29 gallon build log

[greene]

Looks great! Are those black things for plants?

[J Teezy]

yes they are 2" net pots

[J Teezy]

did some work today on the background. I decided that my drain holes with the straws in them were too small to allow me to get some grout over the foam in there so i took the straws out and will leave them out. I took a grinding stone attachment and put it on a drill and bored out the holes alot bigger for adequate drainage from the pots and to allow me to coat the foam with grout. Also took the grinding stone to the pot areas and made them slightly bigger to allow a couple layers of grout in there and then for the pots to be able to still fit. Using pots would allow easy removal of the plants, but i may not use the pots and just plant directly in the spots, i'll decide when it comes time for that.

put a layer of grout on today to the front top bottom and sides. Tomorrow i'll do the back and give the front another day to cure up good and then start the 2nd coat on the front thursday. I had to make the first layer pretty runny to allow me to get into all the cracks and crevices. 2nd coat will be runny as well to get into the cracks again. I found it easier to just pour the grout in the hard to reach spots with a spoon and then dab it around with my brush instead of trying to get in there first with just a brush. The pics are of the background laying on its back drying so it looks a little different than what you'll see when its in the tank but you can at least see how the grout applied.

[J Teezy]

with about 4 layers of grout i think i'm done grouting. Waiting on my Shields All to arrive so i can seal the grout then paint it and seal it again.

[J Teezy]

stood it up to get some better pics











the 2 leucs that are going into this are going to love climbing this thing. I swear they think they are tree frogs

Here's a video that shows the caves a little better and my drainage for the pots

[Shibumi]

Really nice work. I like the simplicity of the drainage compared to straws. Plus those holes will never clog. I would use the net pots though. it's better to be able to move your plants around to suit them.

[J Teezy]

yeah, i'll be using the net potters

[purpleturtle89]

Hey, what type of grout do you use? Do you add paint to it to get it that grey colour, and what paints should I use, you've inspired me and I don't wanna kill my frogs lol thanks