Finally took pics of my Room Divider

[Ruth]

Great looking tank and stand. I am thinking of doing some of that stone stuff around my fireplace - seeing your stand it makes me think maybe I should do some around my tanks as well.

[b_james]

Thanks for all your comments.

The tank has been running now for about 5-1/2 months now. Maintinence is quite simple at all water changes and dosing are performed in the basement. Since the tank has been set up, I have only spot cleaned the sand twice. The glass is cleaned every 3-4 days as required.

I really like the look of the stacked stone, it really gives a natural texture to the room. Infact I'm planning on replacing the tile on my fireplace and installing the same rock I used on the tank to tie the two together.

One other major change I plan for the system is to upgrade my lighting to the same fixture but in the 250W version - I will end up selling the 150W light system.

[TheReefGeek]

I think I now have a plan for my unfinished wall around my tank! Eldorado Stone sounds much easier that doing more sanding and mudding!

Want to come clean my tank too!

Nice setup, love the stone.

[b_james]

[quote=TheReefGeek]I think I now have a plan for my unfinished wall around my tank! Eldorado Stone sounds much easier that doing more sanding and mudding!


If your thinking of going stone, I would be glad to answer any questions you may have. I was a little intimidated at first as I have never worked with stone, tile or alike but I wanted the look of stone and I was determined to learn...

[TheReefGeek]

I do have a few ?'s.

What kind of store do you find that at? Specialty? Hardware? Landscaping? Where should I start looking?

How do you cut it to size? Masonry/Cemend blades? What kind of glue, and do you know if it can stick to walls, or should I put up wood first?

[mark]

IXL showroom (8605 Coronet Rd) has a large display of different cultured stone. Believe it was a Owens Corning product when I was looking at but they have a link to Eldoradostone.

http://ixlbrick.com/

http://www.eldoradostone.com/flashsite/

[TheReefGeek]

Cool thanks! Now I just have to google map coronet road!

[mark]

Just behind the Timmy's on Argyll down from 83st

[TheReefGeek]

Yeah I google mapped it, its not too far from my work so I will definately check them out.

[b_james]

The stone I used was the Eldorado Stone (Nantucket Stacked Stone) from IXL. Talk to Fraser Powel, Mention Bryan James (guy with fish tank) hes the guy I delt with. The retailers/installers will aways recommend using a proper substrate such as lath mesh, morter ect. but he told me "off the record" because its indoors and not exposed to freeze thaw conditions that you can just use PL400 construction adhesive - I would recommend the PL Premium instead - its basically the same but does not have an odour. I went through about 20 LARGE tubes of the PL400 and all I can say is the house stunk for weeks after.

IKL also sells Owens Corning "Cultured Stone" brand but in most cases it has to be ordered where as IXL should have stock of all Eldorado stone. Another reason I went with Eldorado is that it look more realistic, more depth and color variation than the Cultured Stone brand. Also it was quite a bit less expensive.

Installation was quite easy all you need is a masonary blade for your chop saw - assuming you have one. You can even rent one from Home depot. The blade is the same that is uded for cutting tile - looks like a solid black discthat feels like a sandpapery mesh. You can pick them up for about $8 a blade. 1 would probably do, but it doesnt hurt to get an extra as they do wear down pretty quick. Cutting is very messy - lot os white fine power/dust becasue the rock is actually made of a light weight pourous concrete. As far as you existing wall, Im not sure how durable your paint is but it might be a good Idea to rough it up a bit with a course sandpaper. It only took me a day to do all the rock work - mind you thats without a nagging wife pointing out everything your doing wrong.