29 gallon build log

[J Teezy]

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.

[bigwilliestyles]

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 was thinking that those cracks just make it look more authentic. It seems a bit weird that it cracked? Perhaps it had something to do with the grout drawing moisture from the foam? My foam backgrounds with peatmoss havent had an issue with cracking. Although they do shrink a bit with time.

I am looking forward to seeing this all planted.

[NatureLady]

Oh man. I was just able to load this thread and sorry about the cracks!!!
It looks really amazing though and I hope that it has decided to stop cracking!

[J Teezy]

I was thinking that those cracks just make it look more authentic. It seems a bit weird that it cracked? Perhaps it had something to do with the grout drawing moisture from the foam? My foam backgrounds with peatmoss havent had an issue with cracking. Although they do shrink a bit with time.

I am looking forward to seeing this all planted.

It wasn't the grout that cracked. The foam expanded somehow and cracked the grout, Can tell it was the foam because of how spread the cracks were. I fixed it for now hopefully. I'm just waiting on this guy to get back to me about drilling my drain so i can move on with the build, he's holding me up at the moment

[J Teezy]

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

[Nano]

Hey Josh,

Did you manage to get vents drilled as well?

[J Teezy]

i'm not going to vent it. Probably just put a fan in it

[Nano]

Oh, ok. Something like that won't work for me. Some of the plants I have are quite sensitive and if I don't turn on the rain or spray quite regularly their leaves start drying out... if I put a fan I think they will just die straight away.

Sometimes I think my tank is too humid, but I don't know for sure as I don't have a gauge to measure humidity yet.... I think I will have to fix that soon

[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?

[J Teezy]

GE Silicone I Window and Door
yes it dries clear
you grout then paint then seal

[FrogLoving17]

Thanks!

[J Teezy]

glass tops cut, just need to drill them, light fixture and substrate ordered, just need to refinish the stand i'm going to be using, once that is done, plants get ordered and tank should be up and running