Slate building

[mattsbottleofjager]

Here are some pics of what I have been working on for my community tank. First off I have to give thanks to Robflanker and his slate rocks he made, thats what I intended to do when I got started on this. I wanted to make come caves for my planned cockatoo cichlids and this is what I ended up with.

[mattsbottleofjager]

And 2 more before I broke it during cleaning (blush)
I will finish assembly Tuesday and hopefully put it in the tank and get some in tank pictures. The slate I used is green with some layers of what looks like quarts crystal and looks really cool wet. Hopefully I can get some moss growing all over it to make it look a little more fitting.

[Wiggs]

looks good, but I would try for a more natural look.

stacking them on a more subtle angle and doing away with the pieces sticking straight up should do the stick.

[mattsbottleofjager]

Yeah, I'm honestly not too sure about it, but once I got going I decided since its my first build I was just going to keep going and see what happened. I think thats why I want to try to get it covered in moss or something that will make it fit in better. But anyway this is what happens when unartistic people try to build s**t :11:

[EddyC]

That looks really cool. One quick way to attach moss is to simply hot glue/super glue it to the slate before you put it in the tank. It gives you more control over where the moss goes.

As for you being "unartistic", I'm an art student at MassArt, and let me tell you that from an artist's perspective that sculpture's pretty well done. I know I couldn't do better.

You're fish will love it. Good job!

[sailor]

What are you using to secure the pieces to each other?

[mattsbottleofjager]

Lol, thanks Eddy. Gorilla glue all the way, 100% waterproof(according to the label) Put the glue on, clamp and let sit an hour, 24hr full cure. It foams up kinda like spray foam, so it doesn't take much.

I assume if I just start the moss on the bottom it will grow up and around right? I plan on goin to LFS today and seeing if they have any.

[Northernguy]

I like it!
It will look a whole lot different once its in the tank!
Nice job!thumbs2:

[DrNic]

Looks great! Where did you get that much slate?

[mattsbottleofjager]

Thanks for the kind comments :22:

The slate I got for $.155/Lb. at a local landscape supply yard, much better than $2/Lb. at LFS. Around 50lbs. cost about $7, and I still have quite a bit left to make smaller single caves or whatever.

[terrapin24h]

Dude, that is mbuna heaven right there. Totally sweet and will look even better with moss on it!. I think i might try my hand at that someday

--chris

[mattsbottleofjager]

Ok, its in the water now and I'm still not too sure about it (blush)

[mattsbottleofjager]

Here is a FTS, Saturday is cleaning day and I will be doing some more arranging then. The glue really stands out now and hopefully I can get some java moss in and growing on it soon. I really don't think I like it as is now, but will see what happens when I get moss growing on it.

[terrapin24h]

I like it! But maybe put it in the center of the tank and put the low one on the end. You could also help it blend in by doing some small "1 room" caves around the tank. Right now i think it stands out in the tank because it has a more "organic" or natural look to than your other decor.

--chris

[ARN209]

Yeah, I'm honestly not too sure about it, but once I got going I decided since its my first build I was just going to keep going and see what happened. I think thats why I want to try to get it covered in moss or something that will make it fit in better. But anyway this is what happens when unartistic people try to build s**t :11:

its not natural what so ever, but i like the artistic aspect of it. i like to consider myself an artist, and i say this is artistic. Kinda like an abstract sculpture, but unlike most abstract sculptures, this one serves a purpose. KUDOS. Love it.