131 Gallon Viv Build

[Grrrit]

Looking good! I'm excited to see you making some progress. And I know how its difficult to work in the heat. We've had a heat wave the past few weeks in the upper 90's. So getting home at 9am from work and trying to get motivated after being in a 125°f plant all night lol. Let's say I've been taking it easy.

But kisa, take your time and have fun with it. Go over and make sure you have it all covered, and just how you want it. Once its done with lights on it, plants and frogs moved in, its kindof tough to go back and make corrections.

[Kisa]

I definitely see what you mean Garret. Thanks for the reply.

I definitely don't have it as bad as you when it comes to building. During summer break I have all day every day to work on my tank, I think I'm a bit lazy. >>; Shh, it's a secret.

It is quite discouraging though when you go to cover one side of your tank, leave it for almost two days to dry and then when you set the tank up...it all. falls. off. :/ How do you guys do this? It'll be the fourth time I've had to touch up my tank today...

I'll post a picture if all goes well.

[DonLisk]

Press the substrate down firmly into the wet silicone so it is stuck right into it. Plenty is going to fall off but whats left on will be stuck pretyy good.

[Grrrit]

Try small patches at a time too. If the silicon dries the slightest bit it doesn't take as much dirt, fibers as it can.

[Kisa]

Thanks for all the tips guys. I guess I didn't anticipate that it wouldn't work the way I thought. XD; I will say I did it wrong the first time, but I think I've gotten the hang of it now...as long as the stuff sticks.

Once I get this one wall done hopefully I'll have leanred from my mistake and use a lot more dirt. I don't think I piled it on enough the first time.

I have been doing small patches. Now there are just little pieces of the foam showing through, a bit below that ledge in the picture up there and some spots that are covered with dirt and silicone but you can still see the yellow a bit underneath.,

I've got this! It'll get done, just gotta give me some time to recuperate from my failures.

Hopefully I'll be posting pictures of the finished product soon.

[Grrrit]

By no means did you fail brit. Your just learning the same way we all did

you'll get it!

[bshmerlie]

That's part of the learning process. We've all done it. That's why we have so many funny stories to share. My very first tank I didn't put the screen between the Leca and the soil. Not until I had the tank completely done did I realize there would be a problem.