1000+ Gallon Display Plywood/Fiberglass Build

[dhaquaman]

updates?

 

[Dweezil]

Yes Matt we need updates now! haha You're not slackin are ya?

 

[sneaks03]

He's too busy swimming in his tank.

 

[redsea reefer]

He's too busy swimming in his tank.

LOL....:laughroll

 

[BigJay]

seriously that tank is just soo sick! I think I said that 20 pages ago but I just had to repeat it.

 

[sneaks03]

Matt take the scuba gear off and give us some updates please!!!!

 

[brikeibur]

OMG this tank is really awesome.

I am so jealous...I just wish I had a room/house large enough for something like that...how fun!!

Although, I would have to win the lottery first...while I can see you did it the money-saving DIY method, stocking it with fish/corals is gonna be where the real money comes in.....

BEAUTIFUL tank....I look forward to seeing more.

 

[djrufio]

something has happened to Matt! We need a Aquatic Search and Rescue team stat!

 

[sneaks03]

You know I was beginning to think the same thing...I'm digging out the scuba gear...lol

 

[bskinn77]

something has happened to Matt! We need a Aquatic Search and Rescue team stat!

lol this is funny

 

[wazzifam]

Skuba team needs may need more air tanks....:scram:

 

[MattShack]

Rescue team found me

I have been slacking a little Been working on my real job.

I have also been doing a few experiments trying to figure out how to do a background. This past weekend, I figured out something and gave it a try. I started the background last night and I think it's going to turn out fine. I plan on posting some pics by the end of the weekend.

 

[sneaks03]

Whew found him and it took almost my entire tank of air. Almost lost me as well...lol...J/K. Glad to see you made it back bud, can't wait to see the background.

 

[wazzifam]

So glad we didnt need to break into the extra tank stash!
Welcome back
looking forward to the background shots!!

 

[MattShack]

Finally an update

I've been working on some type of background. I originally tried to put a thin layer of the same mix I used for the rocks on some of the fiberglass mat I had left over. The mix was too dry and didn't stick. It peeled off in sheets. I spent a few days thinking of other ideas when it hit me. Why not try to stick the pieces that peeled off to the wall. So, what I did was put some plastic down and poured two large areas of thin DIY rock. The plastic gave the rocks a flat back.

This is the background after I finished laying all of the cement.

I broke the pieces off and used Great Stuff foam to stick them to the walls.

 

[MattShack]

I let the foam cure over night and tested the bond. I couldn't remove them if I wanted to. I couldn't get them to budge. I'll consider it a permenant bond.

I then filled in between the glued on pieces with some more cement mix. Throwing it into the cracks made the job much easier and faster. I started off trying to place the cement in each crack and it was too smooth. Throwing it gave it the same finish as the rocks.

 

[MattShack]

This is what it looks like now. I thought about using foam, but I was a little concerned about how long it would last. I figured the cement gives the walls the same look as the aquascape.

 

[MattShack]

Before:

After:

 

[MattShack]

I'm going to let the cement cure for a few days and get in there and peel off the foam that squeezed through some of the holes to clean it up.

But, now I also have to wait for 28 days for the cement on the walls to cure before I can fill the aquarium and cure the rocks and background underwater. I wish I could do it faster, but I don't want to rush it.

I plan on filling the tank and starting that process on Oct 17th.

 

[bdesper311]

Wow, this is truly amazing... I have been following along for almost 6 weeks and each update I think that it cannot get any better! And by the way I have just marked Oct 17 on my calander to watch for updates!