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Anyone ambitious enough to terrace their aquarium with natural rock
understands the challenge of restoring things just as they were after a good
tank cleaning.
The Stone Terraces idea shown here attempts to make an easier task of maintaining a terraced aquascape.
The Stone Terraces idea shown here attempts to make an easier task of maintaining a terraced aquascape.
DIY Aquarium Background
Stone Terraces
Stone Terraces
The stone terrace desigins in this project were
created using a process of casting cement in
do-it-yourself silicone molds.
The process began with shaping a master design using air-dry type clay on a board covered with plastic sheeting.
The photo to the left shows the first master design still in clay form.
The process began with shaping a master design using air-dry type clay on a board covered with plastic sheeting.
The photo to the left shows the first master design still in clay form.
The black lines on the plastic sheet outline the
footprint of a 29 gallon aquarium and helped
make sure the design would fit the tank.
The terraces however, can be used in any aquarium that size or larger.
The terraces however, can be used in any aquarium that size or larger.
This view shows the upper and lower sections
of the stone terrace design.
The compartment is complete when the top piece is positioned over the lower piece.
Once in cement form, the pieces will be heavy enough to stay put and back filled with gravel.
The compartment is complete when the top piece is positioned over the lower piece.
Once in cement form, the pieces will be heavy enough to stay put and back filled with gravel.
On the project table, two separate distinct
designs are shown. The design on the left was
built and duplicated several times in cement
when it was discovered that it could be
positioned in either the left or right corner of the
aquarium.
The master clay piece to the right was retired before it ever made it to the mold stage.
The master clay piece to the right was retired before it ever made it to the mold stage.
View of assembled stone terrace designs still in
clay form. Drying air-dry clay is best done
slowly, but this weekend artisan was eager to
move forward with the project.
Lesson learned, the clay developed some large cracks that had to be repaired with more clay.
Following that, the pieces were allowed to dry on their own time in the basement.
Lesson learned, the clay developed some large cracks that had to be repaired with more clay.
Following that, the pieces were allowed to dry on their own time in the basement.
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welcome to
do-it-yourself aquarium and semi-aquatic background designs beyond the traditional
Dramatic AquaScapes