concrete overflow cover

[jaze36]

Here is my latest project. I found the info for this at this site.

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_aquarium_background.php

I realize this might not be the project for everyone, but I thought it had a lot of potential so I gave it a shot, and really like the results.

The first pic is of 2 experiments I did to get the hang of the process and see if I would like the way it would look.

The next is of the foam I started with. Some left over insulation foam and white foam I found.

Here is the glass overflow I installed in the tank

Then the tank was painted. Here is the insulation foam siliconed to the glass overflow. I roughed it up before attaching it.

Then I siliconed on the other foam and added great stuff insulation foam to give it added texture.

 

[jallard]

real cool!

 

[jaze36]

Then I started to add the concrete. I used white quickcrete qiuck wall and quickcrete buff colorant to get the right color. I tried to match uncured fiji live rock. Here are the final results in water soaking to help reduce the ph pf the concrete.

Here is a top down shot.

I'm very happy with the results. I look forward to seeing some coraline grow on it and it blend inwith the real live rock. It also gives me more space to attach corals. What does everyone think

 

[TA]

Looks great, Steve.
How long will it need to soak?
Looks like it took up alot of space (up to the front glass?).
Do you need to be concerned at all about the foam (toxic at all?)? I assume water is not meant to works it way in there. And if it does?

Definately better lookin' than an overflow!

:thumbsup:

 

[jaze36]

Thanks Tony. It will need to soak a month maybe more. It needs to soak till the ph comes down to a reasonable level. It does take up space but there is still about 6" or so between the ledges that stick out and the glass. I wanted the whole overflow covered and I figured if I stacked live rock in such a narrow tank I would never make it to the top. As for toxins I am not to concerened. There is a big long thread in the diy forum where people use nothing but the great stuff foam for their whole backgroung and cover it with nothing and they do not have a problem. Some tanks have been up for years. People have also used concrete to make diy base rock. I see this as a combination of these different techniques. I don't think I have to worry about any toxic pockets being formed, it is pretty soild. Trust me I thought about this since the begining of the summer, and really weighed out all options. If something does go wrong, I don't know.

 

[upstatedave]

very cool Steve....I like it....

 

[scorp1on]

Nice way to conceal the over flow with a natural look. Wonder if it could be done in such a way to still use the overflow. Bet that is a pain

 

[jallard]

as far as i can tell the ovflow is functional

 

[jaze36]

The overflow still works, water just flows over the top of the concrete

 

[Krazy]

Steve,

That is very cool, I think you'll love it and it makes a great hitch post for corals !!

 

[scorp1on]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8223302#post8223302 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jaze36
The overflow still works, water just flows over the top of the concrete

:bum: Oh ok. I thought this was to completely cover it up, since it wasn't being used. Silly me