Waters Edge

[greenmonkey51]

I'm having trouble figuring out how to do the water edge on my viv. I would think the coco fiber would rot and the pea gravel wouldn't look natural like I have in the river and pond. Would just black silicone look good enough.

[maxmlax]

some things that can look good along the edge without too much "sogging" going on are some nice flat stones, or large magnolia leaves, I also use cork bark on occasion.

hope that helps you start thinking of new things to use!

i like using wood or stone. if you find the right [piece of wood it can look really great.

here are a few examples

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v618/ ... -30009.jpg

you can see it better here wihtout plants
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v618/ ... 011_PB.jpg


another
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v618/ ... 044_PB.jpg

while being installed
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v618/ ... 871_PB.jpg


hope this'll give you some ideas. i think ive got some pics on my hard drive of a 37 tall i did with a slate waters edge if youd like me to dig them up for you.

I too would go for stones, or wood. I love using rocks to not only make the shore, but to define its contours. I silicone them to the glass so they keep the land section from sliding into the water later on.

[greenmonkey51]

I think I have some slate I could try to shape around the edge. Should I just put down some black silicone underneath to cover the great stuff. Also I siliconed down coco fiber in the intial water fall pond. Is there any way to remove it. Heres some pics of the general construction plan

http://www.dendroboard.com/phpBB2/viewt ... highlight=

[defaced]

Silicone should just pull off of the GS. Find an edge and start peeling. +

For the slate, yes lay down some silicone and then put the slate on. I know you're not going to be doing something like this (pic below), but be prepaired to use a good amount of silicone.

[Tripod]

Nice rock work, Mike.

Does anyone know of a good source (i.e. cheap and easy to find) of slate? Also, is slate easy to break and shape?

[defaced]

Thanks.

Slate is super easy to break and shape. You can drill it with wood bits and cut it with an abrasive saw blade. Though, if you're going to cut it, use a dust mask, this stuff would be hell on your lungs. Another word of caution, don't use your hands/feet to hold it while breaking. I got a 2" long, 1/4" deep gash on my ankle because I some slate over a cement step, one foot holding it, the other breaking it.

That slate costs like 4 bucks for a 50# bag. I found it at a small garden place. If you can't find some locally, I might be able to help you out, but it's going to be alot more expensive (shipping) than geting it locally.

my local Lowes and HD sell it. they sell it for like $2 for a piece. the pieces are supposed to be 2'x2', but are mostly smaller due to breakage.

[Frogger 415]

I carved mine out of thick styrofoam and coverd it in brown silicone , the pond was made out of a tupperware container .