My DIY Background Project

[Blakearooskey]

OK! I have officially contracted MTS! Thanks y'all. :p: Anyway, here is my new tank with the background I am attempting. This is only a 30 gallon, but I want to make sure this fish thing is more of a hobby than a fad. Hopefully not the latter! I plan on putting cichlids in this tank. Any ideas/suggestions are welcome. Thanks

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k49/blakearooskey/100_2483.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k49/blakearooskey/100_2487.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k49/blakearooskey/100_2489.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k49/blakearooskey/100_2492.jpg

Any hope for me?:confuzeld:

[tsunderl]

There's no hope for MTS.

The background looks good. What's it made of?

[Blakearooskey]

Its styrofoam that I will cover in either cement or quikwall that I read about. I will put the sand in the bottom of the tank for substrate, but Im not sure what to do for the gap where the filoter pipe goes. Maybe some thinner styro? I carved it out using my dremel and a grinder attachment. It worked great. Then I used the hair dryer to make it look "rocky". Very simple to do.

[xtc]

good start- good luck!!

You'll have to cure the cement- thinner stro can break- so don't go too thin.

I did a similar project til it all broke- even with cement- it's still pretty flimsy- be careful!! and have fun!

[Blakearooskey]

Thanks for the advice. The styro that I have here now is appx 1" still in the grooves. Im hoping it will all stay together. I read where it is ok to use the GE Silicone I for adhesive. Any suggestions?

[AndrewH]

How about a styro log/branch/root looking thing for the center?

[xtc]

I wanna say Silicone II is what you want- but LOOK and make sure it say's 100% silicone-

That's the next step- first you gotta do the cement and spend a week or so soaking and changing the water to get it balanced.

[AndrewH]

If it's GE brand silicone make sure it does NOT have the "BIO SEAL" oval on it.

(like the one on the left)

http://www.anythingfish.com/Todd%27s%20Cement%202500/36-1501.jpg

[bra8ndy8]

I love that Andrew always proves his points with pictures!!! Do u do that with your wife too Andrew???

[greeneyed]

I thought is was GE Silicone I?
Please let me know, will be resealing a tank soon.

[EAST_TX_RN]

I like it Blake! I like Andrews idea for the center too! I heard that you are only supposed to use Silicone II, but what do I know?

[Blakearooskey]

Thanks for all the replies. I was reading around on other forums and they say I and II are ok just as long as it doesnt have the Bio stuff like Andrew said.

Also the log idea is great, would you make a hollow like log so it surrounds the inlet pipe? And if so would that inhibit the effectiveness of the filter?

Sorry so many questions, I'm just too new to fish!:blahblah:

[Blake]

GE Silicone I = good
GE Silicone II = bad


I thought is was GE Silicone I?
Please let me know, will be resealing a tank soon.

[rolloffhill]

I wanna say Silicone II is what you want- but LOOK and make sure it say's 100% silicone-

That's the next step- first you gotta do the cement and spend a week or so soaking and changing the water to get it balanced.

I thought is was GE Silicone I?
Please let me know, will be resealing a tank soon.


GE Silicone I only!!

[amuntep]

Just make sure you let the chemicals from the mix leech (sp.) out. You should keep it in a container and change out the water regularly for a while to make sure the chemicals frm the slurry have dissapated.

[Blakearooskey]

Ok ladies and gentlemen, I decided to go a different route. I didnt have the patience for the background. Let me know what you think.

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k49/blakearooskey/100_2494.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k49/blakearooskey/100_2495.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k49/blakearooskey/100_2497.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k49/blakearooskey/100_2499.jpg

I filled it tonight and started the filter to clear the water. Hope it will be clear by tomorrow night.

[tsunderl]

I think you have the same amount of patience as I do. lol Cool rock placement. Throw a few plants in there and it will look great!

[Blakearooskey]

I can promise you that my patience is awful. I want to put fishies in TONIGHT! How long before this cloudy thing becomes a beautifully clear tank?!?!:rolleyes1: Thanks for the complement on the rocks, that was actually my wife's job!

[arnold]

what kind of sand? i have had bad luck with the HD play sand. it builds up toxins underneath, unless you stir it regular. when i did a wc it stirred up the bottom and all the fish died by morning, i had to do this twice before i stopped using it. i found lows quickcrete or sackcrete (sp) cant remember which its called, is not as fine and worked better for me, i also tossed in just a tad of pea gravel.
good luck

oh, the lows stuff is easier to wash, i rinsed it 4 or 5 times and it didn't cloud near as much. it looks like you did what i did, didn't wash and put it in, i have one tank of play sand from hd i washed well, although it took a while to wash that tank hasn't caused any problems.
change out or wash off your media a lot and the tank will clear faster.

[AndrewH]

I love that Andrew always proves his points with pictures!!! Do u do that with your wife too Andrew???

:blahblah:

I thought it'd help folks see that silicone II is the bad stuff with the Bio-Seal in it plus it's a visual reference for what the oval looks like in case someone didn't know. :brandy:

In general, my wife gets to "see the real thing". No pictures required :eek:

[AndrewH]

I thought is was GE Silicone I?
Please let me know, will be resealing a tank soon.

I have a tube of the stuff Adam used to build my tank. When I get home tonight I'll post up the information for it. He said he's build lots of tanks and prefers this stuff to any other he's tried (including GE).

[bra8ndy8]

looks good minus the mirk!

[ElijahTurtle]

|I used Lexan 100% silicone when I did the dividers on the betta condo. Worked really good, but is isn't very clear.

[xtc]

What's up with the black tape?

Do we need to have a "proper cycling" before adding fish conversation?...

I can promise you that my patience is awful. I want to put fishies in TONIGHT! How long before this cloudy thing becomes a beautifully clear tank?!?!:rolleyes1: Thanks for the complement on the rocks, that was actually my wife's job!

[bra8ndy8]

Hey I just noticed the black duct tape.....yeah what is that?!?

[AndrewH]

CRL (www.crlaurance.com) "Clear Aquarium Silicone Sealant" Cat. No. 99AS.

Is what Adam used on my tank (and he highly recommends it).

[ElijahTurtle]

CRL (www.crlaurance.com (http://www.crlaurance.com)) "Clear Aquarium Silicone Sealant" Cat. No. 99AS.

Is what Adam used on my tank (and he highly recommends it).
It doesn't look like you can buy direct from them without a business number

[Blakearooskey]

What's up with the black tape?

Do we need to have a "proper cycling" before adding fish conversation?...


Yeah, there is my patience getting me again. The black tape was on there when I got the tank. I tried to remove it and it left this icky goo crap all over the glass. I said screw it and left it there. I think they might have had it on there so the water level could get lower and not be able to tell.:confuzeld:

I guess I need the talk also XTC!:sorrysign: I found me some cichlid fry on CL today for a buck a piece! They are cute little guys and girls.

[AndrewH]

It doesn't look like you can buy direct from them without a business number

Here's (http://www.technologylk.com/product_view.aspx?&source_ID=nextag&product_ID=7819) a place where you can buy it by the caulk gun tube.