Rocks and gravel

[Chuck Holyk]

When creating habitats for fish displays.  How much of the rocks and gravel that is used real and how much is fabricated / painted.  I have seen some very impressive wall mount displays on websites where a taxidermist would create a riverbed stream.  If the gravel was real, I could see it being extremely heavy display.

Thanks
Chuck.

[Matt Marulli (OTT)]

Check this link out.

http://www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php/topic,141103.0.html

[Doug Bridges]

I wrote an article that was in Breakthrough called "Rock On"
If you go to my website www.villagetaxidermist.com      look on the Articles page and you will find Rock On. Should help.

[Chuck Holyk]

I understand there are different techniques for making artificial rocks for displays, but that wasn't my question.

I was wondering if taxidermists use REAL rocks / gravel in their displays or if its all artificial.  I would assume that it is mostly artificial for weight concerns.

Thanks in advance.
Chuck.

[Matt Marulli (OTT)]

Sorry Chuck, I misread your question. I guess it would depend on the situation. Most of the time for me I use artificial.

[Sikk]

Chuck, for sand, gravel or pebble scenes I use the real thing but only on the surface that is visible, all lower build up work is foam, for small rubble and larger stones all repro. paul

[Nancy C]

I use a little bit of real gravel on bird bases since they are small anyway, but anything much over 1/4" in size will be fake unless it is a very special color that I want.
I will use special colored pebbles up to about an inch in size, but only sparingly -- maybe half a dozen at the most on a single base.

[Chuck Holyk]

Thanks all for the responses.