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So several weeks ago I was looking around and decided to build my own caves. The natural look was ok, but since this tank is mainly for my sons viewing pleasure, I wanted to do something a bit different.
What I started with was a large bag of black glass "vase stones". The small dime size ones that you sometimes see in betta tanks. I also got some irregular shaped iridescent blue stones. I chose black aquarium silicone so it would blend with the rocks. As I went I checked each rock, threw out any that were broken and a few that had a sharp point.
First layer. I pre-measured the area I was going to put it in, for height and width. The bottom layer of stones at this point has no silicone, the second layer is what holds it together. I had to wait about 20 minutes between every two layers for the silicone to set enough so the rocks would stop sliding. they still had a little movement but not enough to collapse.
After I got the height I wanted for the bottom layer I cut a section of clear plastic mesh and held it down with another layer of stones. I also ended up covering the silicone tube with saran wrap because I kept getting small leaks and it was getting all over the place.
After another 20+ minutes I turned the entire thing over. I added a thick layer of silicone across the bottom layer of stones. I wanted to try and make this to where there wouldn't be a lot of debris catching in between the stones. It also helps support the bottom layer as they were moving more than I wanted.
I coated the entire mesh with a thick layer of silicone. I did the entire mesh before adding the stones because my first attempt still had places you could see the mesh. I also coated the entire inside of the cave with silicone, again to avoid debris catching and causing issues.
Top "lookout". I forgot to take pictures in between these two, but I waited about 45 minutes before flipping the cave back. After flipping I did a full layer of stones across the top, then slowly built up the top cave. I also made a center pillar for the bottom cave, so now its turned into a tunnel. I built it seperately then silicone it on. This is also added support for the lookout up top. I used a piece of the same plastic mesh just to support the top cave as it hardened (the rocks kept slipping, the mesh was removed after it settled. I also started adding the blue irregular stones into the nooks and crevices. I wanted them scattered.
Finally done. It is 9 inches wide, 4 inches deep, and about 7 inches tall. The silicone is supposed to cure for 48 hours but im planning on giving it a week before I actually put it into the tank.
Its not in the tank yet so I can still make some adjustments. There isn't any rocks loose, or falling, I've already tested them. I also plan on soaking it in a bucket first to wash off any dust/debris that it will get from sitting on my living room coffee table. What do you think?
What I started with was a large bag of black glass "vase stones". The small dime size ones that you sometimes see in betta tanks. I also got some irregular shaped iridescent blue stones. I chose black aquarium silicone so it would blend with the rocks. As I went I checked each rock, threw out any that were broken and a few that had a sharp point.
First layer. I pre-measured the area I was going to put it in, for height and width. The bottom layer of stones at this point has no silicone, the second layer is what holds it together. I had to wait about 20 minutes between every two layers for the silicone to set enough so the rocks would stop sliding. they still had a little movement but not enough to collapse.
After I got the height I wanted for the bottom layer I cut a section of clear plastic mesh and held it down with another layer of stones. I also ended up covering the silicone tube with saran wrap because I kept getting small leaks and it was getting all over the place.
After another 20+ minutes I turned the entire thing over. I added a thick layer of silicone across the bottom layer of stones. I wanted to try and make this to where there wouldn't be a lot of debris catching in between the stones. It also helps support the bottom layer as they were moving more than I wanted.
I coated the entire mesh with a thick layer of silicone. I did the entire mesh before adding the stones because my first attempt still had places you could see the mesh. I also coated the entire inside of the cave with silicone, again to avoid debris catching and causing issues.
Top "lookout". I forgot to take pictures in between these two, but I waited about 45 minutes before flipping the cave back. After flipping I did a full layer of stones across the top, then slowly built up the top cave. I also made a center pillar for the bottom cave, so now its turned into a tunnel. I built it seperately then silicone it on. This is also added support for the lookout up top. I used a piece of the same plastic mesh just to support the top cave as it hardened (the rocks kept slipping, the mesh was removed after it settled. I also started adding the blue irregular stones into the nooks and crevices. I wanted them scattered.
Finally done. It is 9 inches wide, 4 inches deep, and about 7 inches tall. The silicone is supposed to cure for 48 hours but im planning on giving it a week before I actually put it into the tank.
Its not in the tank yet so I can still make some adjustments. There isn't any rocks loose, or falling, I've already tested them. I also plan on soaking it in a bucket first to wash off any dust/debris that it will get from sitting on my living room coffee table. What do you think?
i like different an sometimes you cant buy different lol.
