GRIMM's Vivarium Build #2

[Deacon240]

I'm really curious to see how the titebond is used for the background... I have a 20 vert I'm working on and about ready to get started on the background

[beckdg]

i get the binder method froggy. i think i may have actually showed it to you... not sure.

what i was getting at was instead of worrying about leaching and the properties of crete when submerged, if he's already using tightbond and the binder method why not make the crete itself somewhat water impermeable by adding it to that also.

after that the binder method could be applied just the same.

[froggsong]

lol, beck, I know... I was just confused when you said to press coco on top of the mix, or whatever that was that I bolded in that quote. I actually saw that page that's your favorite link long before we met.

Do you think that the titebond as an additive would improve the crete? If so, that's certainly an idea when using crete in such thin layers like we tend to do. Do you think it wold keep the crete from leaching underwater though?

[beckdg]

i would think it would help as some of the crete would be encased in an impermeable water barrier. i would think it would improve the strength and longevity as well as reduce shrinking that leads to cracking as well. concrete cures technically for something like 100 years. the only way to know that concrete is cured completely is when it flakes back off into powder. that's why us americans have so many bridges and overpasses that are falling apart.

[Grimm]

Well it seems there arent enough hours in a day!!!

I think I just drove like 3 hours around town tonight....After being led to the wrong part of the city (thanks google maps!!!) I then managed to crawl my way for at least 1.5 hours all the way to the other side of town. Got the Titebond...Got the Peat Moss...Got my sanity back once I arrived home and started working on the tank for a while.

I wont post pics tonight...sorry guys & gals...But I will try to in the morning.

I was contemplating not attaching a vine across my tank since it doesnt look the greatest. But it really isnt about what looks the best all the time, its what would be best for the critter living inside. Since it is either going to be a RETF or some sort of tropical gecko I figured the more climbing area the better. I added the vine across and continued to trim away some more of the excess silicone.

I still need to foam the other end of the vine once the first end cures, I'll do that in the morning so I will be able to finish all the foam trimming by nightfall. If all goes well Saturday will be Titebond Time!!!

And something I forgot to mention yesterday....
I managed to find some Riccia Moss after about 3 weeks of searching...Turns out my favorite aquarium shop has it hidden out of view floating on the surface in a few tanks. I tried Froggy's idea and created 2 small moss pillows, aswell as a larger moss "blanket" that I will be able to drape over the slow moving water area in my stream. I sewed felt and tulle together, left a small unsewn section, flipped it inside out, filled the pillows and blanket with moss, then sewed the small opening shut. I also wrapped a moss covered lava rock with tulle and now it is sitting submerged in my large tank. Hopefully all goes well and everything begins to grow through the tulle so I can take pictures for you guys!

Sorry for the semi-long rambling update, not bad for being exhausted tho haha

[beckdg]

sweet... sounds good.

[Rusoro]

Can't wait to see this in action!

Also I'm really glad I read through this whole thread, the Titebond method looks like a great one and I'll have to use it in the coming month on my project. Thumbs up for all the helpful information! =]

[newsalt]

Tagging along ......learning as I go. My back ground will be my next major project of my current build.

[Grimm]

Just a very quick pic update...I couldnt get a pic of my progress from last night cuz the tank was tilted at a funky angle to allow the vine to dry into place.
But here is what the foam looks like now. Its difficult to see but I did make some larger details to distinguish seperate rocks and cracks. Hopefully once covered they will show up more clearly.





And here is a bonus...First time I have seen my frog sleep on the glass ever! (Yes I know I need a new camera haha)

[Herpetology101]

Thats a nice pic of the frog your camera is fine.