Diy 3d background w/cave

[Krystle]

55gal turtle tank 3d background progress gotta finish the openings to the cave. It's a 2 compartment cave with peep holes on glass facing end.

 

[Andrew McFadden]

What you have laying down is the back correct?

 

[Krystle]

Yes it is

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Ok just a heads up on the box looking part (landing). You may want to try and stiffen it up. The water pressure pushing up is really strong and I can see that snapping.

 

[Krystle]

Ok just a heads up on the box looking part (landing). You may want to try and stiffen it up. The water pressure pushing up is really strong and I can see that snapping.

That is the base for my filter/waterfall. My boyfriend and I are building a turtle topper. As soon as I get that started ill post pics thanks for the help though. When I get the dock set up would love to hear ur comments and suggestions

 

[Krystle]

This is it in the tank with filter in place.

 

[Andrew McFadden]

This is it in the tank with filter in place.

Looks good
Can't wait to see it finished

 

[Krystle]

Looks good
Can't wait to see it finished

Thanks can't wait either! I know my turtles are gonna love it!!!

 

[Krystle]

Help!!! Just did first coat of concrete and it's not comin out the way I thought it would. Maybe my concrete wasn't thick enough. Never worked with concrete before. I used quick set and I couldn't get it to mix with water there was always a layer on the bottom of my bucket. And it seemed to just roll off the styro and it came out really lite. Please help!

 

[Krystle]

Ok just thickened it up a bit and painted it on the still wet from before and it's lookin much better!! Will post pics shortly. Gotta clean up this giant mess lol

 

[Krystle]

Ok this is after repair. Missed a couple spots inside the cave but I'll get those on the next coat

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Ok this is after repair. Missed a couple spots inside the cave but I'll get those on the next coat

Looks great so far

How many coats are you planning on doing?

 

[Krystle]

Thanks, freaked out for sec lol. Never used concrete in my life! But I will probably do 4 at least. Planning on doing the next slightly thin then thick then medium.

 

[Krystle]

Thicker coat. One more then the color coat for detail. Any suggestions on the gaps between sections?

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Just fill it full of quickrete or silicon then quickrete. That's what I would do. I'm still scared that its going to break from the water pressure. I'll have to see it all in lol can't wait

 

[Krystle]

K cool thats what I was thinking. Appreciate all the help

 

[Andrew McFadden]

K cool thats what I was thinking. Appreciate all the help

No problem I edited my post above lol

 

[Krystle]

Yeah that's what I was afraid of. I'll just have to be sure to silicone it nice n good

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Yeah that's what I was afraid of. I'll just have to be sure to silicone it nice n good

Oooo ya you'll need to. You will want to cover any part that touches glass and not a little I mean like the entire section then once its in place go around all the edges and silicon it. And just hope it stays put mine broke lose the first time and scratched the front glass ( that drives me crazy) so I used a couple more tubes and let it sit out a few days to dry before adding water.

 

[Krystle]

scratches are the worst!!!!!! Thanks for the tip! I'll be sure to pic up some more tubes of silicone