BaZ Posted October 11, 2005 Share Posted October 11, 2005 Looks great! Now get it into a tank so we can see it under lights and behind water Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart74 Posted October 11, 2005 Share Posted October 11, 2005 Nice background I am in the middle of doing one very similar Mine is to suit my 8x30x30 i'm in the middle of setting up This is the test fit stage I hope to be starting the epoxy resin tomorrow. I went for a largish rock look for mine due to the size of the tank and the large fish I want to put in there. What a mess these things create By the end of cutting the wife called me Mr Snowman What thickness stryene did you use for yours Merjo?? I used 100mm stuff, Fantastic for creating patterns into Cheers Stuart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaZ Posted October 11, 2005 Share Posted October 11, 2005 Wow another talented one! Looking forward to seeing the pics of this one finished also Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anchar Posted October 12, 2005 Author Share Posted October 12, 2005 Hi Stuart, I used a number of inch thick sheets and stuck them together as it was cheaper than buying a thicker block. I know what you mean by snowman...what a mess! This is the first one I have done, so it has been a learning curve...there are a few things I'd do differently next time around. Andrea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrontyKing Posted October 12, 2005 Share Posted October 12, 2005 Both look fantastic! Well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parrdog Posted October 12, 2005 Share Posted October 12, 2005 Well done from me also . Makes me wish I had taken the plunge and done it as well. I also can't wait to see these backgrounds in action . Great stuff you two, Jamie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anchar Posted October 13, 2005 Author Share Posted October 13, 2005 Thanks fellas...I changed it again (woman's perogative you know ). I have decided to match it to some shell/limestone conglomerate I have. Some close ups of the texture.... And the real rock I am matching it to... Andrea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
white96wrx Posted October 13, 2005 Share Posted October 13, 2005 That looks the goods Where did you get the lime/shell rock stuff from looks good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anchar Posted October 13, 2005 Author Share Posted October 13, 2005 I bought it from an LFS a few years ago and tucked it away for use later...I guess later has just arrived I think it came from north WA. Andrea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parrdog Posted October 13, 2005 Share Posted October 13, 2005 Far out Andrea, that looks bloody unreal . You have managed to match that background to the rocks perfectly. I'm sure you would get much interest if you dabbled in selling these works of art . Keep the updates coming, I'm lovin' it, Jamie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anchar Posted October 13, 2005 Author Share Posted October 13, 2005 Now I can tell my parents that 7 years at Uni has finally paid off I knew I'd use that geology degree Andrea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ViS Posted October 13, 2005 Share Posted October 13, 2005 Looking really good How badly do you think the concrete will raise the pH? There looks to be a few kg's of it there. Are you sure it won't push the pH up over 9.0? I was toying with the idea of making my own concrete caves etc, but decided against it as it leaches a few chemicals and puts the pH up too much (even for most africans). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anchar Posted October 13, 2005 Author Share Posted October 13, 2005 You're right..it does push the pH up over 9 but if you cure it with salt water (fill, empty, fill, empty etc) it will eventually stabilise at a pH of around 8.5. This process takes about 3 weeks from what I've read, but I'll know more once I try it for myself. I have some cross bred Tropheus that I can try it out on J/k MM....the babies aren't going near it Andrea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ViS Posted October 13, 2005 Share Posted October 13, 2005 Hmmmm... Tell me if it works, as I'll make up a heap of concrete stuff and put it at one of my dive sites for a month or so, and let the tide do the work for me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anchar Posted October 13, 2005 Author Share Posted October 13, 2005 That is exactly how they manufacture artificial live rock ViS Andrea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoges Posted October 13, 2005 Share Posted October 13, 2005 Wow Merjo that just looks amazing! I never realised you were so talented and artistic, that is really a work or art! Can't wait to see it in a tank with fishies and lighting ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ash Posted October 13, 2005 Share Posted October 13, 2005 so you're not sealing it with anything, just curing it? a lot of the DIY guides have people sealing these backgrounds with some sort of latex stuff or fibreglass resin to stop the concrete leaching thing happening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anchar Posted October 13, 2005 Author Share Posted October 13, 2005 Ash the concrete ones are not sealed. The latex or fibreglass ones are a different method altogether Andrea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ViS Posted October 13, 2005 Share Posted October 13, 2005 When you first fill the tank, can you run a daily / weekly chart of pH levels for us please? I take it you'll let it sit without fish in it for a few weeks first? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anchar Posted October 13, 2005 Author Share Posted October 13, 2005 Okies....shall do ....no fish till the pH has stabilised. Andrea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart74 Posted October 13, 2005 Share Posted October 13, 2005 Just a point to note is that fibreglass resin is not suitable for use in any aquarium you will need to find an Epoxy resin that is suitable for a Potable water use Looking fantastic Merjo If you find it does leach too many chemicals into your tank you could always seal it with epoxy resin and throw some sand at it to keep it looking realistic Cheers Stuart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anchar Posted October 16, 2005 Author Share Posted October 16, 2005 While I had the left over bits and pieces, I decided to start another one. This is how it looks after the first coat... Andrea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoliroMan Posted October 16, 2005 Share Posted October 16, 2005 Andrea...looks amazing, better than Universal rocks anyday! And did u know how much that company ask for their pieces? U never cease to amaze me! I think u have found yourself another lucrative business. I am sure many of us will be asking for "Merjo Natural Rockscapes"! Keep up the good work! And remember your friends when u become filthy rich! DAve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parrdog Posted October 16, 2005 Share Posted October 16, 2005 Great stuff Andrea . Your pieces rock!! Any updates on the original piece? Jamie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anchar Posted October 16, 2005 Author Share Posted October 16, 2005 @ Dave...it's still very much in the "developmental" stage. Jamie> I am still drying the original piece. I just want to make sure it is dried right through as there were quite a few coats of cement that went on it. Andrea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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