Do It Yourself

12 Oct 2014

Sticky Post By WaterfallNow Posted in 3d rock aquarium background, Aquarium, DIY, Do It Yourself, Fiberglass, Fiberglass Rock, Fibreglass Rock Permalink

3d Aquarium Rock Background (Fiberglass)

Sticky Post By WaterfallNow On October 12, 2014

Due to several requests, WaterfallNow has recently experimented with different 3d rock backgrounds for freshwater and saltwater fish aquariums and reptile tanks.

I looked at a few sites online to research whether or not regular epoxy resins (the kind used to seal boats).

One concern is whether or not non specific resin could potentially leak chemicals into the containing water and kill the fish.

When resin mixed with hardener that is properly mixed fully cures, it will not leach and basically becomes similar to a hard plastic. To be on the safe side, a hot curing process can create a stronger fiberglass product. In most cases direct sunlight on a hot day can do in a pinch however a hot box with a higher temperature will also create a much stronger bond.

A specific resin I came across that is specifically designed for use in aquariums is Sweetwater Epoxy made by Aquatic Ecosystems Inc.

Another resin is Max ACR resin which can be purchased on Amazon.

While general purpose resin is used for the construction of many aquariums, it is also sanded down and in some cases painted.

The worry with a 3d rock aquarium wall made with fiberglass resin would be that since natural rock sediments are mixed in, there may be some potential for leaching.

In the coral video below, one fellow claims to have tested his fiberglass coral for 12 months without incident.

I have not yet tested this out myself with real fish but have begun with putting a fiberglass rock in a water tank and will run a few tests in several months to see if the water quality has been affected.

Because most people will change out an aquariums rock wall background or fiberglass corals out every year or so, the chances of leaching are likely very small when the correct ratio of hardener to resin is used.

There is very low risk of leaching when used for reptile tanks as there is no water in the tank. However, you could risk creating a toxic environment for your lizards if there was to be humidity combined with improper curing techniques. In general, once fully cured, the resin can be assumed to be safe for use. To be on the safe side, you could opt to use a foam or rubber type material instead which can also be found and purchased on Amazon.

Sample of some of our fiberglass faux rock panels. The panels made using concrete GFRC are much heavier and thicker.

Making a small intricately designed rock mold and 3D rock background is not a difficult DIY project however it will cost more than simply purchasing one online at aqua-maniac.com

How to measure aquarium in order to get 3d aquarium background – short video tutorial

NEW 3D BACKGROUND REVIEW – YOUR FEEDBACK NEEDED

Aquarium Decoration Tutorial: How to Make Custom Foam 3D Aquarium Backgrounds

DYI – 3D aquarium coral reef background (using fiberglass)

04 Sep 2014

Sticky Post By WaterfallNow Posted in DIY, Do It Yourself, Garden Fountain, Water Feature, water features, Waterfall Design, Waterfall For Garden With No Comments Permalink

Waterfall Fountain: Bird Baths, Garden Water Features

Sticky Post By WaterfallNow On September 4, 2014 With No Comments

WaterfallNow can create beautiful waterfall fountains and water features for your garden. One of the interesting side effects that our clients have experienced in the past was a sudden increase in bird visits.

One of the things we do is creating custom hand-made rock fountains where birds simply love to hang out!

There are several benefits associated with bird baths that you may not have been aware of. Birds can help to aerate the surrounding soil, control pests, attract wasps which eat pests such as cabbage worms, and attract other beneficial insects that help pollinate vegatation. Of course many people also find the sound of chirping birds just outside the window quite enjoyable as opposed to an eerie quietness.

If you are interested in a bird bath fountain water feature there are many different types to choose from. You can usually find them at your local Rona, Walmart, Lowes, or Home Depot for under $100.

Here are some links to a few good waterfall fountain do-it-yourself ideas:

http://www.bobvila.com/diy-branches/44300-wing-it-16-approaches-to-a-diy-birdbath/slideshows#!0

http://www.laspilitas.com/garden/howto/birdbath.htm

http://www.pinterest.com/reginadoughman/birdbaths/

The leaf bird bath is a popular diy project with many video tutorials online: http://www.birdsandblooms.com/backyard-projects/diy-bird-bath/diy-leaf-bird-bath/

If you are looking for a custom fiberglass bird-bath and want to be able to pick different lighting styles, built-in heaters, custom fountain heads, colors, sizes, designs, and so forth, get in touch with us.

Feel free to email a sketch or photo of what you have in mind.

28 Jun 2014

Sticky Post By WaterfallNow Posted in Artificial Rocks, DIY, Do It Yourself, Faux Rock, Indoor Water Features, outdoor water features, Rock Column Fountains, Rock Pillar Bubbler Fountain, Water Feature, water features, Water Fountain Ideas With No Comments Permalink

How To Create Quality Do It Yourself Outdoor Water Features

Sticky Post By WaterfallNow On June 28, 2014 With No Comments

Here are a several resources available on creating your standard DIY water features.

Here is a tutorial on how to build your own water fountain using pots

As you can see from the above video, it doesn’t take much money or time to create your own patio water features. The sound of trickling water can enhance the ambiance out on the deck.

The next 4 part video courtesy of The Pond Digger features a mix of natural and faux rocks that are used to create a basalt column rock bubbler bird bad fountain. Don’t be afraid to add more variety with the types of rocks or plants used and to experiment with new ideas. Another recommendation is to find a spot clear of trees and to avoid placing them in areas where you get lots of falling leaves as that can cause the water to flow out or clog the pump.

Not sure where to buy a faux basalt rock column? Here is a do it yourself tutorial courtesy of Arteolike.

Basalt column fountain installation kits can sometimes be found at your local garden shop. However, this method demonstrates one of the many techniques to creating a faux basalt column. Real basalt rock columns for garden purposes can weigh thousands of pounds and requires heavy machinery to install. That is something better left up to the professionals.

The artificial rock water features such as waterfalls and fountains created by WaterfallNow do not fall under the do-it-yourself category.

We have spent many years developing our skills and experience creating custom water features while constantly stepping out of our comfort zone. However, there was a time when we once failed miserably at creating small do-it-yourself water features.

Fast forward to 100’s of water features later we can say that we are definitely much more experienced than we were many years ago.

Whatever your next DIY project, just remember that if you aren’t failing, you aren’t just trying trying hard enough. Get creative. All you really need is a small pump, tubing, drill, screws, glue, and some creativity. Now you have a few examples of how to create quality do it yourself outdoor water features. Start with the basics and maybe someday we can combine our work on the same project.

Hopefully you’ve stumbled across this page because you were looking for some inspiration and found it. Feel free to share your ideas with us on our Facebook page.