3d Aquarium Rock Background (Fiberglass)

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

Faux Rock Panel Faux Rock Panel waterfallnow waterfallnow

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)

How To Make Imitation Rock

WaterfallNow will show you the gist of how we create imitation or mock rocks. These are the rocks that we use to create our water features. There are different materials we use for different applications to achieve different textures. We also employ different materials to get a different weight, sound of water, and natural color over time through the growth of moss. There are many people searching for ways to make homemade imitation rocks. The do it yourself (DIY) videos online are teaching methods that will crack, chip, and break easily. WaterfallNow has tried virtually every method and can say that the method we employ has been tested thoroughly and is employed by all the biggest companies in the world. Why make small boulders when you can make mountains?

Click here to view how most do-it-yourselfers are doing it

This is what people think of when they hear the words faux rock or imitation rock. Not very appealing.

Styrofoam is nice indoors but doesn’t last outdoors.

Chips, leaks, and cracks are a pain to deal with

Video on how imitation rock panels are used to make a small fountain. Made using a lighter panel for this application.

Get a gist of how to make realistic imitation rock panels here using GFRC/fiberglass. These artificial/faux rocks look better than the real thing in some cases. In many cases they can even cost less than the real thing.

How to make imitation rock

How to make imitation rock with WaterfallNow. GFRC/fiberglass

Pondless Waterfalls: Artificial Rock Features

Pondless waterfalls

These are a fascinating addition to most yards that address the problems with pond waterfalls. Not everyone has the natural landscape and slopes to work with in creating a regular waterfall. Pondless waterfalls on the other hand can be built anywhere. Moreover, the lack of a pond means less maintenance. Less to clean, no requirements to leave it running all the time, safe for children, and more uptime. Premade pond kits are available at most stores. Alternatively you can do a local search for waterfalls, water features or landscaping companies.

When constructing a pondless waterfall the two major things to consider are the size of the water reservoir and the dimensions of the cascading waterfall. Once those two things are determined the rest is history. A method WaterfallNow recommends for getting ideas is to do a search online. WaterfallNow is in the process of creating ready to order waterfalls for the garden. Those that have a project requiring on-site custom work can request much larger features.

How Do Pondless Waterfalls Work?

Pondless waterfalls require water but not the traditional pond. By now most people know how the evaporation process works in nature. A pondless waterfall works in a similar way. One way to picture the process is to imagine a giant hose that sucks water up from the earth up to the rain clouds which  sends rain back to the earth and gets sucked up again – repeat. The same water that comes down the waterfall and into the water reservoir gets sent back up to the top of the waterfall through a hose which then sends the water back down.

Pondless Waterfall

WaterfallNow’s rocks are hollow making them portable. First the hole is dug, second the pond liners (EPDM) are added, and third the rock and plumbing are installed. Additional steps depend on the level of customization depending on the lighting or plants used.  Most of the work is in the preparation of our rocks.

Pondless Waterfall Artificial RockJust add plants

The Benefits Of WaterfallNow’s Pondless Waterfalls Include:

  • Attractive year after year: Only light cleaning to the water reservoir is needed once every few months.
  • Less that can go wrong: If there is a problem with one of the parts repairs or replacements are within reach.
  • Not a permanent feature: Can relocate, take down, move, sell, use as a cover, or be upgraded to something larger.
  • The beauty of a large water feature in even a small space: Scalable both vertically and horizontally.
  • Not prone to freeze-thaw action or hidden leaks within the rock.
  • No forming prep-work.
  • Safe for small children: No fear of drowning in a pond.
  • Less green bacterial mess: Higher upfront cost than other applications without the ongoing maintenance fees.
  • Only need to turn on when in use: Cost on average $3-6 per month when used a few hours per day.

Many landscape designers use natural rocks to create cascading streams. This is the method that most people are familiar with and one that WaterfallNow no longer employs. In this situation it is most common for the landscape artist to work with the land as opposed to against the land. In some cases they re-create the land itself by adding large boulders or more dirt. This is done to achieve the desired height (dimensions) for the water feature. The benefit of pondless waterfalls for those that simply want a nice sized realistic miniature waterfall in their yard is that the land does not dictate what you can or cannot have.

Making The Pond

As always, contact BC ONE CALL before you dig to avoid hitting any plumbing).

WaterfallNow creates the water reservoir for indoor applications as well as for outdoor applications. All that is required is very light digging. WaterfallNow’s pondless waterfalls usually go only 3 feet deep for the larger projects and less for smaller ones.

Creating the pond sounds easy and often gets overlooked. Doing it right plays a role in ensuring that the water level will not decrease on a daily basis. This means you don’t have to constantly fill the pondless waterfall with more water on a daily basis. As long as the water that goes up falls back onto the pond liner and into the water reservoir you won’t risk damaging the water pump. Water pumps last many years when properly maintained. A water pump that is not fully submerged in the water will not operate as long as it could due to the damage caused on the motor.

Dig the hole, remove sharp objects and rocks, lay down a few layers of pre-liner (carpet/tarp) and the pond liner (EPDM) on top. These are the essentials.

Pondless Waterfall Pond Liner

Making The Artificial Rock Features

WaterfallNow employs a fibreglass/natural stone combination to create rock faces that look like the ones found in nature. These pieces are assembled either on location for custom work or premade (ready to ship). There is relatively low demand for artificial rock made using fibreglass as the majority of the population is unaware that such a thing exists. Most people are however familiar with styrofoam which isn’t as durable or concrete which is prone to cracking.

Making artificial rock waterfall

Let us know how we can better serve you as we continue to improve.

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