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Materials Needed for Artificial Stones
• Sika Top Seal 107 special plaster. This is drinking water-approved and therefore usable in the fish tank without a cover layer. Sika plaster is sold in huge sacks. It might be a
good idea to get together with friends, such as those from an aquarium society, rather than
buying the whole sack alone.
• Earth colour powder dye, with which the plaster can be dyed a required shade. These
are sold in small packages by Uula-tuote in Finland.
• “Aquarium lacquer” NM Klarlack FS 023/80 is imported by Tremco Finland Oy. You
can order this product from your closest paint seller if it?s not on the shelf. It is used to
strengthen the inner surface of the stones but can be replaced with other products, for
example fibreglass, as long as it is not poisonous to the fish!
• NM TIX 150 thickening product. This is used to thicken the lacquer or binding agent, so
that you can get thicker layers with one brush stroke. Use a mask when handling TIX because it is a very light dust.
• White Vaseline. This is used for peeling when taking off the mould.
Casting the “Stone” in the Mould
At this point we?ll start using special products not found in every household.
It?s also important to note that these products are in use in Finland.
To begin casting the stone, clean the mould with lukewarm water to get all
“extra” particles off the surface.
The glue can be washed when it has dried thoroughly. Dry the mould
carefully, then cover the mould with peeling agent.
The agent is made of 6 parts lacquer
petroleum and 4 parts white Vaseline.
Mix the ingredients so that it is a bit
thinner than sour milk. It?s easier to
stroke the agent to the surface if you turn
the mould inside out.
Turn the mould back to the right position
and lay it in the cradle. Take a small
break to enable the lacquer petroleum to
evaporate from the Vaseline.
Cover the mould with peeling agent.