08-24-2011, 06:46 PM
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Vive Newbie
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 27
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from Curing concrete – Dendroboard | All About Indoor/Outdoor Speakers
Quote:
Yes unfortunately the grout should be cured as well. it is basically a concrete product and because the tank environment is very moist and humid, your grout / concrete will continue to hydrate or cure for a period of time, whether you have a water feature or not.
When cement / concrete is “curing” it is actually absorbing water molecules, ie. hydrating. After about 28 days in a moist environment it will be mostly finished hydrating or curing (cement actually keeps hydrating VERY slowly for an indefinite period). As concrete and grout hydrates they release calcium oxide and calcium hydroxide which are two forms of kalkwasser. The leaching out of these by products are the main cause of the high pH swings which will end up overdosing your tank which is likely to kill your plants and animals. The kalkwasser will leach out whether you have a water feature or not.
Sorry that is not what you want to hear, but knowing should prevent you from losing plants and animals. That is if you properly cure the grout.
All the vinegar does is lower the pH on the grout’s surface, it does not stop the curing, speed up the curing, or eliminate the need for curing.
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