30gal Hexagon Viv

TheSmench · #1 04-20-2011, 11:41 PM

I had the chance to pick up two tanks for free. One is a 55gal tank i made a Savannah grow up tank and the second is a 30gal hexagon.

The 30gal had a cracked bottom. I know I could go by a piece of glass/Plexiglas to fix bottom. I decided to try something different. I used leftover titebondII and filled the bottom with an inch. It has been drying for a couple of days. My plan is that when fully cured will form waterproof seal. so far it is working. The big draw back is how long it will take to cure I say about a week. Thought i try to see if it works if it doesn't I'll get replacement glass.

I plan on have three wall with backgrounds and two walls with floating pots. This will be my 3rd rain forest build. Don't know what type of herp yet probably rachs or gtp. Will update as i progress.

MartinM · #2 04-21-2011, 09:19 AM

I'd be surprised if you don't get some shrinkage, with the glue pulling away from the glass at the edges. Also, such a thick layer might take well more than a week to cure. From the point of view of the monomer molecules near the center of that slab, how is this any different from being in the bottle, where the glue goes for years without curing?

Let us know how it works out.

Martin

TheSmench · #3 04-21-2011, 02:40 PM

i figured that it would take longer. I know it might pull away i plan of using aquarium sealant on edges. I keep heat lamp over area. So far it is hardening. I figured it was the air that curs it once water evaporates. If you leave the bottle open it will eventually dry out. I used titebond to make backgrounds don't see how that would be any different. Like i said it is an experiment and so far so good. Thanks for input will updated if it works.

TheSmench · #4 04-24-2011, 08:25 PM

After a week the glue is 90% cured. it should only take a few more days. The edges did not pull away but for added strength coating the bottom with clear sealant. I marked off where pots and substrate layer will be. The back three walls are going to be completely cover and the 2 sides just floating pots. should add Gs this week. will update soon