foamed in levels for my new background wall..ALMOST DONE!

hulk · Post by **hulk** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 3:17 pm

Here is the levels with just the mortar

I placed clear wrap over the rest of the filter to do the lids

when it dried it looked pretty good.

Here the levels with epoxy seal..I put the extra cash for the epoxy to make sure the mortar wouldn't rub off like it did in the thin areas..plus I like the color of it better =) looks more rock like!

The lighter areas I will have to seal cause I added that after the newspaper stuck to it..so that is what happened there haha!

The aquarium rocks come out better in the pools with the epoxy seal also an unexpected twist =) very happy with it.

The tank is still on its side cause the foam is still wet =) just did it now. I have the crap all over me. I will need to do some touch ups though were I got some on areas I didn't want to, but I can easily add mortar and seal it again.

I am going to have some trouble with the silicone and EE on certain hard to reach areas, but I will manage =) I think it looks ok, maybe alittle crowded. It is strange to see all the foam and levels ate the top, but when the EE subtrate is in it won't be so obvious...I am adding another level cause I ran out of foam..with the silicone I guess and then I have to seal it with epoxy and add the silicone and EE..so I guess I am almost done...in another couple of weeks =) this stuff takes time to dry and all. I hope the foam dries soon so I can do my touch up and then hopefully I will have time to seal it tomorrow...then the next Sat. I will try the silicone and EE! That will be the last step. I think I should try to was the Epoxy before add the silicone and EE I am not sure if it needs it, but I want to be safe. I was told the west side epoxy (order from site) was safe to use..when others are not. so I spent 56 bucks on it and shipping. it is worth it cause it looks much better in my opinion..and safe under water for my pools!

What do you think?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 4:29 pm

looks really good hulk, not sure if you've seen my tank or not but I also used the foam/silicone/EE method and the only problem I have with it is them picking the EE off the wall when they climb it I have little white spots everywhere lol

hulk · Post by **hulk** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 8:01 pm

thanks guys! I never thought about them getting the EE off. hmmm maybe I should stick with the mortar? I guess I could always do more martar if it gets too bad? I know I ma going to have problems getting the silicone and EE on some hard to reach areas..so wish me luck =)

wickedannabella · Post by **wickedannabella** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 9:35 pm

Is that foam okay??? Isn't most of that stuff petroleum based?? I'd be worried my hermies would eat it.

ohmeshell · Post by **ohmeshell** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 8:46 am

It looks good, but I have a concern with the foam too. Hopefully everything works out ok!

hulk · Post by **hulk** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 10:57 am

no I checked every product I used to make sure it was safe...plus I am sealing it with epoxy also since it will be humid in the tank and to make sure the silicone sticks really good.

I know it is safe =) I wouldn't harm my critters! I know of many people who used it for terrariums already and all is well. Don't worry.

I touched up today with the rest of my mortar so maybe tomorrow I can seal what I can and maybe try to get the floral attached...somehow. I bought lots of pretty flowers and vines..for hiding purposes and to add color.

I can't wit to see how it looks when the yellow is covered up =)

hulk · Post by **hulk** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 10:43 am

I added the flowers today...so check it out =)

I looks pretty, do you think it is too much? After the tank is done I will add the rest of the driftwood and other things with vines and all. I want to be able to remove some things for cleaning purposes.

Tetracolor · Post by **Tetracolor** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 3:47 pm

Excuse me if I sound ridiculous, is the point of this to cover up the rest of the yellow foam stuff with vines and all? I think it looks gorgeous besides for the atrocious yellow color.

I don't think it is to busy and if you do plan on covering it all up then it should look real natural for them.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 4:33 pm

Boy, I'm still not getting it. It looks to me that the pictures are sideways or upside ':dontknow:'

And I don't understand why you've covered what I assume to be a water or food bowl with the brown stuff. And what's with the yellow. Maybe when you put up pictures of it fully finished so we can what's happening.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 4:42 pm

I think its looking good Hulk, and can't wait to see it all finished!
haha did you guys watch my 125g thread when I was putting it together? that is the same foam I used...Hulk is gonna cover it with silicone and then EE so it will go from looking like this.

to looking like this.

THEN finally fully covered like this.

hulk · Post by **hulk** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 7:55 pm

WOW THOUGHTS!! That is awesome! I wish there was like BLACK foam I could use instead of yellow...I didn't know there was White. =) Yes, I am covering it with black silicone and EE so it will look like dirt, rocks and moss when finished =) there won't be yellow shown at all =) LOL that is too funny. I am about half done actually.

Like I said I am sealing it with Epoxy and then after I try to wash the tank (if I can lift it...hopefully I can get some help I am so soar already

then when it is dry I am doing the silicone and EE...then yeah it will be ready for my crabs!

I don't have any food dishes in there...It is all levels for moss and shells and climbing..the pool is the ramp thing at the bottom. it will have a waterfall and the other will be a regular filter. so the substrate will be filled in up to that level....

well when it is finished it will all come together nicely and then you will be like AHHHH HAAAA I see now. it is hard to picture what it is going to be like.

Thanks Thought for explaining for me. And also for not thinking there are too many flowers and well "girly" hehehe =)~

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 8:36 pm

No problemo! and I like the flowers! I need to add more color to mine, I got greenery but no flowers

hulk · Post by **hulk** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 6:29 pm

I added some clear plastic hooks (tried to hide them between flowers and driftwood) for the vines to get hooked on and for the net, which I haven't completely decided to keep in the new set up or not yet...well I think when the vines get attached it will be hidden better, but I needed some place to hold the vines and be able to remove them also. I figured this was going to be the best way. I still haven't figured out how I am going to epoxy around all the flowers and hook, but I hope I can do it without messing them up.

I will work on it on Saturday. I figure the next two Saturdays and I should be done. I just don't have time to do too much during the week... I have too much going on =)

Glad you like it thoughts..and I really like your tank! I didn't see the pics from when you were doing it.

OH really funny: I showed Matt (5 years old) and he helped with the hermie tank before this one...and most are his crabs (I use to baby sit him =) He is my fiance's sisters boy. He liked the tank and his eyes got big when he saw it...not too mention the tank is on its side so it looks crazy. He said I like it but not the GREEN/yellow stuff on it HAHAHA I told him I would hide it for him

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 12:25 am

hulk wrote:He said I like it but not the GREEN/yellow stuff on it HAHAHA I told him I would hide it for him

Too cute!

hulk · Post by **hulk** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 6:02 pm

I know =)