amaux2

Greetings!
I'm currently setting up a 180L (42gal) tank, and would like to theme it around Lord of the Rings.
For those of you who have seen the movies, I have a couple of ideas and wanted some opinions on whether they would work.

For an easy aquascape, I was thinking of the scene at the beginning of the Return of the King, where Deagol and Smeagol are fishing and Deagol finds the ring in the creek. All I'd have to do is set up the tank with plants and rocks (like I'd do anyway) and make/buy a large replica of the One Ring, and bury it half in the sand.
My question is what would I make the ring out of that would be safe? I'd like it shiny so it stands out, and large enough to be a focal point in the tank.

My second idea is to create a replica of the Shire. I can imagine a few hobbit holes, with moss growing over them.
What would be the simplest ways of creating these little round caves?

Thanks for any suggestions!

Nate McFin

Sounds like a neat idea!
PVC for the caves or terra cotta?
The ring would be trickier as you want it shiny so you think metal. Which leads to rust and or leaching of metals int the water column. (Not good for fish!)
Metallic paints would likely cause water issues with chemicals?
I do look forward to seeing the finished product. Maybe others will have some insight.
Best Wishes,
Nate

Butterfly

Clay pots covered in moss would make a great hobbit hole
Carol

rileyrk190

You could try sculpting them out of styrofoam, and then covering them in cement, then painting and sealing with epoxy. I know it will float, but if you silicone them to a slate/rock base they should sink. They would have to cure first before putting them in the tank to make sure anything potentially harmful is leeched out and so it wont raise the pH. a rotary tool is excellent for carving things out of styrofoam...i have thought about trying to do something similar myself although atlantis themed.

alicem

I've been trying to do some searches for you, but I don't seem to have a good connection.
I'll toss some ideas your way and you can research/refine them. (This may not be feasable anyway...)

For the ring I was thinking you could use a pvc elbow and cut it off however wide you want the band to be.
Elbows have thicker ends and that'll let you use a larger diameter and still keep it realistic looking.
You could use 1", 2", 3", 4"... diameter, but probably the smaller 2-3" would look truer. There are different thicknesses of pvc.

Then sand the cut end to smooth it off, paint the whole thing gold.
Lastly, seal it with some sort of water resistant clear coat to reduce any water/metals problems.
Didn't the ring have some graphics on it? You could free hand those on with black artist paint before sealing...

Possilby to disquise this type of item by spreading clear silicone caulk over it and roll in dark green (maybe mixed with black) sand. Thicker the better.
Good old java moss would give it a deep in the woods wooly look. Or just give it time to grow algae on it.
hth,
alicem

gremlin

For the ring, you might find something that would work in the children's bracelet department. I've seen plastic "metallic" bracelets, you might be able to find one that would be close to what you want. The size would be right for the size tank you have too. Maybe something like this? http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0029X9MK0/...SIN=B0029X9MK0

Nick Goody

My soccer coach made the actual "one ring" used in the movies.

ABCDemily

Ah, LOTR.

I'd go for the hobbit hole idea, with java moss. Maybe using styrofoam, sculpt Sauron's tower, with the eye, and getg some aquarium safe black rock around the edge to represent mordor.

For the background of the tank I'd print out a massive map of Middle Earth and stick it to the back

Good luck!

amaux2

Wow, thanks for all the ideas!
A children's bangle is a good one ty Gremlin, I'll definitely keep in mind, as is the elbow Alicem! There is carvings on the ring, but yeah, painted black would work...

Yeah I was thinking of the stryofoam idea as well, although I was reading somewhere that cement products need to cure for 6 weeks to be safe? I don't want to wait 6 weeks to set it up

And yes Sauron's tower would be very awesome indeed! I like the idea of the map in the background, but I was thinking of printing out a scene from whatever landscape we ended up going with (maybe one of the original artworks rather than from the movie).

Nick, was your soccer coach in the 'behind the scenes'? I vaguely remember an interview with people who created the ring.

I'll definitely post pics up once I get started, thanks again !!

Nick Goody

Yeah he was. His name is Thorkild Hansen (Jens Hansen Jewellers). He's the one in the pic holding the trophy.

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rileyrk190

My background only cured for a week, but i only did two coats of cement.

amaux2

Well, I'm still thinking of what I'm going to do, however, I'm tempted to go with an easy idea as I'm getting impatient and want to get my fish!
Because I'm thinking of either shellies or the rock dwelling cichlids, maybe the landscape around Mordor would work - plenty of rocks and I'm sure a few shells won't look too out of place :P

DoublexL

you could modify this design to work... http://www.duboisi.com/diy/BNdiygrotto/bndiygrotto.htm

gremlin

That's pretty cool - Instead of putting them in horizontally and having to fasten them, you could turn them vertical and keep the bottom smooth and even to wiggle into your substrate. Maybe even glue a couple of larger rocks to the bottom to help stabilize it. That way it would be easier to remove for major cleanings or to rearrange or if you have to hunt for a fish.

amaux2

That's a cool idea - doesn't look too difficult either
I found a 3D background that someone had made using polystyrene and instead of coating it with cement and epoxy resin, only used pond sealant (safe for fish).
Has anyone else just used pond sealant? Wondering about the longevity of it on the polystyrene.
I'm also thinking the Mines of Moria would be awesome - can you imagine that stone bridge as a focal point

peacemaker92

Wow! I wish I could build that DIY background. Your ring theme tank idea sounds cool Amaux, hope to see some pics soon! haha Good luck!

KyWildFish

I would avoid paints, they contain a lot of chemicals which could break down into some harmful stuff for fish.

The best idea I have off hand is real gold. It doesnt rust or leach into water as its very stable. If you could find an aluminum ring the right size, then get it plated with 25k, that would be a safe bet.

Master Snake

Oh man oh man! What a terrific idea! If I was you I'd up it to a 55 and make half the rocky horrible mountain mount doom on the right side with Minis Tirith on the left with a battle path in between. Stock a with red tail shark to act as the witch king, gouramis and snails to act as trolls, the ugliest tetras to act as orcs, a betta to act as gandalf, some gups to act as hobbits, a discus to act as Aragorn, and many rainbows to act as troops. I know this stocking and situation is near impossible but imagine the fun you would have with the underwater grand finale of battles!