Rockwall Paludarium Build Log. Pic Heavy

[xeonic]

First off I wanted to compliment you on your work. Very well done. I have one question though. Is the quikrete and titebond III going to release toxins into your water?

[DiggenEm]

First off I wanted to compliment you on your work. Very well done. I have one question though. Is the quikrete and titebond III going to release toxins into your water?

Thanks for the compliment. To answer the question no, once properly cured they both are safe. Quikrete has to repeated soaked and rinsed for a few weeks to neutralize its ph. This process can be expedited using vinegar or a mild acid. Some zoo exhibits and aquarium keepers actually use cement based products for their enclosures. The Titebond once dry is FDA approved for indirect food contact once cured, it just have to dry throughly which takes a couple of weeks. Ive used Titebond II which is weather proof not water proof, and I never had any problems with it breaking down or leeching so I figure Titebond III will hold up even better since there is a portion of it that would be submerged.

[xeonic]

Very Nice, I have been researching different methods of building backgrounds. I have used the spay foam method already on a large tank which worked alright, kept the tank nice a lite. I didn't like the idea of the clay method as it never fully dries, and isn't good for ponds. Have you finished your Vivarium? Could you upload some pictures for all to admire?

[DiggenEm]

Very Nice, I have been researching different methods of building backgrounds. I have used the spay foam method already on a large tank which worked alright, kept the tank nice a lite. I didn't like the idea of the clay method as it never fully dries, and isn't good for ponds. Have you finished your Vivarium? Could you upload some pictures for all to admire?

No I wish I was finished. Ive been uploading as I go. I lost my job a few months back so I had to take this build relatively slow. I think its for the better though because I get to brainstorm a lot before I commit. I actually landed a temp gig that I start today so hopefully that will give me some extra cash to get this thing done. I dont plan on getting any major fauna until the spring but I want it planted and up and running by Dec.

As far as builds go I have used the peat and silicone method, and the titebond method but working with cement is by far my favorite. It's fairly inexpensive and you really can add that extra dimension that you cant achieve with GS.

[Badger]

Awesome tanks, looks amazing so far. keep us posted. Economy sucks, everyone is losing their jobs.

[optimum]

any updates ?

[DiggenEm]

any updates ?

Actually yes there is. I was trying to wait until I had more done but here goes.
Ok so after the last update I ran into two problems but one ended up being a blessing. The silicone used to hide the GS on the glass didn't cure fully in some spots and the titebond peat mix never hardened after a week, so I had to tear it out and start over. This time I didn't spray the GS all the way to glass to avoid using silicone altogether. Also another mistake was I saturated the peat mix with water before adding the titebond to stretch it. This time I used the peat dry and mixed in the glue real thick to get the first layer to be real thick and hard. It still took about a week to dry but it was really solid. For the spots that I missed I used the same technique only with Gorrila Glue because it was cheaper and I wanted to try it. What I found with the Gorrilla Glue is that it is way more sticky than the Titebond so it made the next step a lot easier. After I got of the bare spots covered real good I just smashed the peat mix on top of the wet glue in some areas to give it some different textures. I also did the same thing to make fake vine to make it look better than rubber coating a wire. Maybe I can at least get some algae or moss to grow on it. I think it came out pretty good. I also found that Gorrilla Glue cures in less time than Titebond for those interested in using wood glues for their set-ups.
Here go the pics.
Attachment 20027


I hope to order my bulkheads this week so I can test the water fall and see if the "rocks" are fully cured.