheets under the work areas to collect and reuse the material yet falls off. The aragonite sand that falls off was enough to fill several small buckets.


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Unread 04/06/2014, 04:33 PM   #100
karimwassef
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The fine sand didn't stick to the concrete surface. I used it in the coral trunk piece.

It left a light dusting on the concrete making it more grey than white... But without an additional texture.

Based on this, I think a combination is best... Oyster shell for texture, coarse sand for surface finish, and fine sand for color.


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