My First 29G Tank w/ Water Feature plenty of pics

[dart345]

Nice thanks, but some one was telling me make sure it has a good height for pumping... IT gives the gph....I will do some more research on that make sure that I buy the right one....

[dart345]

The first picture, is a branch that i am applying some Titebond III to. I am doing this because the branch will serve as a tube like passage for the water and I was setting it up and notice there were some leaks, I did some patching up with the glue , I thought it would not be a problem, I will test it out again after it cures.

The foam process is still in process, I am allowing proper curing time before I apply another layer in certain spots. I will be using the dremel tool to shape the Great stuff into what I like. I will be also applying the wood in the background with a little bit of silicone.

If you notice the one area with plastic around it, that is the "void space I created for the pump to sit in and pump out the water. I placed plastic over this because I still need to work on the right side to make it more appealing.

If you notice my last pic, I am not very good at sewing lol, however I was not to concern as I plan on have more fiber installed when I place the leca balls in and then there will another layer...

I am still in the creative phase, as I am looking at the whole picture trying to keep in mind where the soil would go, all the wood work, and how to keep it looking realistic yet not crowded.

[dart345]

Here some more pics of the set up... I am hoping the left side of the tank will be where all the soil will reside in to keep the plants in...

Some of the things that concerned me is the remains of great stuff left behind from sanding down, Ideally I have to vacuum what I can, however I know some will get some crevices so as a result I guess I have to wash the tank out a few times then fill it up with water and apply some of that starter stuff that removes all the bad stuff, let it sit and dump it.

Some thoughts I had, perhaps acrylic paint in some spots? however is there a certain acrylic paint that is toxic?

As far as the titebond III method, when I mixed the material with the glue what method do you use to spread it on the great stuff? To get even coats that is?

I was wondering perhaps since I might mix in small batches, and sand is required I was thinking of maybe getting colored sand to help with a variety of look. . I.E. black sand, red sand, blue sand, or white sand... Just a thought, however would the dye be harmful is a thought that ran into my mind?

I still need to find some slate to help cover the void space, I will more then like also run a pipe in that corner so that I can tubing and ext cord through that...

In the mean time I am going to have to clean the hydroton balls I have... I am wondering if I should take the time to drill holes in 5 gallon bucket and make a large colander system...It help me out alot I would think.... I have to make the holes small enough where the balls would not come out, but then I can take that bucket and dip it into another bucket and let it soak..

I will say this, for those who never used the hydroton balls before make sure you wash them especially when they are NEW! They can leave a yucky red residue behind if not washed properly and when I mean washed properly I mean rinsed SEVERAL times! Theres a lot of leg work in the beginning but this save you the hassle and the build up in your tank!

[beckdg]

for the g/s removal... vac and if you have it blow it out with a compressor. at that point a rinse should be sufficient. you'll be covering most of it and hopefully giving the tank a chance to settle, plants root, etc. anyway. plus, if it's cured it should be pretty safe.

colored sand usually is a bad idea. there are sands that aquarium keepers use pretty often that would provide a little color... although i'm not sure how many options you'd have for colors. black, tan and white are the most prominent in the hobby.

i've yet to see an acrylic paint that doesn't state it's non toxic right on the front label, so you should be good there.

the buckets certainly seem like a good idea since leca floats but i'd think some of the material you're trying to get rid of would also. the holes should help a lot.

i was wondering how you're going to hide that slope... i'm guessing your slate? if i may make a suggestion... stacked (glued) pieces would look a lot better than a vertical piece imo.

carving g/s is usually a better option than sanding. sanding it makes a nasty mess.

[dart345]

IF you mean the right side where it flows where its like a ramp that be where the pond be at. AS for the left side, keep in mind a layer of leca will be placed on the bottom then the substrate so the slope will not be that bad at all.

I was thinking that colored sand be a bad idea... AS for the g/s removal, my shop vac is my best friend. I do not have a compressor but I might be able to borrow one.. I wouldnt want to use a compressed air can because of the chemicals it leaves.....

Yes I think I should be good as far as curing goes, I am waiting and giving it enough time to cure, and I think the Texas Heat is helping it out too...

Just to clarify, do I have to carve foam if I am adding foam? Does this help stick more or not? Thanks!

[HeavyW]

Originally Posted by dart345

Just to clarify, do I have to carve foam if I am adding foam? Does this help stick more or not? Thanks!

Carving is up to you. Most people carve because they are going for a certain look. I do not think it helps anything stick more tho, the silicone is making things stick regardless if the foam is carved or not. I barely carved mine, just went with how it happened and I was happy. More of a rugged look. So it all depends on what you want the bg to look like!

Good job so far though...Keep the pics comin

[beckdg]

carving before another layer will help but is far from necessary.

i agree with the compressed air can. i think carving is definitely better than sanding though.

i am talking about hiding the front of your slope... not a side.

[dart345]

oh you mean if you were looking at it from the front? Yea... I wish I would of cut it a little bit smaller from the front of the tank... not much clearance, but I plan on stuffin leca balls in the small space... to help cover that part .

I hope that will help cover that part, and I couldnt see why it wouldnt.. I will say the left side you can see a little bit of the false bottom, but that shouldnt be to much of a concern, if anything I look at it as a good thing, I can view the water to see how dirty it is.

[dart345]

OK for the front view the small gap I can either place gravel or leca balls.. I can also use the fiberglass mesh to help keep in in the front.

The left side of the tank, the false bottome will more then like be visible unless I throw in a layer leca balls OR .... maybe I can stuff some foam under neath there... Not the great stuff foam, but like foam that be found in car seats...

It really is not a big deal to be able to see the false bottom on the to an extent. It may not be that notiecable when I start to add everything else in it..

The front view however on the right side will get some touch up, I am waiting for the gravel to dry on the mesh....


AS far as the back goes, if you notice I took out the void space, I did that to touch up the side with some silicone so that you could not see that.

I may more then likely do Is attach the mesh on that void space really good and take it out of the tank, and on the one side glue rocks on it to help.....

So far its coming along, I just wish I left more room in the front then what I have now. Oh well I can work with it and I have some ideas up my sleeve, the good thing is at least its not kissing against the tank, and with the way its design shouldnt be a issue with a clogged pump at all.


Thanks for the tips guys on the carving and using dremel tool, Beck I highly agree with you on the dremel tool, that was running through my mind, and I did not like the idea of having a mess inside the tank...

It has not been a full 24 hours but sitting out in the Texas Heat, it seemed fully cure. I added the second layer of GS and I am now waiting for the stuff to cure and dry before I proceed adding in the other stuff.

[dart345]

Ok the last pic on the right if you see that space in the front, what I plan on doing is adding leca balls and that same gravel u see on the front of the slope.

What I was thinking I can do since I have little room to work with is to get some cardboard or something similiar and wrap it in saran wrap. Then take some of the fiberglass mesh screen cut it to size then lay it over cardboard and then glue the grave to it, let it dry and remove it from the cardboard...In my mind I think this would work since the mesh will hold the gravel and glue and the plastic help separate it from the cardboard...

If that makes sense to you, I think that work, then I can just glue that piece onto the front and bam... no longer see the front view.