New 75 Gal Vive Build Log

Teach · #1 11-02-2011, 03:50 PM

tank5 017.jpgI am rebuilding my 75 gallon vive ..... housing tree frogs

egg crate false bottom with 4.5 inches of water.
2 water features: a stream and a waterfall

Plumbing: 1 medium fluval and 1 duetto 100 filter pump. poly filter lining and purigen powder under gravel substrate.

Step 1:

Black silicone on left side of tank to hide the egg crate.

Cork bark background siliconed to wall.

1.5 Inch PVC pipe to support the egg crate siliconed to bottom of tank.

All silicone= 100% silicone GE II

Teach · #2 11-02-2011, 04:28 PM

As you can see, i went with an expanding foam to cover up the egg crate that will show behind the water. I used Tetra's waterfall foam and i like the color compared to the GS we normally all use. I sprinkled in some small pebbles to give it texture which was useless since the next step completely covered them all up.

next step for the background of the egg crate is to cover the foam with cement. I hope to paint it and have been doing a crazy amount of research on the best type of paint and how to achieve the best look. Any real time advice would be great here as I am at a stand still so to speak.

Do I go with the standard Krylon fusion and then highlite areas with acrylic?

Do I dare go all acrylic? or do i start looking into the epoxy type stuff?

I am leaning toward the krylon with bits of acrylic to accent the base color.

Mink · #3 11-02-2011, 05:03 PM

Mine was all acrylic and I'm not having a problem.

Also, sounds like we have similar ideas

Teach · #4 11-02-2011, 06:00 PM

Mink,

Did you paint a large area like i am doing?

Any specific brand that you used?

Most importantly, was the acrylic paint submerged? Mine will be under the water all the time. the acrylic looks so nice i would much rather use that. It just seems that you can be so much more artistic with the acrylics vs the spray.

Did you seal the paint?

Teach · #5 11-02-2011, 06:12 PM

A ramp to help conceal one of the pump/filters.

A waterfall system incorporated into the substrate that is made from foam.

Repi foam from Exo terra is siliconed onto the front and sides of the "hill" and coco bark will help keep the substrate from spilling over during plant watering.

A small "Sump" for a fogger

Mink · #6 11-02-2011, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teach

Mink,

Did you paint a large area like i am doing?

Any specific brand that you used?

Most importantly, was the acrylic paint submerged? Mine will be under the water all the time. the acrylic looks so nice i would much rather use that. It just seems that you can be so much more artistic with the acrylics vs the spray.

Did you seal the paint?

a larger area then you did.
heres a pic and the link to my thread

55gal long paludarium

I dont recall, but i know I used more then one brand.

yes, i have acrylic paint both submerged and with running water over it and have noticed no color loss as of yet. I did not choose to seal it as im hoping it will eventually get a grungy more natural look

Teach · #7 11-03-2011, 12:27 AM

MINK

WOW, your tank looks great. very nicely done....I am jealous

ultra II thinset what is that? I used a concrete filler for cracks and such, however it is a waterproof polymer and not actual concrete. It hardened up nicely but almost seems to peel if I really pick at it. I hope the paint and clear coat will seal it so to speak. I just picked up soem of the Krylon fusion and extra acrylics.

I planned on soaking the whole thing for a few days with some activated carbon in the tank...........I dont have a cool turtle pond and this time of the year near the arctic circle has few outdoor options. How long did you soak yours?

Any pics of the 55 nowadays?

thanks so much for replying, you just gave me a new wave of thought and great advice! Will keep you posted and if you ahve any other thoughts or suggesstions, please feel free to help!

Mink · #8 11-03-2011, 06:28 PM

ultra thinset 2 is a thin set with a high proportion of polymer bonders within it.
Your choice was likely even better then mine, but I was being yelled at to get out of HD so only spent a little while and went with the tried and true.

A week is generally considered the minimum with soaking, some reef people soak for up to a month. I shoot for about a week and a half. My advice during the soak is have something moving the water around, i used a powerhead from an old reef tank.

Just did some work and will be uploading pictures/updating my thread once i go through and read todays posts