my diy background

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
joey020283;1164867; said:
i actually noticed that others had to water changes for up to 2 months! the cement i used was a different from what others generally use. i noticed that most would use the 40lb bags of cement that are for general use, while i used a 10lb bucket of hydrolic comercial grade cement that is used for patch work, like for patching swimming pools, and water fountains. its says that its water proof, which to me suggested that it wouldnt dissolve slowly and effect the water. maybe this type of cement is the key to making a diy background. when i first filled the tank around 24-36 hrs the ph was very high around 6 hrs after filling. so i drained it and let it dry out completly until the next day. i then filled and drined it 2 more times adding aquarium salt to it each time. the ph was back to normal in 2 days. i added the wood and fish back in and they are all still doing great! i think the trick to getting it to cure was waiting 48 hrs befor it touched the water, although mine was filled after one day i curing. 48hrs with the cement i used, seemed to do the trick. aquarium salt also helps i hear,thats why i had added it.
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I kinda thought of the same thing, using water sealing cement rather than the quick crete will make it cure faster. Mine was air dried for 2 weeks before I tried it with water, funny thing is I don't have aPH tester to try how the PH is when there was water in it, and too lazy to go to a pet store for a free test. Its drained now and with epoxy on top of the cement. Will be trying it with water again next week and I'll be testing the water first before putting fish. Thanks!!
 
Heres a new updated pic, i added a few plants as some people sugested adding them. do the plants look too "fake"?

2lsjvpl.jpg

v4c7qt.jpg

2irfco.jpg
 
Background looks good. Plants do look fake. Maybe bunch them together or go with a different style. Also try different sizes of the same plant.
 
Awesome job!

Thank you for the motivation & information. I'm going to be doing up a 30gl. with part land for newts. (for my son). I'm shooting for something like the "Waters Edge BIO-Habitat". I'll get lots of pics as I go as well.
I'm going to try to hide the filter tubes, etc behind it.
I got the tank today, a local pick up from Craigslist. A 30gl awesome condition with hood & light for $45. Can't beat that!
I'll be going to the store for the rest of the stuff very soon.

Thanks again.
Joel
 
could i do this on a realy large scale like 1500-2000gallons you idea looks like the best for a 3D backround so far.
 
JoelR;1187259; said:
Awesome job!

Thank you for the motivation & information. I'm going to be doing up a 30gl. with part land for newts. (for my son). I'm shooting for something like the "Waters Edge BIO-Habitat". I'll get lots of pics as I go as well.
I'm going to try to hide the filter tubes, etc behind it.
I got the tank today, a local pick up from Craigslist. A 30gl awesome condition with hood & light for $45. Can't beat that!
I'll be going to the store for the rest of the stuff very soon.

Thanks again.
Joel
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Not to brag but I did beat that ... 50 gallon for $20!!!!!!!!!:naughty: Craigslist ROCKS!!:headbang2

Love this background... I'm thinking of trying something like that but I may try to incorporate some type of tunnel:headbang2, need to think it through some more though ... Thanks for the info on how you did it!
 
Joey, I've got just about everything but the Styrofoam and the filter that I need to build it around. One question or concern though. I'm thinking that the silicone used to glue the pieces together will interfere with the shaping? Did it make it difficult? See any way around it other than starting with a huge chunk of Styrofoam and carving the whole thing out?

Thanks.
Joel
 
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