1000+ questions :)

[Lija]

Remember me?
feel free anytime to point whatever im not doing right!

Progress report:

Supports are cut, draining holes in them done too.

1 step


2 step


Will silicone everything in, so it wont go all over the place and may be do spray foam today too if time permits, gotta wait until wood is boiled and dry.... So probably will play with it tomorrow.

Oh and got a nice surprise when got home, almost all plants that i got earlier, dead or close to it. My older daughter who was supposed to look after everything while we're away was really trying not to forget to water them, so very much overdid it anyhow, repotted live ones, hope something will survive, if not shopping time!


Ok back to unpacking

[DigitalPunk]

Bummer about the plants

Tank is looking good. I like the layout of the base!

[Lija]

Put together waterfall thing, now waiting to it to dry so i can lay tank on a back to carry on with background.



Also tested my pump, works good.

My DH gift sucked ( pic below), i used some, but it is not spraying anymore, it couldnt dry out in between application, i put it down literally for a few minutes.
Advise?

[Lija]

Right just realized i should have put screen mesh before the foam..... Will need to get creative and silicone it in, or i will leave it be, since i screw it up anyway, the goal is for it to be there, right? And sooner or later doesn't really matter

[DigitalPunk]

Meh adding the screen later is what I always do. It is a pain, but easier than fighting with the screen through all the foaming.

Get a tooth pick or something and dig at the nozzle of the spray foam to get the plug out that formed and then you are good to go

Looks good so far! So exciting!

[Lija]

Thanks Paul!

what kind of wood are exo terra branches? Im digging through supplies i have and i like one of those, dont want to risk black mold though.

Oh and i have one nice java wood branch - yes or no in a tank? Im thinking i will also do cord+moss+ smth else vine(s) to fill out the space, saw one of Lynn creations, got inspired, thank you Lynn!

The hardest part of building the tank is waiting.... Rrrrrrrrrrr...... But i hope plum wine is a solution! And shopping!

[DigitalPunk]

I think the exo terra branches are Mopani or something they are terrarium safe, but a picture will help me ID it. Java wood is not good in humid tanks, that one will breakdown fast and could develop some nasty mold.

Yeah I love that fine Lynn made. I have a design done for my next tank and am planning to attempt to do the same type of vine

[Lija]

That is one that i think is grapevine, might be wrong.

And exo terra http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/forest_branch.php

[DigitalPunk]

That looks Mopani to me. Is it heavy? Grapevine is extremely light and feels a bit like Pine.

[Lija]

No it is not light, i might use it then.

what about exo terras?

[DigitalPunk]

All the google searching i did makes it seem like they use Grapevine for their branches. Best way to tell is if the wood feels dense/heavy for it size. Hardwoods are all good in Humid conditions and will feel abnormally heavy compared to their size. I am sure you know this, but soft woods = Bad for us

[Lija]

Got it! Thanks! Java and exo terras stay where they are now then!

[Lija]

Ok sprayed some foam and saw that i way way underestimated the amount of it i need, so back to the store, will get some rope too, to do smth like Lynn did. Sucky part is that i cant get more of black foam, so will need to get regular and be careful when covering it later. Oh well...
Still have one can of black left, will keep it in case i need more of it later.

Foam on waterfall part has expanded and i kinda like how it looks.... With moss growing should be really good...Which is weird... I never like right off whatever i do lol


Will make space to plant smth hanging above the cork where waterfall goes from, should be nice i think when it will grow in.

Can you guys remind me how to make drains for background plants?

[DigitalPunk]

If you have a Menards near where you live they have Great Stuff Pond and stone which is the same stuff

[Lija]

Yes, that is what im using, it is darker color in the pics. Greyish foam is what i posted pics, that was DH gift for me the thought is what counts, right but i would never have bought it myself, too expensive and as it turned out it is grey!

great stuff pond is available only in home hardware stores, that is about 40 min drive from me and they dont have it. As they said i bought all they had, it is on backorder but they are not sure when it is going to be here. Im not waiting now lol not for great stuff

[Mentat]

Hi Lija! Just got here; but will confirm the dark knurly wood appears mopani and what ET sells is sandblasted grapewine . Have to read rest of thread to catch up.

[LilyPad]

I'm loving it, Lija!

[Mentat]

OK, tank is very nice and I'm caught up in thread. A tip for next time when crushing lump charcoal or even tree fern. You will need a heavy SUV/truck; my Toyota FJ Cruiser works fine.

Place material to be crushed in a high count (400-600 TC) cotton pillow and zip tie it close. Don't overfill, you want it to fill as if pillow inside only. Then drive back and forth over it like 6 times. Check for "doneness" and if happy, just cut zip tie and bag results. Remember to wear breathing protection if dealing with coal lumps. All done in couple minutes with no hammering !

[DigitalPunk]

You will need a heavy SUV/truck; my Toyota FJ Cruiser works fine.

Place material to be crushed in a high count (400-600 TC) cotton pillow and zip tie it close. Don't overfill, you want it to fill as if pillow inside only. Then drive back and forth over it like 6 times. Check for "doneness" and if happy, just cut zip tie and bag results. Remember to wear breathing protection if dealing with coal lumps. All done in couple minutes with no hammering !

I think you sir win tip of the year!

[deranged chipmunk]

OK, tank is very nice and I'm caught up in thread. A tip for next time when crushing lump charcoal or even tree fern. You will need a heavy SUV/truck; my Toyota FJ Cruiser works fine.

Place material to be crushed in a high count (400-600 TC) cotton pillow and zip tie it close. Don't overfill, you want it to fill as if pillow inside only. Then drive back and forth over it like 6 times. Check for "doneness" and if happy, just cut zip tie and bag results. Remember to wear breathing protection if dealing with coal lumps. All done in couple minutes with no hammering !

Or just purchase activated carbon from the store.


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