29 gallon build log

[J Teezy]

drain is drilled eggcrate is made, glass top coming in next couple days so almost ready to plant this thing

[DonLisk]

messed around with the brush and some paints and was able to fix the areas. The cracks actually make the rocks look even more realisitic now, but my fear is that this is going to keep cracking. I'm going to leave it alone for a day or so to see what happens to the cracks.

I wanted to reply last night but was to exhausted to think. :-)

I like the cracks since they make it more natural looking, like when plants just sprout up out of nowhere and begin to grow in the tank.
Josh, have to punched some holes into the thicker GS areas to see if any air or gasses have built up and need to be released? Not sure if that would be the reason but its a thought.

[J Teezy]

I wanted to reply last night but was to exhausted to think. :-)

I like the cracks since they make it more natural looking, like when plants just sprout up out of nowhere and begin to grow in the tank.
Josh, have to punched some holes into the thicker GS areas to see if any air or gasses have built up and need to be released? Not sure if that would be the reason but its a thought.

Yeah i punched a few holes but probably not enough. All is good though, it was doctored up with paint and looks fine now. I sealed it all with Shields All and went ahead and smeared some clear silicone over some of the areas that i know will be more wet than others.

I converting an old dresser into the stand so i need to sand it and paint it then i will be ready to move on

[FrogLoving17]

It's looking really good can't wait to see the whole thing done! I got a few questions.
What kind of silicone did you use to put the styrofoam together
Do you have to grout before you paint
Does all silicone dry clear?

[AReaHerps]

Josh.. Is there anything else out there besides Shields All I could use to seal my background? I'm half tempted to do the silicone and sand technique so save the $50 but not sure how it would look. Did you like the all silicone look?

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[J Teezy]

silicone look doesn't bother me because i have a mistking which keeps things wet. The silicone basically makes it look like its wet. Honestly you may not like the look of it at first but after awhile you forget all about it. I can barely see the the background anymore because of plants growing anyway.

[IrishRonin]

I know I'm way late on this but awesome job on the background, since your not using the original one do you plan on putting it in another tank? On your new one are you not doing the stack style? Anyway great job cant wait to see the other one!

[J Teezy]

I know I'm way late on this but awesome job on the background, since your not using the original one do you plan on putting it in another tank? On your new one are you not doing the stack style? Anyway great job cant wait to see the other one!

the original rock wall background has hopes of going into a deeper tank. I may experiment with building my own tank for it not sure yet. The current background is in progress of being siliconed into the tank then i need to do some touch up work on it with some GS, because, well, to make a long story short, due to a mishap i had to cut it in a couple pieces because GS bowed it in. Not sure why but if i had to guess it was because i got anxious and started carving it to soon before it was completely cured and the uncured portions grabbed onto surrounding foam and pulled everything inward bowing the **** out of it all, so the corner section was cut and siliconed in, then the back portion was cut into two pieces. Only the last piece left to silicone in, then some touch up foaming to fill the voids. This new one is way way more slimmer and gives way more floor space.

The rock wall will hopefully be put to use at some point in the future, i spent too much time on it not to use it, though i'd probably sell it if someone offered me the right price =)

[kmichael55]

This is SO impressive, I can't wait to read thoroughly how you made the background when I have the time. I think I've got a new project that will take up all my free time now! So much prettier/interesting than a 2D picture taped to the back!

[morgan]

You've got some great stick-to-itiveness. I am also using foam layers. I start siliconing tomorrow.

[AReaHerps]

That looks cool Morgan. Post some update pics.

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[morgan]

Silicone and coconut fiber pressed in.

[AReaHerps]

That looks really good morgan! Simple and effective.

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[Bruce]

This is a really awesome build! I wish I was creative enough to some up with stuff like this!

[ndame88]

Not trying to hijack the thread, but I also borrowed Josh's stacked foam idea, if you want to see my progress(on hold until the new house is finished in September), see my signature. So far I am happy with the way it turned out, but I will not do it for my next build at least not outside of the enclosure. Its time intensive and in the end, the simpler builds look just as good when planted and hard scape is added. Looks good so far Morgan, good luck.

[J Teezy]

this project got put aside for a long time since I was waiting on the 24" cube tank which will be my main show tank now. Being bored I decided to resurrect this 29 gallon from the dead. I will most likely be selling it once the background is finished. The majority of the cocofiber is on just finished it a few minutes ago. Will have to do some touch up work once its on dry and cured but here it is for now. Its laying on its back for now to let the silicone and cocofiber adhere. I'll get better ones when its dry. One thing i can say is that having to do silicone and cocofiber in tank that doesn't have front opening doors is a pain the $#@. If I ever did this again on a top opening tank i would do the cocofiber on the background with it outside the tank then silicone it in once it was done.

[ndame88]

I agree what a pain, especially towards the bottom, you can't see what you are doing.

[J Teezy]

exactly. I have a cave on the bottom corner and that was a pain in the butt. Had to goop the silicone on my fingers and just rub it around inside it the best i could. never again!!! will i do cocofiber on a top opening tank with it in the tank already.

[J Teezy]

Cheapest non sanded grout they had at home depot. Didnt add any paintto rhe grout that was its color. Used non toxic acrylic paint. Used a couple different painting techniques. First whole thing black. Then sponge painted on dark grey then dry brushed a light grey

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[J Teezy]

Let me add if i was ever going to do a build like this again, i would use foam coat from hotwirefoamfactory.com instead of grout.