DYI grotto Question

I think am going to go with a DYI PVC overflow, since I have a ton of pvc pipe at my house. But I was thinking of doing a grotto to cover the pvc, I would like to do something alone this route http://www.aquariumlife.net/projects/diy-decoration/7.asp but us glass as the base. Any base idea for a better base or rocks to use would be appreciated.

thank all

 

You're talking about a vertical wall to hide the overflow behind? Try acrylic, maybe? Easier to drill than glass...

 

The link makes it look very appealing. Let everyone know what happens with it.

 

i will try acrylic. just need to find so med to small size rocks. when i start i will post it, step by step and i just finished my pvc over flow and it works great

 

Keep in mind the original work was done with lava rock, which is probably 95% lighter than other rock. If you do what he did with regular rock, your resulting work will be very heavy. My major concern would be how to affix the completed wall to the back glass of your aquarium.

 

good point, but i would like to use a different type of rock a more lighter rock if i can then i will try the lava

 

but i could use lava because it is reef safe

 

I must have the ability to confirm the location of all my tank inhabitants. When I notice a large golfball sized turbo snail is "missing", I'm going to look around until I know that he's not in my overflow box.

An errant snail who's made its way to an overflow could spell disaster if not caught before comitting the crime. I'm sure the fish would love the hiding places with all the out-of-sight voids in the back of the tank in this grotto design, but I couldn't leave my house or go to sleep knowing there are places I can't visually check. And what if a sizable fish dies back there? That's a big headache, not to mention ammonia spike.

Additionally, you'd be sacraficing a lot of tank area just to hide a PVC overflow. After all is said and done, a box overflow purchased on ebay for $45 bucks might save you some time and expense.

I know when I have an idea that I'm excited about, anyone who tells me why it might be a bad idea is automatically a party pooper; and I just don't want to hear it!! At the risk of sounding like a nay-sayer, I feel strongly that in this hobby, there are just some things over which you must have complete control.

A cool grotto, $35. An overflow box on ebay, $45. The ability to sleep well at night? Priceless.

 

I gotta agree with spark. I have had wonderful success with my external overflow. Otherwise, I would work with acrylic as the others have stated. How to affix it? Hmmmmm. Don't know.

 

lol you make a good point. i will not beable to sleep either if i cant find someone or "it" in my tank