PVC log/cave

[Patfish]

I saw this cool fake log aquarium decoration at the pet store for $50
Looked for cheaper on ebay with no luck.
Saw a DIY on YouTube and im gonna try it.
The only PVC i have on hand is 2" so I'm doing a test branch to see if I can make it look good enough to go into the pond.

 

[Patfish]

Started with grinder cutting "knot" holes and grooves for the bark.
Shaped the ends with the grinder.
Heated it up with heatgun and made a knot bump and bent a twisted a little.
Sanded any areas still shiny.
Base coat of flat black acrilic paint.
Waiting for it to dry........

 

[brokensword]

that's pretty creative; you should try using a 4-6" and perhaps splitting it half way. I would imagine you don't need the paint because algae will eventually cover it anyhow.

 

[Patfish]

Thats the plan. To use half of a big pipe. This is all i had already in the garage.
Will paint it and use a flat clear to keep thepaint on it longer. I'll try to post the link to the video so he gets credit for the idea.

 

[Patfish]

Added brown paint

 

[Tula]

Added brown paint

Wow, it looks great !

 

[Patfish]

Added light brown, tan, and green.
Now after it dries I can put the clear on it. Then since it went well I will buy an piece of bigger pipe and do a half log with it.
Then wait till spring to put them in the pond

 

[BarbO]

That is awesome! You could make and sell those!

 

[Lisak1]

That is very cool! And I agree - you could sell those! We've looked natural stumps and branches for sale at pond shops and nurseries - they want HUNDREDS for them, and those will eventually rot and have to be replaced. Yours would last forever!

 

[sissy]

It might have been better with black ABS pipe but neat idea

 

[Patfish]

The clear coat made the coloring even better.
I went to buy 6" PVC but they don't have it at this store. So I bought 4" to make a log from that. I was going to cut the 6 in half for a log but I'll just cut the 4" and heat and spread it open to make it even bigger

 

[Patfish]

Starting a larger log.
I cut off a log size section of 4" pvc.
Carved the bark patern with angle grinder.
Split length ways
Heat and spread into half log shape
Heated one spot and drove my fist through it.
Drilled two 1" holes and heated them and pushed hand thorough them too.
Grinder to shape jagged edge on both ends
Heat and shaped ends.

 

[Lisak1]

You've got the technique down! This is going to look great!

 

[Patfish]

A little detail paint

 

[Patfish]

these are the inspiration videos
the more he does the better he gets