How to Aquascape with PVC

Marine fish and invertebrate animals such as octopus and crabs require holes in which they can shelter. PVC pipes, positioned on the gravel in an aquarium, are ideal for this purpose. PVC pipes can be glued together to form structures, upon which natural rocks can be arranged. This kind of pipe structure raises the rocks off the gravel at the bottom of an aquarium and allows for improved water circulation. By elevating rocks from the sand, you also prevent dead spots from forming under the rock base, where uneaten food and other detritus can accumulate. By coating the PVC pipe in sea sand, the pipe is camouflaged and has a more natural look.

Things You'll Need

  • 5 pounds of sea sand
  • Small saucer
  • Three shallow plastic trays
  • Plastic knife
  • 8-inch long PVC piping, 2-inch diameter (six pieces)
  • Stick (about 10 inches long)
  • Plastic egg crate (12 inches long-by-8 inches wide)
  • Non-toxic 100-percent silicone sealer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Put 5 pounds of sea sand into a shallow plastic tray.

    • 2

      Squeeze half a tube of non-toxic 100-percent silicone sealer onto a saucer.

    • 3

      Place the first 8-inch long piece of PVC piping vertically into the second shallow plastic tray. Place a 10-inch long stick loosely into the pipe.

    • 4

      Hold the pipe firmly and using the plastic knife, spread silicone sealer from the saucer over the entire outer surface of the pipe.

    • 5

      Carefully move the pipe, using the stick as leverage, to the tray of sea sand. Place the pipe onto the sea sand and roll the pipe around, until sand is adhered to the entire outer surface of the tube.

    • 6

      Remove the tube and place it in a vertical position in the third shallow plastic tray. Allow it to set for 24 hours.

    • 7

      Repeat the entire process for the remaining five 8-inch long pieces of PVC pipe.

    • 8

      Place two of the 8-inch long pieces of PVC piping next to each other, in a horizontal position. Place a half-teaspoon of non-toxic 100-percent silicone sealer between the pipes and hold them together for a few minutes. Leave the two pieces to set for three hours.

    • 9

      Place a teaspoon of the silicone sealer onto the side of the third 8-inch long piece of PVC and place this pipe, in a horizontal position with the sealer facing down, on top of the two pipes that have already been sealed together.

    • 10

      Leave the three pipes to set for a full 24 hours.

    • 11

      Build a second structure, in exactly the same shape that you have just completed, from the remaining three pieces of PVC pipe, and allow the new structure to set for 24 hours.

    • 12

      Rinse both pipe structures gently under running water.

    • 13

      Position both structures horizontally into the aquarium, 10 inches apart.

    • 14

      Lay the egg crate on top of the two structures. Place a number of attractively shaped rocks and coral skeletons onto the egg crate. Position smaller rocks around the base of the larger rocks, to hide the egg crate. The sand-coated PVC pipes look natural and offer hiding places for fish and invertebrate animals. Egg crate is obtainable at most home improvement stores.