70NKY Posted June 14, 2013 Report Share Posted June 14, 2013 Evening... I've had this idea for a few weeks now about building my own 3D background for my 4ft tank. There are plenty of build threads online and I've read quite a few and decided to give it a crack. I started off with the back piece which is leftovers from a cabinet from Super Amart... Then I stuck a few of the ledge pieces on and almost gave it away. This arvo I raided an Amart All Sports bin and grabbed some more Styrofoam pieces. A couple of rums while watching football tonight and I've ended up with this... I've bought a tin of expanding foam which I'm cautiously going to use to fill in bits and pieces and in the gaps so the spaces aren't so obvious. The plan will be to concrete and then paint, then do some serious sealing. I've read that the concrete changes the Ph of water but I'm not sure which direction it goes, so I need to research that. I'm not sure which way it will go yet, whether it ends up in my tank, someone else's or the bin. More photos will come... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PETFISH Posted June 14, 2013 Report Share Posted June 14, 2013 i was told concrete will raise ph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
70NKY Posted June 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2013 (edited) Well if it does, that's a good thing for me... Depending on how high it goes! I just did some quick research. Concrete is initially about 12.5 - 13, by after a reaction with air, it reduces to about 8.5... I have seen limestone rocks in cichlid tanks before which is the primary ingredient in cement right? Edited June 14, 2013 by 70NKY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
70NKY Posted June 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2013 So here's where I'm at. Forgot to get the tube/nozzle from bunnings so I can't use the expanding foam yet. I'm heading there tomorrow to get concrete and a nozzle. Should have first coat of concrete on tomorrow night... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ash Posted June 15, 2013 Report Share Posted June 15, 2013 When your done, seal it with pondtite clear. Bondall - PondTite Clear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
70NKY Posted June 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2013 Another picture, this time the first coat of concrete is on. I wasn't going to paint it, but I think I might going off the colour it is... I also cut it in half so it will fit into the tank once done. Any comments? Do you think it will still want to float once all the concrete is on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
