my method of building fake / faux rocks

[RudeReefer]

Originally Posted by beckdg

shocking news eh? what pump did you say was in there? no heater in the water correct? if so what model?

i hear that's a common problem with cheap heaters and rio pumps. i have not yet had the good fortune of experiencing that myself though. lucky you huh?

I do have a aquarium heater in the system along with my waterfall pump. Not sure what brand, because I swiped it from a vive my friend brought here, I will have to look next time I'm in the tank. I'm going to try and eliminate the extension cord, and I may need to get the ground probe after all...? I have cords everywhere at the moment, my kitchen looks like a little frog zoo.... besides my tank, I'm fixing up the old 10g for my cousin, and just took in my friends tank last night to build his vive for him! Oh, THEN I'm doing a 55g for myself as well (it's on the floor)... then there's another 20g in the corner over here.... I will post some pics of the two larger tank builds since they should have some form of fake rock in them... I'm also using cork bark on one.

[RudeReefer]

Originally Posted by Teguman72

The tank i am building is going to be 18X18X18. I am going to make a backround and cover the sides with HabaCrete and probably use it to make a small pool in the front of the cage. It is going to be for an Emerald Tree Skink which i finally found someone who has them for sale in the U.S.

Cool, I like cube tanks! on the pond at the bottom, it might be easier to use a little great stuff to form that part, then you wont waste too much Habacrete filling it in.... just a thought. Let me know if you post some pics of your build! I also use a small section of a drinking straw placed through the great stuff, so it acts like a little pipe so water can flow through to the false bottom easier... this way if you have a strong pump, the pond will still drain faster, and not overflow... my creek on the 47 has no pipe like this so it's a higher water level then my floor water. Not a big deal...

[beckdg]

Originally Posted by RudeReefer

I do have a aquarium heater in the system along with my waterfall pump. Not sure what brand, because I swiped it from a vive my friend brought here, I will have to look next time I'm in the tank. I'm going to try and eliminate the extension cord, and I may need to get the ground probe after all...? I have cords everywhere at the moment, my kitchen looks like a little frog zoo.... besides my tank, I'm fixing up the old 10g for my cousin, and just took in my friends tank last night to build his vive for him! Oh, THEN I'm doing a 55g for myself as well (it's on the floor)... then there's another 20g in the corner over here.... I will post some pics of the two larger tank builds since they should have some form of fake rock in them... I'm also using cork bark on one.

since you've already discovered "shocking news", rofl, i see nothing wrong with taking precautions and using a grounding rod. i would however try to eliminate one by one the source of the current leak.

you know as well as i do (i',m almost 100% positive) that those cords can be the cause of such a situation. i would not put it past and might personally suspect my electrical box (fuse box/junction box/etc.) if you cannot isolate a specific piece of equipment or eliminate the issue by reducing your wire clutter.

i would take each piece of equipment that comes into contact with anything that could carry current into your viv water and test it in a bucket full of water. i'd do it with and without the cords and in another room on another breaker if necessary also.

if you find that you only have the issue with your extension cords plugged in replace them ofcourse. if you find it's a specific piece of equipment (many heaters are notorious for leaking current eventually ofcourse) then obviously replace that. if you find you can only replicate the problem in that room then it may be time to rewire, add or replace a faulty breaker or move your setup to another breaker/room.

i am sorry if any of this seems obvious to you. i'm hoping some of this sparks a thought and may help you in the long run.

[froggsong]

Originally Posted by RudeReefer

I also use a small section of a drinking straw placed through the great stuff, so it acts like a little pipe so water can flow through to the false bottom easier... this way if you have a strong pump, the pond will still drain faster, and not overflow... my creek on the 47 has no pipe like this so it's a higher water level then my floor water. Not a big deal...

Now THAT is a great idea I hadn't thought of. Please post that in the sticky thread called "Tips and Tricks". That solves what can be a big problem with a super easy fix.

[RudeReefer]

cool! I just posted it, along with some pics

[ajw]

would Thoroseal's - Thorite be a good replacement for habicrete?
http://www.thoroproducts.com/faq.htm

[RudeReefer]

Originally Posted by ajw

would Thoroseal's - Thorite be a good replacement for habicrete?
Thoro - FAQ

Hmmm, I'm going to read that page later and find out. I'm hoping a friend of mine can do a chemical breakdown of the Habacrete to tell us what is really in it. He is a chemist, and works fro a huge chemical facility. He can take my salt water, and do unbelievable tests and break it down into a chart foe me... crazy stuff....

[beckdg]

quartz, lithium carbonate, inorganic lead, nickel and arsenic are listed as ingredients in all their concrete products... that worries me.

[ajw]

Originally Posted by ajw

would Thoroseal's - Thorite be a good replacement for habicrete?
Thoro - FAQ

Only reason i even mentioned this product is because I read on several Forums that is it used in the making of Artificial rock backgrounds for many aquariums and is safe to use.

[beckdg]

if it doesn't worry you and you have confidence in the outcome after reading through the msds then go for it. i personally wouldn't use it though.