Creating Interior Decorations - Aquarium Advice

robertmarda · 12-19-2002, 10:36 PM

I want to create a tower/castle for my 55 gallon or 20 gallon tank. I am planning for it to have a number of openings (doors and windows) in it and also plan to have a ramp near the top which will serve as a ramp for my turtle to surface and bask.

The best idea I have thought of to do this is to use some non flexible plastic sheets to build the framework and ramp. I would use silicon to keep it together. Then I would cover it with silicon and place gravel on it so that it blends better with the other items in the tank.

Has anyone tried something like this before? Anyone have better ideas on materials to use?

Somethingfishy · 12-20-2002, 03:59 AM

I have not got personal experience with it, but I have seen some people creating their own backgrounds and I think they used a type of polystyrene and stuff, and it did look awesome. Can't remember where I saw it

ghostdev · 01-09-2003, 05:57 AM

I find lego makes for excellent decorations. And when you get tired of it, pull it out and rebuild it. They even have some very fitting underwater theme sets. Just be sure to weigh them down.

robertmarda · 01-09-2003, 08:04 AM

I like that idea!

I think I'll go get some legos. Not that I'll discard my other idea, as I look forward to the challenge of making something that blends with the gravel. But a nice castle built out of legos would look cool too.

fishfreek · 01-09-2003, 08:57 AM

This is something that I saw suggested on another forum.

If you take some PVC pipe and cover it with aquarium safe sylicon and then roll the pipe around in aquarium gravel you will end up with a gravel covered pipe.

You could arange these how ever you want.

I might try this myself

robertmarda · 01-09-2003, 09:30 AM

I have actually been thinking of using plastic pipes for columns to make my tower. It didn't occur to me to roll the pipe in the gravel. Good, these ideas are very helpful!

robertmarda · 01-20-2003, 09:16 PM

Today I purchased a small tube of 100% clear silicone, a 10 foot long PVC pipe with a 3/4 inch diameter and some 6 inch by 9 inch clear plexiglass. These will become a tower. The fish will be able to swim in and out of the lower levels. The top level will have two ramps and will be dry. This will become a basking area for our turtle.

I also bought two short 4 inch diameter pipes which will become a cave. I have already begun to cover one of them with silicone and gravel.

My question is how long do I need to wait for the silicone to dry before placing items I create into my fish tanks?

Bearfan · 01-20-2003, 09:19 PM

Silicone needs to cure at minimum 48 hours, but I suggest the 7 day rule so you get the maximum strength. If you submerse it before that, you will not achieve the maximum strength.

robertmarda · 01-20-2003, 09:28 PM

Thanks for your quick response.

I will exercise extreme patience.

12-19-2002, 10:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
robertmarda Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Woodbridge, Virginia, USA Posts: 294	Creating Interior Decorations I want to create a tower/castle for my 55 gallon or 20 gallon tank. I am planning for it to have a number of openings (doors and windows) in it and also plan to have a ramp near the top which will serve as a ramp for my turtle to surface and bask. The best idea I have thought of to do this is to use some non flexible plastic sheets to build the framework and ramp. I would use silicon to keep it together. Then I would cover it with silicon and place gravel on it so that it blends better with the other items in the tank. Has anyone tried something like this before? Anyone have better ideas on materials to use? __________________ Robert W. Marda

01-09-2003, 08:04 AM	#4 (permalink)
robertmarda Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Woodbridge, Virginia, USA Posts: 294	I like that idea! I think I'll go get some legos. Not that I'll discard my other idea, as I look forward to the challenge of making something that blends with the gravel. But a nice castle built out of legos would look cool too. __________________ Robert W. Marda

01-09-2003, 08:57 AM	#5 (permalink)
fishfreek Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2002 Location: Virginia Posts: 14,037 Images: 82	This is something that I saw suggested on another forum. If you take some PVC pipe and cover it with aquarium safe sylicon and then roll the pipe around in aquarium gravel you will end up with a gravel covered pipe. You could arange these how ever you want. I might try this myself __________________ Remember dont tap the glass, your fish will think you're an idiot -Anonymous mother Check out our articles area. 30+ Aquatic articles for your enjoyment Are you in or around the Shenandoah Valley area? If so click here to join our regional forum. Looking for affordable web hosting? Look no more We have the answer Learn more about Coral Reef Conservation. Free photo hosting

01-09-2003, 09:30 AM	#6 (permalink)
robertmarda Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Woodbridge, Virginia, USA Posts: 294	I have actually been thinking of using plastic pipes for columns to make my tower. It didn't occur to me to roll the pipe in the gravel. Good, these ideas are very helpful! __________________ Robert W. Marda

01-20-2003, 09:16 PM	#7 (permalink)
robertmarda Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Woodbridge, Virginia, USA Posts: 294	Today I purchased a small tube of 100% clear silicone, a 10 foot long PVC pipe with a 3/4 inch diameter and some 6 inch by 9 inch clear plexiglass. These will become a tower. The fish will be able to swim in and out of the lower levels. The top level will have two ramps and will be dry. This will become a basking area for our turtle. I also bought two short 4 inch diameter pipes which will become a cave. I have already begun to cover one of them with silicone and gravel. My question is how long do I need to wait for the silicone to dry before placing items I create into my fish tanks? __________________ Robert W. Marda

12-20-2002, 03:59 AM	#2 (permalink)
Somethingfishy Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 329	I have not got personal experience with it, but I have seen some people creating their own backgrounds and I think they used a type of polystyrene and stuff, and it did look awesome. Can't remember where I saw it

01-09-2003, 05:57 AM	#3 (permalink)
ghostdev Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Calgary, AB CA Posts: 1	I find lego makes for excellent decorations. And when you get tired of it, pull it out and rebuild it. They even have some very fitting underwater theme sets. Just be sure to weigh them down.

01-20-2003, 09:19 PM	#8 (permalink)
Bearfan Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Marquette, MI Posts: 3,570 Images: 45	Silicone needs to cure at minimum 48 hours, but I suggest the 7 day rule so you get the maximum strength. If you submerse it before that, you will not achieve the maximum strength. __________________ 75 gal w/ 75 gal sump, 25 gal fuge with Chaeto and 25 gal frag - 4x65 PC w/ Moonlite on the main tank, 2x20W PC on the fuge, 4x20W PC on the frag 72 Gal Bowfront Planted w/ 2x65 PC and 40W T8

01-20-2003, 09:28 PM	#9 (permalink)
robertmarda Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Woodbridge, Virginia, USA Posts: 294	Thanks for your quick response. I will exercise extreme patience. __________________ Robert W. Marda

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