My First Shot at Making a Rock Module

[Afreakin]

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k1/vchop/photo-1.jpg

I used stucco that is colored, anyone know if it will be fish safe?

[Pete]

No idea. But wow, that looks great!

[Tony]

Holy crap. Missed this thread. Looks really awesome!

What are you putting it in? How'd you do it?

[triscuit]

Looks great, but I don't think stucco was the way to go. While I haven't tried it, I'm concerned about two things- stucco is highly permeable and often contains acrylics and other compounds that may leach into the water. The stucco sealants used for exterior applications aren't mean to protect stucco underwater, and probably aren't fish safe either.

So- while my concerns are purely speculative, I wouldn't risk any fish on finding out if stucco is safe.

[triscuit]

Then- there's the issue of stucco sticking to your base- look at any house with stucco and you'll see the results of water damage to the stucco siding...:coz:

Do you know anyone who's tried stucco underwater?

[dogofwar]

I think drylok would be better...

Matt

Then- there's the issue of stucco sticking to your base- look at any house with stucco and you'll see the results of water damage to the stucco siding...:coz:

Do you know anyone who's tried stucco underwater?

[m1ke715m]

I think drylok would be better...

Matt

yea thats what mine are made with.. drylok and masonry paint mixed to obtain the color you want

[dogofwar]

I'm pretty sure that drylok can be tinted (like paint) to the desired color. Anyone know for sure?

Matt

yea thats what mine are made with.. drylok and masonry paint mixed to obtain the color you want

[Tony]

I'm pretty sure that drylok can be tinted (like paint) to the desired color. Anyone know for sure?

Matt

Never done it myself, but read plenty of threads over on the big forum about folks tinting drylock.

Afreakin - I know that it's redundant, but I would cover the whole thing with drylock to seal off the stucco. It looks awesome now, but if it were me, I'd take the extra step to make sure it's safe for your boys.

[Afreakin]

Never done it myself, but read plenty of threads over on the big forum about folks tinting drylock.

Afreakin - I know that it's redundant, but I would cover the whole thing with drylock to seal off the stucco. It looks awesome now, but if it were me, I'd take the extra step to make sure it's safe for your boys.

Point well taken

I haven't done anything more since because I am thinking how to install the modules without emptying the tank

I know they make water ready adhesives but I have no experience with them

[triscuit]

With most of these DIY things, you will need to leach the background for a week or more before the concrete is fish safe. And, the only adhesives I would recommend do require an empty tank.


Last- and not to rain on your parade any more than necessary, I'm not convinced that concrete will seal off the stucco, or prevent the stucco from breaking off the backing material. Also, concrete doesn't stick to stucco all that well from my (very limited) experience.

[joe_jaskot]

Anyone ever try using expanding pond waterfall foam? It is fish safe, lightweight, and sticks to everything except silicone. It can be colored and textured with sand before drying.

[Tony]

Anyone ever try using expanding pond waterfall foam? It is fish safe, lightweight, and sticks to everything except silicone. It can be colored and textured with sand before drying.

Never seen it before. Is it similar to "great Stuff?"


(Sorry for the "edit" note above on your post, Joe...meant to click quote and hit edit instead. Nothing has been changed.)

[joe_jaskot]

Never seen it before. Is it similar to "great Stuff?"




Same type of foam, but fish safe. Made for ponds.

[Afreakin]

Same type of foam, but fish safe. Made for ponds.

Any links Joe?

[joe_jaskot]

Any links Joe?
Here's one:
http://www.macarthurwatergardens.com/Atlantic_Skimmers/black-waterfall-foam-dp-atl.shtml

I picked up a case of it. Going to try it out on a small tank to see how it works out.

[triscuit]

oooh- that stuff looks awesome- here's a build thread using the same stuff.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1437901

I didn't get all the way through it, but the epoxy used there may have the same benefits: if it can seal great stuff, I'm pretty sure it can seal stucco.

[1badradboy]

Thanks for posting the link to the reef build - awesome build with a tankload of great ideas.

[dogofwar]

I don't think that you need to allow drylok to "cure"...just paint it on...let it dry...paint again...and let it dry...then rinse...and good to use...

This is different than portland cement or quikcrete (which require curing before use).

Anyone have any contrary experience?

Thanks,
Matt