10g FBT Paludarium tips

[Klowne]

Where are you shopping that has 20 Longs for around $20? Please point me in the right direction

[jlennon]

Thanks for all the tips, I havent used any styrofoam for the tank I just decided to make the frame from eggcrate and then foam and carve it.

I was planning on carving and painting the bricks and covering with silicone. But you are saying it can become blue-ish in color. What should I do to waterproof any painting or carving that I will do to this project?

I will update some photos when I start using the GS on it. I was going to yesterday but it started raining and I don't have a garage or any other large area that I can safely use spray foam and silicione without worrying about potential fume build up.

Whats the best sealant to go over painted foam if not just silicone?

I couldnt find a 20g long, so I will be continuing with a 10g at this time. All the 20g I saw were in those overpriced 'starter kits' which I refuse to pay 59.99 for a 20 gallon tank that comes with the cheapest crap ever made.

I'll pickup another 10g tank later, maybe check petco for a 20g tank only since petsmart and walmart have failed me.

[beckdg]

acrylic paint should be fine.

[jlennon]

Ok Acrylic paint is not going to leech into the water? Then thats what I shall use!

[beckdg]

i think rudereefer used it in these builds... my method of building fake / faux rocks

[jlennon]

Oh I forgot to mention something. I bought some silicone mixture I need some opinions on. It is Liquid Nails Concrete & Mortar Repair... Wondering if it is feasible to use for the brick/stone look I want.

It looks like this:



Also a link to the MSDS sheet:

http://www.duspec.com/DuSpec2/product/ProductDocumentSearchController.htm?documentFormat =pdf&systemSetId=70&productCode=CR-805&documentType=msds


And another link for Technical Data Sheet:

http://www.duspec.com/DuSpec2/produc...Type=datasheet

And the main product page:

http://www.liquidnails.com/products/...ctId=6#details

The main ingredients seem to be as follows:

Acrylic Resin.............................10 - 20%
Ethylene Glycol........................0.1 - 1.0 %
Diethylene Glycol Dibenzoate.........1 - 5 %
Limestone................................40 - 50%
Titanium Dioxide.......................0.1 - 1.0 %
Quartz....................................0.1 - 1.0 %
Dipropylene Glycol Dibenzoate........1 - 5 %
Water......................................10 - 20%
Mineral Oil..................................5 - 10%

Max VOC 31

All this info is provided in the two links I posted. It states its base is siliconized acrylic latex compound and most of the ingredients are natual minerals that are present in most water.

I'm not familiar with concrete grout substances, but it seems like it is grout in a caulking bottle. There are no warnings to keep away from water, etc so I am not sure if I can use this, or if I do something should be sealed over top of it....

[beckdg]

i would not use it, personally.

check out the bottom of the first post right after the quote here... how it's done... favorite links thread

[jlennon]

I think I am going to give it a try. Maybe after its cured and dried I'll just apply a thin layer of silicone on top to be safe.

I looked up the properties of each on their respective MSDS sheets, and the Liquid Nails Concrete has the same basic ingredients of silicone and acrylic paints, and stone mixture added on top of that.

Since it does have the same ingredients I believe it should be just as safe as both products used separately. Also the Liquid Nails Concrete states it is paintable, so I could just coat that with acrylic paint. I'm going to test it and see the results.

I am curious to find out if this mix has a smooth texture or granular since over half of the mix is limestone and other natural minerals.

[beckdg]

let us know how it turns out.

[froggsong]

Do be aware that limestone will GREATLY alter the pH of your water. Most likely to the point of burning the amphibians delicate skin. Be sure to get a pH test kit to monitor the water for a few weeks if you are dead set on trying this product. You'd have to cure it and leach it similarly to the way concrete must be sealed and leached (please note that cure and leach time for concrete is different than that for grout, which most of us use).