phoenix44 Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 you will never know until you try. i say give it a go and learn something valuable along the way. the background looks great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 I think it would be wrong to have put all that effort into it and have it looking so good and not stick it in your tank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted June 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 ok ive been thinking. What if i put an air stone in the back where the heaters go and it will create a flow past the heaters...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon1990 Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 ok ive been thinking. What if i put an air stone in the back where the heaters go and it will create a flow past the heaters...? Or a small powerhead? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 is this tank a 3footer? hmm. what sort of cannister filter do you have? your airstone idea will work. if your filter creates good flow just shove a heater where you plan, and though it may not be as efficient as normal - with the airstone and the filter turning over the tank volume many times an hour your tank would be uniformly heated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VinsonMassif Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 Also you could put one heater under the flow of the spray bar. This works for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted June 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 ive done a test on the concrete texture. looks good Its a 4ft tank. 400ltrs and ive just found a small power head that will fit in there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilli Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 looks so cool :bounce: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VinsonMassif Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 That concrete texture looks very natural. The whole background will be wicked finished like that!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted June 15, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2009 It will be darker though because i have black oxide to mix with it. and it looks even more like rock being darker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted June 15, 2009 Report Share Posted June 15, 2009 I think it would look awesome in my tank :lol: No but seriously. I cant wait to see your creation in a tank up and running. Don't worry much about the algae. GAE's are awesome at cleaning algae and a soft toothbrush can be used to remove the stubborn stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreadbunny Posted June 15, 2009 Report Share Posted June 15, 2009 Thats going to look great when its all done :bounce: My poly/concrete background has recesses cut out for the intakes but the heater I put on the end side off my tank. The spray bar shoots down onto it to get some more flow past it. You might want to try a final light coat of plain concrete (without oxide) to give it some definition and contrast. I just brushed it lightly over the high points. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted June 15, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2009 Thats going to look great when its all done :bounce: My poly/concrete background has recesses cut out for the intakes but the heater I put on the end side off my tank. The spray bar shoots down onto it to get some more flow past it. You might want to try a final light coat of plain concrete (without oxide) to give it some definition and contrast. I just brushed it lightly over the high points. 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted June 15, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romeo Posted June 15, 2009 Report Share Posted June 15, 2009 In my experience you can quite easily scrape silicone off with a razor blade and leave a perfect finish if you're careful. So don't let that stand in your way of sealing it in. Also, I wouldn't rely on the bracing to hold it in, as you may get 20-40kg of upward buoyancy from the poly, I know Spoon had heaps of trouble sealing his in because it was so incredibly buoyant. Might pay to do it once, and do it properly, go overboard with the silicone. edit: PS, I love your work, it's incredible! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilli Posted June 15, 2009 Report Share Posted June 15, 2009 yeh thats really turning out great :bounce: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted June 16, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2009 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Posted June 16, 2009 Report Share Posted June 16, 2009 That looks awesome. I'm jealous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted June 16, 2009 Report Share Posted June 16, 2009 Well done, looks great, very talented person you are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilli Posted June 16, 2009 Report Share Posted June 16, 2009 :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted June 16, 2009 Report Share Posted June 16, 2009 wow it looks fantastic! Its a pity you are sooooooo far away or I could have convinced you to make me a few. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted June 16, 2009 Report Share Posted June 16, 2009 Excellent! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paekakboyz Posted June 16, 2009 Report Share Posted June 16, 2009 I'd been thinking of giving one of these a go. Was really keen to try and create some pockets midway up the wall to create a kind of hanging garden - not sure what I'd plant in them though. Could also make attachments for a easy installation of a moss wall or aniubus or java fern. I did wonder what the impact would be in terms of lighting though - having plants (esp those that are low light) that much higher up might pose some problems... Can't wait to see that background up and running. Looks really good!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted June 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted June 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 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: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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