live rock stuff

ok i have been looking into differnt ways to stack live rock, i am moving to a 90 so i am changing the way i am stacking my rock, i want to make like a 2 ft or so arch outa a bunch of small pecies of live rock, i want to drill if and stick pvc pipeing (sp?) so what kinda of drill bit will go through live rock? and what kinda drill anu help here?

 

also what can i use to hold it together? pvc only comes in 1/2 inch smallest, is there something else that would work?

 

For the drill bit, I'd just go with a masonry bit. There are several different types, some meant for different materials. Any one meant for cement blocks would do fine. In fact, you could probably use any one and it would work well. As for the pvc, anything plastic, no metal. I know it not much help, I plan on doing something similar. I wasn't planning on using pvc pipe, I will just go to the lhs and look around for a thing rod made of plastic.

 

Some ppl also use tie wraps to secure the LR with the pvc tubes. You would be surprised how fragile LR actually is.

 

I tried to drill some and most of it broke apart. I used masonry bits, it didn't seem to help. IMO unless you have access to some awesome bits glue the rock together to form the shapes you want. Otty did this and look at his tank thread, awesome aquascape!! I'm sure that if you sent him a PM he would be more than happy to help you out with this.

http://www.3reef.com/forums/show-off-your-fish-tanks/otty-s-265-w-3-sided-view-39314.html

 

If you are able to drill it you could use acrylic rod instead of pvc, that way the hole would be smaller.

 

Another suggestion is to use those plastic cable ties, link them up and thread them through any holes in the rock (much like a needle and thread). If the rock needs to be drilled at any point the smaller drill bit would lessen the chance of breaking the rock.

Here's a crude diagram of the linkage:

<=============[] <==============[] <============[]


The ties come in all sorts of lengths and sizes.

Good luck!

 

Go get a good 1/4 carbide bit about 15.00 for a real one at any tool supply place look at W.W Grainger Co or maybe even a Lowe's or some larger Hardware stores. How is that Moorish Idol working out for you ?

 

He died already, The owner gave it to deathco, they just threw it in without any acclaimation. Nice......huh?

 

hhaha yee not so bueno, ahaha, yeah but i have been wanting to make a big arch so the fish can swim through it, and i am moving up to a 90 and moving my pc's with it, so it would be the eprfect spot to put high light needing corals and such.