jc360 Posted June 22, 2009 Report Share Posted June 22, 2009 i read in a tread once it takes like 3 weeks to be sure using your methods, but keep it up you've done a fantastic job. Very inspiring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted June 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2009 no its just straight concrete, i didn't want an unnatural look by covering it and making the surface of it shinny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted June 22, 2009 Report Share Posted June 22, 2009 I think you will find the concrete will always leach and raise the pH without some sort of sealant. You will also have to make sure the sealant gets into all the spaces and no bit of concrete is left exposed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted June 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2009 ok so polyester resin coated in sand to reduce the shinny finish...? Would this be fish safe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted June 23, 2009 Report Share Posted June 23, 2009 you could go down the matte effect route. sorry i am unsure on what product would be right or safe to use. all i know is there are different finishes for lacquers, polishes etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted June 23, 2009 Report Share Posted June 23, 2009 There is stuff you can get that is used to coat the inside of concrete drinking water tanks. Don't know the name of the product though sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted June 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2009 I will have to ask around and do some research on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwipete Posted June 23, 2009 Report Share Posted June 23, 2009 I would have thought with the thin coating you applied, it wouldn't take too long for it to stop leaching, ie a couple of weeks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted June 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2009 thats what i thought too but im so incredibly impatient its not funny. Has anyone else done just a thin coat of concrete and had it stop leaching after a few weeks? If everyone that has made a background like this could let me know how long it took them that would be very helpful. thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwipete Posted June 23, 2009 Report Share Posted June 23, 2009 Maybe its time to plant out the tank, and leave it a month, changing the water every other day????? At least if it does stop leaching the fishes will have some settled plants in there too. I dunno, just my wandering thoughts. :-? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted June 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2009 Ok ive got the tank empty and drying, im going to do another thick coat of concrete as i can see some bits ive missed and they are annoying me even tho im the only one that can see them and know they are there Then im gona do a resin coat so seal it. should hopefully be done by the end of the week. fingers crossed :-? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted June 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2009 ok ive done 2 more coats of concrete, really solid now, and a coat of resin with a light coat of sand to avoid the glossy finish. ive also attempted to make some rocks the same way as the background but i don't think they look so good. So ive been driving around everywhere, rivers, creeks, beaches, finding loads of rocks. but after going through the 20-30 rocks back at home, only 4 of them work :-? So im going to need to go for another look to find more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreadbunny Posted June 29, 2009 Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 This is probably a little too late to help :roll: but I did 3 thin coats of concrete on my background, I didn't seal it and the water in my tank is a constant 8. I did soak it in the bath tub for a few days though after it had finished curing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted June 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 This is probably a little too late to help :roll: but I did 3 thin coats of concrete on my background, I didn't seal it and the water in my tank is a constant 8. I did soak it in the bath tub for a few days though after it had finished curing. Yes ive heard that a lot of people have done that but my tank is 400ltrs and has a larger surface area of concrete and will take a long time for the pH to go down. smaller tanks don't take very long And mine probably wouldnt fit in the bath :lol: How big was your tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted July 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2009 Its finally had fish in it for 24hrs now and they are loving it. :bounce: :bounce: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melrick1 Posted July 9, 2009 Report Share Posted July 9, 2009 It looks realy good, been watching you do this from the start and it even inspired me on having a go. Made alot of mess but its looking ok. Done the 1st layer of concreet but it will def need another layer on it. Not as good as yours but i am hopeful haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted July 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2009 It looks realy good, been watching you do this from the start and it even inspired me on having a go. Made alot of mess but its looking ok. Done the 1st layer of concreet but it will def need another layer on it. Not as good as yours but i am hopeful haha Post up some pics so we can have a look I ended up putin resin on it and then sand before it dries. I liked it before the resin but it didnt turn out too bad. You'll be surprised how good they end up looking when they are done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted July 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2009 Yes ive read about that but mine don't seem to be rough at all. They keep to themselves and the smaller yellows chase them away most of the time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel Posted July 9, 2009 Report Share Posted July 9, 2009 looks great, you've done an excellent job and the fish looks so happy and healthy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted July 9, 2009 Report Share Posted July 9, 2009 That..... is AWESOME!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VinsonMassif Posted July 9, 2009 Report Share Posted July 9, 2009 Wow, You totally pulled off an awesome background! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted July 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2009 Ive written an article on how i did everything and given it to Caryl. If its good enough it could hopefully be in her next magazine issue or in the article section of FNZAS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted July 17, 2009 Report Share Posted July 17, 2009 It will be in the November issue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted July 17, 2009 Report Share Posted July 17, 2009 wet day, lots of polystyrene, inspiration from si=sphinx so started this one cut, glued, sanded and coated with cemex so far still to make 2 rocks for the overhangs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
si_sphinx Posted July 17, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2009 That looks great Whats it going in? Makes me want to make another one now. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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