3d background

[kisho]

ok this is what i have so far of my 3D background. i still need to do my bottom and carve out some extra edges and make some caves out of additional pieces. right now my worry is that someone in a nother post stated that cement contains lime, but i dont kno if lime is harmful for fish tanks

left side of the tank from the front:

the back of the tank:

right side of the tank from the front:

 

[Gumby131]

uh, yeah dude the lime constantly increases the acidity of your water

 

[Native American]

uh, yeah dude the lime constantly increases the acidity of your water

You are on the right track...pH is affected, but wouldn't it be the other way around? Lime increases pH (less acidity).

Here's a great link on using styrofoam and cement for a cichlid tank. The hobby cement he uses is equivalent to #3 Portland cement, I believe.

Styrofoam and cement background.

Also, a nice recipe for the cement concoction:

Cement recipe

Finally, another link:

More chichlid caves

Cheers.

v/r, N-A

 

[Gumby131]

sweet links nm.
Oh and yeah of course it does. it alkalizes ya water

 

[kisho]

solution

so how could i resolve this issue and still continue to have a tank that is safe for my fishes?

 

[Ulan]

If the pH of your water is 7.8 or above, you won't have to worry about alkaline water. I have water like that, and shells don't dissolve in there. Your background should be stable under those conditions. Do you want to color those backgrounds?

 

[kisho]

no, im not gonna colour my background, just gonna stick with the grey colour and wait till the algae grows, and i dont have any shells. other than that the cement wont give me any problems and any of u guys have any idea for home made caves?

 

[Native American]

Read those links. You'll note that after curing and some water changes, the pH is soon under control due to the small amount of cement used in those projects.

You could carve out some caves in the styrofoam, assuming it is thick enough. That would be pretty neat.

v/r, N-A

 

[kisho]

update

finally i have got some time and finished my concrete walls, this is how it looks like >>>>fnished results<<<<

 

[moondreamer7]

oh wow that is just awesome looking! GOOD JOB!