My 1st aquarium background

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
N

Nick_c

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Dec 21, 2010
8
0
0
North London
Hi everyone,

im after some advise please :)

ive made a background, its my first attempt and it seems to be going good. see pics..



Uploaded with ImageShack.us



Uploaded with ImageShack.us



Uploaded with ImageShack.us



The question is, what process did you use to apply cement, and what type of cement?
The V8 pond sealer im guessing this will work fine because it says

"seals concrete and rockwork"

and it is safe to use on pond.. so aquarium should be fine?


My process was gonna be..

i was thinking i should let the cement dry after ive done the 3 layers onto the background, then leave it in the garden for a week so all the ph and chemicals can come out, then let it dry, then apply the pond sealent coats.

I think the cement i have might be unsuitable. i can always swap it at BNQ.

Any help would be appreciated,

Thanks

Nick.
 
sorry about the large font, i posted it on another forum, but no replys as yet, plus this forum seems alot more active & knowledgable :D

i cannot edit post either.
 
on my background I did 3 layers of concrete then 3 layers of Drylock (cement sealer) then I colored the background to my pleasing. I have a thread in the SA/CA cichlid area if you want to look at my background.
 
Hey wow I have a 20 gallon tank I'm thinking of having a go at it , yours is the best 1 I've seen so far , check out some YouTube video it might help they show step by step . Hope that helps
 
hi, thanks for the quick replys!

blksubykid - I cant find your post abouut your background :( what type of cement did you use?

maknobi86 - Thanks man, it isnt even finished yet! it was so easy to do, but messy.
ive seen vids on youtube but none of them really state what cement they use.

the main thing im worried about is if the V8 pondseal degrades over time, then my water is in contact with cement and it wipes them out due to leeching chemicals and whatever.

does cement leech chemicals? or just raise the PH? theats the real question really.
 
thats* spelling error

yeh i will upload as i go. the more people read this stuff the less money fish shops get..

£150 for a premade one.. lol no way.
 
I heard it raise the ph level where you would have to change the water at least 8 times I personal would use a hose pipe and wash for and hour or soak it in a bath. But I'm not sure what cement they use but the v8 pond sealer sounds ok as it's for ponds
 
i will defintly use the hose and soak method.

i saw that vid with the guy filling and emptying his tank 8 times... i wouldnt do this because its time consuming, and im sure it would weaken the silicone...

well what im gonna do is.. take my cement back to BNQ, see if they have better suited cement. im goning to try to get "quickcrete" i think this is what most people use. it might be a US brand, if i cant find it.. bnq should have an alternitive.
 
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