Joe,
i'm currently using just plain tap water mixed with a little kosher salt (what was left in the kitchen). but i'm going to buy some water-softeners soon and mix them in. i think the key still remains frequent twc's(total
pwc's
). i've also added a large piece of driftwood and three smaller pieces.
believe me, i have scoured the net for info on
diy backgrounds (its not just coincidence that i can bring out these pix and articles
). the consensus on curing is daily water changes. i've even seen vinegar been added. also, patience is a key element...
squishy, i reasons i backed down from a background outside the tank are
- i needed the buffering capabilities of concrete
- i needed whatever small hiding places the background could offer
- i didn't have sufficient space at the back of my tank (the living room is already packed with four other tanks and my roommates are baying for blood)
- i was going to use a AC500 (a
hob), and couldn't find a good way to hide it by the background, an issue that's easily taken care of by in-tank ones.
but, i feel these issues can easily be negated with some planning. i'll eagerly await the results if you decide to build one
.