Building The Moors

[rjm2653]

Im going to start a journal of my first truly serious build. Im doing a 30 breeder. I started on the foam background but I also will be doing the false bottom cliff river and waterfall similar to Bill's 125g build. As soon as he logs on I can ask him about what is he using to color the foam that is going to be underwater... Will post pics soon. I plan on making the waterfall custom with a the pump and tubing running up the side of the tank as soon as I figure out what to use on the background so the water doesn't erode it.

[DigitalPunk]

Can't wait to follow along with this build!

Some foam that is submerged you could either us Titebond 3 wood glue tinted with Acrylic paint or Drylock tinted with Acrylic paint

[rjm2653]

At Home Depot they tint the drylok so is that what you're talking about?

[DigitalPunk]

No I would buy it and then tint it with non toxic acrylic paint (you can buy it at walmart for like $0.98). Super safe for frogs and super cheap Its back in the crafts section.

[rjm2653]

No I would buy it and then tint it with non toxic acrylic paint (you can buy it at walmart for like $0.98). Super safe for frogs and super cheap Its back in the crafts section.

Shop UGL Drylok Extreme Masonry Waterproofer, White, Quart at Lowes.com

[DigitalPunk]

Buy the gallon live a little lol

If the drylock isn't doable titebond 3 mixed with Acrylic paint is awesome as well.

[rjm2653]

This home depot only sells a gallon of drylok. Is this normal. If so im thinking of just painting it with acrylic but idk if its waterproof

[rjm2653]

Lol its just I dont wanna have a whole lot left. Im excited to make this river. Do you suggest a pump? I dont want a weak trickle and the water will be higher up on the tank

[DigitalPunk]

If you are wanting to have moving water then yes a pump will be needed.

[rjm2653]

I mean a brand lol. I saw the reptiflo at Petsmart but idk if its strong enough to send the water up that far

[DigitalPunk]

Look at the pumps Max head. This is the max height the pump can pump water up. If you want a fast flow you will want to find a pump that can pump water higher than the distance you want it to go and then you can adjust the flow to get it the way you want it.

[rjm2653]

Can I drylok the wood as well so it can go in the water? I wanted to make the cliff look realistic

[DigitalPunk]

If you use standard Vivarium wood it is dense and resists breaking down in water so no need to waterproof it.

I appreciate the technical build you are undertaking, but the questions you are asking make me concerned you are biting off more than you are ready to handle. A tank doesn't need to have all the bells and whistles to be an outstanding tank. That is a trap most people fall into early on. Lord knows I fell into it hard. Water features rarely work as you intend and end up being a LOT of work to get right even for those of us who have been building for years. Everyone when setting out to build their 2nd or 3rd or 4th or .... tank needs to stop and ask.. Why am I adding a river... Because I want it or the frogs. We humans tend to try to one up ourselves and our peers and that just what vivarium building is really all about.

I am more than happy to answer question as you progress through this, but I dont feel right being a wiki for you to embark on something you dont seem to be ready for

Paul

[rjm2653]

have the land masses in place. Still need to check on the pump to see if its strong enough to force the water high enough for the feature. Only going to have 3" of water. Will be doing all 3 walls with foam as the waterfall will be on the right side wall.