On top of building this stand im trying to do the cave cut out. Anyways what type of latex cement do i have to use. From home depot! so in other words i need it in terms i can use. Is it a mortar cement or tile grout. For color what do i add, is it oil. And can i use gorilla glue or no. I really need help with the caves. Thanks guys and i'll have pics up tomorrow!
Making Caves
- Thread starter GooDyboy420
- Start date
Are we talking for styrofoam style caves, or rocks glued together?
Side note, gorilla glue is way over rated. After around 1.5 years the polyurethane weakens and becomes fragile. To the point that a slight nudge will break the glue.
Side note, gorilla glue is way over rated. After around 1.5 years the polyurethane weakens and becomes fragile. To the point that a slight nudge will break the glue.
I would probably just use the styrofoam to make a mold to poor the mortar into and then let that set, and seal it with polyurethane.
You dont have to seal the mortar. I've used quickrete mortar mix over styrofoam. Once dried you need to cure it underwater for several days to weeks depending how much concrete you have. Not because theres anything toxic but because the fresh concrete will raise the PH in tank until the alkalines are leached out. Some have used vinegar or water softner salt to speed up curing time in tank. Do 100% water changes on tank everyt couple days while testing PH. When PH stabilizes the curing is done. Also note this process is done without fish in tank. Also use pump or powerhead to circulate water.
The only reason to seal it is that mortar will break down over longer exposed amounts of time in water.
Are you sure about that statement WyldFya?
I heard a rumour that concrete cures stronger underwater.
Sorry to question your statement, but I tried to remove my DIY styro/concrete background from my 60G and to my (and probably your) surprise a chisel and hammer barely made an impression on the background. This is after it was submerged for a year. I ended up just patching up the areas (they were small areas) I did manage to remove, because I realized that BG ain't coming out.
So GooDyboy420 here is some advice. Don't be conservative when making your background. Go ape. Be as creative as you can. Make cave, overhangs, places you might plant a plant. Really let your creative juices flow. If you plan on running an UnderGravelJet system, remember that you can hide the line that feeds to the UGJ behind/within the BG. When you're done with the styro shape step. Take a step back to look at it. If you feel there is a dull area, do something about it now! Make a cave, a ledge, a hole; whatever! but be sure you're happy with it before starting to cover it with cement.
I heard a rumour that concrete cures stronger underwater.
Sorry to question your statement, but I tried to remove my DIY styro/concrete background from my 60G and to my (and probably your) surprise a chisel and hammer barely made an impression on the background. This is after it was submerged for a year. I ended up just patching up the areas (they were small areas) I did manage to remove, because I realized that BG ain't coming out.
So GooDyboy420 here is some advice. Don't be conservative when making your background. Go ape. Be as creative as you can. Make cave, overhangs, places you might plant a plant. Really let your creative juices flow. If you plan on running an UnderGravelJet system, remember that you can hide the line that feeds to the UGJ behind/within the BG. When you're done with the styro shape step. Take a step back to look at it. If you feel there is a dull area, do something about it now! Make a cave, a ledge, a hole; whatever! but be sure you're happy with it before starting to cover it with cement.
100% certain. The only way it becomes stronger is if it sets, gets wet, and then is allowed to dry again. While wet it will be very fragile though. I made a mortar background before, and after about a year decided it had to go, and when I went to pick it up pieces just started falling off. I know it cured fully due to the fact I left it to cure for a month before draining my tank to put it in. Secret of breaking concrete or patio blocks, is to have them wet. Many martial artists do this for demonstrations to make it look easier.