I'm making a DIY backround. Is it safe to use quick drying cement to create the backround. If I did I would place the backround in the tank, let it sit in there with water, but no fish, for about two months, doing 50% water changes every week. Then after the two months introduce the fish. Do you think this would be safe to do?
Is Quick Drying Cement Safe ?
- Thread starter phil_ip
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Where I am from most quickcrete has some type of limestone in it, which wouldn't be good for your fish.
I think it would be perfectly harmless...I've seen many ponds and even a couple of tanks made from concrete...if anything did leech, it might just raise your KH a little.
I would be very hesitant to try this. Concretes will leach chemicals and compounds into water. Those concrete ponds that you see have been cured or weathered.
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....
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....
When I first got into this hobby, I used mortar (brick cement) to peice rocks together. It nearly killed my fish. I've since learned and realize that what darkangel & the others have said is correct. However, it would be safe to use cement in your tank if you apply a few coats of potable water epoxy on the cement. Give the cement at least 7 days to cure and give the epoxy the same period of time, both at room tempurature.
HTH
HTH
Here's an alternate idea...
Maybe if you have a pottery studio nearby, you could sculpt the deco from ceramic clay and have it fired and glazed. The same stuff they sell at the lfs.... It would cost a little, but you'd get exactly what you're wanting.... then you can just use silicone to adhere the deco piece to the back of your tank.
Maybe if you have a pottery studio nearby, you could sculpt the deco from ceramic clay and have it fired and glazed. The same stuff they sell at the lfs.... It would cost a little, but you'd get exactly what you're wanting.... then you can just use silicone to adhere the deco piece to the back of your tank.
Well, I agree with most of the above - let me just add:
First - as noted, concrete will raise your ph. So unless this is a cichlid tank, you may have some problems.
Second, there is a way to cure the concrete - I read it in the DIY background instructions a couple folks did on a cichlid site (I can't recall the name / link right now). That will make it safe for fish - but again, your ph will be affected ( I seem to recall them curing it by soaking in slatwater - but I could be wrong)
third - why don't you instead go with epoxy resin and sand? thats what I did - the resin is inert - and the sand gives a textured finish just like rocks - check out my pics / instructions on the Tank Pic link below
First - as noted, concrete will raise your ph. So unless this is a cichlid tank, you may have some problems.
Second, there is a way to cure the concrete - I read it in the DIY background instructions a couple folks did on a cichlid site (I can't recall the name / link right now). That will make it safe for fish - but again, your ph will be affected ( I seem to recall them curing it by soaking in slatwater - but I could be wrong)
third - why don't you instead go with epoxy resin and sand? thats what I did - the resin is inert - and the sand gives a textured finish just like rocks - check out my pics / instructions on the Tank Pic link below
Well if concrete is so chemically dangerous to your fish, you guys might want to let the guys over at GARF know...cause they're making live rock out of it.