si_sphinx

ok so polyester resin coated in sand to reduce the shinny finish...? Would this be fish safe?

no its just straight concrete, i didn't want an unnatural look by covering it and making the surface of it shinny.

i change the water every day. in less than 24 hours the pH goes off the scale. my test kit reads max 9.0pH because the concrete leaches chemicals and raises the pH so im thinking/hoping there is something that i could possibly scrub onto it and clean it with to remove the chemicals.

Does anyone know a quicker way to clean the concrete to prevent high pH in the water? Is there something i can add to the water to clean the rockwork? Because this is taking soooo long and im too impatient

This is what im hoping to put it the tank when its ready. I have 9x 2-3cm bubba pembas that would love it

took a while but did em all

Mine has holes in the side instead of the bottom and the water come out forwards in an arc and aerates the water at the same time. works really well. Just keep drilling holes until you get the right amount or flow, Thats what i would do

Very Nice

Tank is still very murky especially from all they water changes ive been doing. Ive done 1 a day since Wednesday. I got the gravel from Southland sand and gravel $15 for 20kg bag but i managed to get it for $5 (because I'm good) :lol: actually it was old stock so they gave it to me cheap shhhhhhhhh But it cleaned up like new anyway Its the only place that had the sand but i found the gravel instead. it looks so much better. as soon as i can get a decent pic i will

ive got some white gravel, 1-2mm sized. Its called wiatora.

Yes thats what im looking for

Ive filled it with water now, :bounce: will add pic either tonight or tomorrow. I'm happy the concrete didn't stay as dark as it was when i put it on. it dried as light as concrete without oxide but when wet its darker than non oxide concrete :-? although it will look better when it has some white substrate if i can get some from somewhere, sand hopefully. I'm going to do 100% water changes every day for a week or how ever long it takes until water is fish safe. i haven't yet tested the water but will also do that tonight. 8)

i was wondering when this was going to start, I post a pic when i get fish in mine

OK don't worry people. You can stop looking. I found it Was asleep in my bed :roll: no wonder it wouldn't answer me when i called it :lol:

I can't find it anywhere I never lose it but as soon as i have money in it... you no what happens... :roll: ...IT DISAPPEARS! ! !

its drying out nicely now. im so bad at taking photos :oops:

ohh who do i give it to? :-?

Ive also finished writing instructions on how to make a background like mine with pics, 13-15 pages in MS word But I've still gotta add what i will do and what happens after water, plants & fish are added, water cond. etc. Its really quite descriptive. If any one wants a draft copy to proof read for me and make any comments or changes that may be needed that would be awesome...? (im not the best of writers) :oops:

Having pocket that could hold a little substrate would be good. I thought about this too but i decided on attaching java fern to the wall further up closer to the lights. And dwarf sag will possibly be on the bottom if it can grow + val a better pic

Ive finally just finished the final coat What do you think.... ? Now i just have to give it a few days for the concrete and silicone to fully cure and ill be able to fill it up yaaaay

A test fit to see if they look ok. ive got a few joints to fill in with some thick concrete and then i can do final coat. Anyone know how i can hold these in the tank without permanently sealing them in.i want to be able to pull it out in the future if i have too. it jambs under the bracing but not sure if it will stay there.

Yea i was thinking that or just putting the darker concrete in the deeper spots. there is so many different ways ya can go when making these.