New DYI Background

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
3

305phins

Candiru
MFK Member
Aug 25, 2010
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Im planing to do something similar to this http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=368364

I just have a few questions.

1. What do i use to color tint the cement?
2. How long do i soak the cement so i can put it in my tank with umbee?
3. After soaking will it ever mess with my ph again or is it like neutral after the soaking with water changes.
4. Last but not least will this kill my fish!! LOL i do know want this thing to leak some chemicals or throw my ph and my fish to die!

HELP ME OUT DIY MFKRS :)
 
Hi there...that was actually my build from a few months ago.

I used Quickcrete liquid cement color to tint the cement. I picked it up at a local hardware store and got black, brown and red.

I ended up letting it soak for about a month, doing water changes every 3 - 4 days. I could have most likely pulled it out sooner, but I was still building my stand and wasn't ready for it in any hurry. :)

Mine has been in my tank for about 5 months now...ph level has remained rock solid.

I think as long as you soak it long enough, it shouldn't affect your fish. Mine have been fine since putting it in.

I was a bit leary to start, but once I got going I really had fun doing it, and I'm really happy with the results!

Cheers!
 
Just the man i wanted to talk to :) , didnt know you check your MFK a lot so i just posted a new thread. How did you anchor it down in the tank, silicon or is it heavy enough when you put the cement for it just to sit there. One more thing do you think i could use a 1" board i think you used a 2" right? i really just want a nice background i dont want to take up too much space my 150 is 72x18x27 only being 18"W i dont want to take up to much space
 
I check in every once and awhile to see what's new...just happened to check in last night :)

It's amazing how buoyant that foam is, even with tonnes of cement on top! I had to anchor it in with silicone (I used the GE Silicone I). Seems to be holding on nice, once that was in place.

I did end up using the 2" foam because I wanted to try and create some depth when carving between the rocks. I also wanted to try and hide the intakes for my filters behind the wall. I would imagine that 1" would work just as well. I found a drywall saw and wire brush worked wonders at shaping the foam, but it sure does make a mess!!

Anyways, good luck with the project...let me know if you have any other questions.
 
Yea u have both a 1" and 2" ill probably do both and see which one i end up likin more. Yea it does male a crazzzyyyy mess lol. How long did you soak the back ground before putting it in the tank ?
 
I wasn't in a huge rush to install it since I was building a stand at the same time. It therefore ended up soaking in our spare bathtub for close to a month! My wife wasn't too pleased at that, but that tub rarely gets used and I made sure to give it a thorough cleaning when I was done. :)

I changed the water every 3 - 4 days and weighed the foam down with some rocks.
 
One of those circular wire brushes that go in a drill worked wonders for me. Took hours off the project.

I'll be putting up my build in a few days. Just got the pieces siliconed in.

I'd recommend checking out Sika Top Seal 107 instead of quickcrete. It's safe for potable drinking water, so it'll be safer for fish, and you won't have to soak it so long.
 
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