Another rock shelf

[tebstan]

I've got another rock shelf! :)

Thanks aggiereefer, for the awesome rock! I was giddy when I saw it.

And big thanks to txg8gxp for helping me get it fit for magnets and corner placement. It looks awesome.

http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss9/TebstansTank/Miscellaneous/FlatRockShelfA.jpg

http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss9/TebstansTank/Miscellaneous/FlatRockShelfC.jpg

http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss9/TebstansTank/Miscellaneous/FlatRockShelfD.jpg

I need to order a few more bigger magnets. It's held up with a bunch of tiny ones. It works, but leaves me magnet-less for future projects. To anyone looking to try this, it's worth springing a few bucks for the stronger magnets. The little ones work for mushrooms, frags, and replacing suction cups, so they still have their purpose. But the slightly bigger ones are needed for this kind of rock project.

Now I just need to find something to put on it... and under it... hmm. :bigsmile:

[txg8gxp]

It worked out good, It will be great with the stronger magnets. Going to go from 3.5 pound to 15 pound pull magnets :) that should git-r-done. Magnets are held in place with reef epoxy putty and ca glue. I first added ca glue then epoxy then ca then the magnets. I use ca because the epoxy doesn't seem to attach to the rock great for me, but once the epoxy cures it strenghtens the bond up nice.

[allan]

Nice

[Europhyllia]

Maybe a magnet group order is needed! Nice :)

[Scream311]

I've always wanted to try this but was too afraid. But seeing you and stephen pull it off. I think ill give it a try. Thanks for posting pics

[Big_Pun]

very nice thanks for the DIY info, I do the same thing with frag plugs super glue then epoxy on bottom of plug then glue on epoxy and then straight into the tank where I want the plug secured

[tebstan]

Here's a little info on the magnets I've used (and want to use) from K&J Magnetics:

D84PC-BLK
1/2" dia. x 1/4" thick
Grade N42 - Black Plastic Coated
Pull force: 3.45 lb
.95 ea


DC6PC-BLK
3/4" dia. x 3/8" thick
Grade N42 - Black Plastic Coated
Pull force: 10.86 lbs
3.50 ea


DC6BR-N52
3/4" dia. x 3/8" thick
Grade N52 - Black Rubber Coated
Pull force: 15.73 lb
3.50 ea


I started with mostly D84PC. They're cheap so I ordered a bunch of them. It's been fun putting large mushrooms on the back wall with them. I've also replaced some irritating suction cups that always popped off the spray bar in my fuge.

I only got a few of the DC6PC since they were higher in cost, and I had no idea what "Pull force" would mean when involving water. I should have gotten more when I decided to try having rock shelves along the back wall.

I'll be ordering the DC6BR instead of the DC6PC next time around. They are the same size and same cost, but a bit stronger. (How did I miss that before?!) One difference though, I'm not sure if it will matter. One is "plastic coated" and one is "rubber coated." If it's fully coated, it should be okay, right?

For rocks, I'll put little D84PC on the rock for inside the tank, and use the bigger DC6BR on the outside. I assumed the thin rock I got from aggiereefer would be a better shelf because it is so thin and light weight. With some stronger magnets, it will be fine. But, the shape of the FHI rock from Gabe does feel a little sturdier, and looks a little more natural growing out of the back wall.

I do want to get some more magnets, so if anyone else is interested we can look at doing a group order.

I'll be keeping my eye out for cool shelf rocks. That back wall is valuable real estate! And it's fun to play with magnets. :)


http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss9/TebstansTank/Miscellaneous/FHIMagnetRock11-28-10.jpg

http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss9/TebstansTank/Miscellaneous/FlatRockShelfD.jpg

http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss9/TebstansTank/Mushrooms/BothHairyMushroomsonbackwallwithmagnets10-31-10.jpg

[Europhyllia]

I just thought of something:
Is there a weight limit to what you can attach to the gl*****
I had a CPR fuge hanging on the back corner of my tank for a long time and I had tons of sand in it as a pseudo DSB on the old tank. That thing was heavy!!
It even left a little dent in the trim.
I am not sure if it had anything to do with it or just coincidence but months later when the tank burst, it burst in that corner.
It's probably different from attaching it directly to the glass though

If you do a group order, please post it! I'd like to get some. I hate suction cups too ;)

[tebstan]

I am not sure if it had anything to do with it or just coincidence but months later when the tank burst, it burst in that corner.


Ack! That's scary.... How big was the box? Sand is pretty heavy, so I hope this rock shelf won't have the same effect. The FHI rock was just over 2 lb. I didn't weight the flat rock, but it was significantly less. Maybe I won't populate the entire back wall with shelves....

Still want some more magnets though :)

[Mr Cob]

very inventive. looks great.

http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss9/TebstansTank/Miscellaneous/FlatRockShelfA.jpg

http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss9/TebstansTank/Miscellaneous/FlatRockShelfC.jpg

[tebstan]

I pulled out the last rock shelf... it was too flat and looked unnatural.

I Love FHI rock. There always seems to be some really nice shaped pieces, and it isn't too heavy to make use of with magnets.

I've made two new shelves, so I'm up to three now. All are FHI pieces with magnets from K&J. I plan on keeping my LPS frags on them, since my pistol shrimp wants to steal them and bury them in his cave like hoarded treasure.

The two new shelves:
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss9/TebstansTank/Miscellaneous/NewShelves07-02-11.jpg

Side view of all three shelves:
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss9/TebstansTank/Miscellaneous/AllShelves07-02-11.jpg