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Using a REAL Anchor?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Andy The Reef Guy, Dec 17, 2010.

  1. Dec 17, 2010 #1
    Andy The Reef Guy

    Andy The Reef Guy Inactive User

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    Using a real anchor in a large reef tank is something I've thought about doing for a long time. Sure there is alot of tacky decor out there for aquariums in general, and the nature of our hobby is back to the natural and promotes the keeping of live decor. But, in a say 300 gallon tank, I would take a 30x18x14" anchor and position it so it was stuck in the rockwork, and allow my corals to grow over it, weathering it, I think it could be a real unique concept (unless you guys steal my idea lol), kind of unorthodox but cool I think!
    What about using an aluminum or galvinized steel anchor, the concern is leaching heavy metals into our closed system and killing things. Are either of these materials stable in saltwater? They use them in the ocean, I don't know if that's because they're entirely unreactive or if simply because it doesn't matter compared to sheer massive brute volume. If it is the case that they are corrosively toxic, could you use an epoxy resin or powdercoating sealant to seal metals from the object for use in the aquarium?
    Thoughts, opinions, links to sealants?
    -ANdy
     
  2. Dec 17, 2010 #2
    xroads La Porte City, IA

    xroads Veteran Reefkeeper Vendor

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    Sounds really cool

    I would just use a regular iron anchor. Perhaps one reclaimed from the ocean already.

    I think that would be the safest as far as leaching material in the tank.

    If anything put a magnet in your sump to collect flakes or pieces.
     
  3. Dec 17, 2010 #3
    mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

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    I have considered things very simmilar to this andy and it really came down to sculpting something that looked like what you want out of LR or base rock . giving the apperance of age. this way I wouldnt have to worry about what may leach into my system .

    you could also do something out of foam, and use greatstuff and argonite.
     
  4. Dec 17, 2010 #4
    ninjazx777 Des Moines, IA

    ninjazx777 Experienced Reefkeeper

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    make one out of ceramic talk to your local high school most of them have an art dept that can make ceramic art and fire and glaze it
     
  5. Dec 17, 2010 #5
    ransomed4ever

    ransomed4ever Inactive User

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    I'd say that with the volume of the oceans all the ships and everything thats at the bottom of them would only be comparable to a single metal flake in your 300 gallon tank. Like the others are saying, I'd find a fake plastic one or cast one out of agracrete or something.
     
  6. Dec 17, 2010 #6
    Andy The Reef Guy

    Andy The Reef Guy Inactive User

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    Yeah, I know, not even comperable to one single metal flake, just enormously unfathomable, and I deal with really really really really small numbers sometimes. I don't think that I could make an authentic looking anchor, I think a mediocre looking fake would just look tacky.
     

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