Wireform Moss Sculptures?

BakedStuffedHuman · 08-19-2007, 04:31 AM

Starting a new 10 gallon moss tank but I wanted something unique to go with my future moss wall.

I was in the craft store today and saw some wireform while looking at the plastic mesh. It had large enough grids and was made out of 100% aluminum.

Anyone ever use wireform or wiremesh in their tanks?

My plan was to take 2 sheets, place them over a rock that I like the shape of, form them to the rock, then place the moss between the two sheets.

Hopefully this will give me a custom moss rock.

Any suggestions or ideas or experiences with this material?

**hooha** · 08-19-2007, 05:12 AM

never used them myself, but you'll likely have to figure out a way to keep them from floating....

BakedStuffedHuman · 08-19-2007, 05:31 AM

Yeah, I figured I could dig them into the substrate, and since they would be "hallow" inside, maybe just tie a small rock.

**hooha** · 08-19-2007, 05:56 AM

Honestly, I don't think I've heard anyone try it before....maybe you should try it out and post your expereinces

PHalas · 08-19-2007, 06:02 AM

Would be curious to see how aluminum would do long term sub aqua ?? I know it does not usually oxidize until taken out, but if you were dosing ferts, maybe this would "rot" the aluminum??

The reason for my concern is I had Fissidens on SS mesh in a tank W/ flourite & it just melted over a time!!.... Maybe it was the substrate??

I know plastic would be a safe bet, but you would not be able to do the "sculpting" W/ the plastic that you could do W/ the Aluminum.

BakedStuffedHuman · 08-19-2007, 01:48 PM

I have a really unique shaped rock that is very hard, and I would like to duplicate it several times, which is why I am interested in this method.

Here is what it looks like: http://www.sculpt.com/catalog_98/wireform/WireForm1.htm

turbosaurus · 08-24-2007, 03:43 PM

The one thing about moss is that it is furry- so you will always loose some of the detail of the shape once it grows in. IME, once a rock is covered with moss- they all look the same. It may be more trouble than it is worth.

BakedStuffedHuman · 08-26-2007, 12:38 AM

Good point.

I probably would lose any of the details of the rocks.

I think I'll try the ol' hairnet around the rock trick.

08-19-2007, 04:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
BakedStuffedHuman Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (5) Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 244	Wireform Moss Sculptures? Starting a new 10 gallon moss tank but I wanted something unique to go with my future moss wall. I was in the craft store today and saw some wireform while looking at the plastic mesh. It had large enough grids and was made out of 100% aluminum. Anyone ever use wireform or wiremesh in their tanks? My plan was to take 2 sheets, place them over a rock that I like the shape of, form them to the rock, then place the moss between the two sheets. Hopefully this will give me a custom moss rock. Any suggestions or ideas or experiences with this material?

08-19-2007, 05:12 AM	#2 (permalink)
hooha Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (65) Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 829	never used them myself, but you'll likely have to figure out a way to keep them from floating.... __________________ Member of PAPAS Pittsburgh Area Planted Aquarium Society

08-19-2007, 05:56 AM	#4 (permalink)
hooha Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (65) Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 829	Honestly, I don't think I've heard anyone try it before....maybe you should try it out and post your expereinces __________________ Member of PAPAS Pittsburgh Area Planted Aquarium Society

08-24-2007, 03:43 PM	#7 (permalink)
turbosaurus Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (44) Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Yonkers, NY Posts: 810	The one thing about moss is that it is furry- so you will always loose some of the detail of the shape once it grows in. IME, once a rock is covered with moss- they all look the same. It may be more trouble than it is worth. __________________ The plural of anecdote is not data

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08-19-2007, 05:31 AM	#3 (permalink)
BakedStuffedHuman Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (5) Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 244	Yeah, I figured I could dig them into the substrate, and since they would be "hallow" inside, maybe just tie a small rock.

08-19-2007, 06:02 AM	#5 (permalink)
PHalas Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (23) Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Tampa Fl Posts: 249	Would be curious to see how aluminum would do long term sub aqua ?? I know it does not usually oxidize until taken out, but if you were dosing ferts, maybe this would "rot" the aluminum?? The reason for my concern is I had Fissidens on SS mesh in a tank W/ flourite & it just melted over a time!!.... Maybe it was the substrate?? I know plastic would be a safe bet, but you would not be able to do the "sculpting" W/ the plastic that you could do W/ the Aluminum.

08-19-2007, 01:48 PM	#6 (permalink)
BakedStuffedHuman Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (5) Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 244	I have a really unique shaped rock that is very hard, and I would like to duplicate it several times, which is why I am interested in this method. Here is what it looks like: http://www.sculpt.com/catalog_98/wireform/WireForm1.htm

08-26-2007, 12:38 AM	#8 (permalink)
BakedStuffedHuman Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (5) Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 244	Good point. I probably would lose any of the details of the rocks. I think I'll try the ol' hairnet around the rock trick.

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