They let the concrete rock cure in a bucket of SW for at least 2 months before adding it to a tank. Otherwise it will raise the Ph quite high.
Is Quick Drying Cement Safe ?
- Thread starter phil_ip
- Start date
The chemical used in the cement I would use is called polymer, someone already said this was safe because it is hydrocarbon chains fused tightly together to form a chemical bond, and that plastic of all types are made of polymer, he or she also said polymer is impervious to water and will not release any bad molecules into the water. Thanks IGKYA!!!, but what do the rest of u think ?
I dont know either. Ive used concrete in both African cichlid, CA cichlid and SW tanks with no problems.
Phil_ip,
You should be able to find epoxy resin at the Home Depot, Lowes, etc. — look in the paint section.
The descriptions I've read of people using cement to make features usually include some kind of underlying form with a cement shell over top sealed with epoxy. Should take care of curing issues as well as pH issues.
You should be able to find epoxy resin at the Home Depot, Lowes, etc. — look in the paint section.
The descriptions I've read of people using cement to make features usually include some kind of underlying form with a cement shell over top sealed with epoxy. Should take care of curing issues as well as pH issues.
Phil-ip - I would also check Home Depot or Lowes - but they didn't carry epoxy resin in my area.
I used Epoxy resin from West Systems. Most woodworking stores carry this or similiar brands. You can search for their US dealers at:
http://www.westsystem.com/frames/tier2/productinfo/usdealers.htm
they also have dealers on their site that will ship the product to you
I used Epoxy resin from West Systems. Most woodworking stores carry this or similiar brands. You can search for their US dealers at:
http://www.westsystem.com/frames/tier2/productinfo/usdealers.htm
they also have dealers on their site that will ship the product to you
Last edited:
Originally posted by pinballqueen
Also, cement tends to expand a little before it starts shrinking, so you run the risk of cracking your tank. It will get very hot during the drying process as well, which might damage the seals. (This applies to cement and concrete mixes that contain plaster of paris as the main fixative...) Cement takes literally years to cure fully, as the center takes much longer than the outer crust. This is why cement and concrete driveways develop cracks. The outer layer is cured, but the inside is still slightly pliable. It will never fully dry underwater without chemical additives (concrete used in bridge construction is preformed months ahead of time and reinforced with steel for this reason.)
If you were to try something like this, you might try the cement they use to repair cracks in swimming pools, but once again, you will be plagued with chemical imbalances for a very long time (something you don't have to worry about for a swimming pool).
Wish I had some better advice....
I can only hope you are joking, its just not true...
Stias'
While most of what PBQ wrote is true, most of it also doesn't really apply to the quantities we're talking about here.
Large thicknesses and quantities do take months or even years to fully cure. A quarter of an inch skin will not take nearly as long. Nor will it generate that much heat. Keeping concrete wet during curing is an important step in avoiding cracks, but I'm not sure if underwater is what they meant.
And the steel rebar is in bridges (and buildings) to add tensile strength, not to help support it during curing. Steel has incredibly good tensile strength, and little compressive strength, concrete just the opposite. Steel-reinforced concrete has both.
Large thicknesses and quantities do take months or even years to fully cure. A quarter of an inch skin will not take nearly as long. Nor will it generate that much heat. Keeping concrete wet during curing is an important step in avoiding cracks, but I'm not sure if underwater is what they meant.
And the steel rebar is in bridges (and buildings) to add tensile strength, not to help support it during curing. Steel has incredibly good tensile strength, and little compressive strength, concrete just the opposite. Steel-reinforced concrete has both.
