Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi guys... need some helpful input. I've been wanting to install backgrounds into some of my cages. For the tropical and semi tropical I have been using the GS and coco bedding method (w/ wood and plants inserted appropriately) but no water feature. Now it seems I'm going to need a water feature (the front 2/3's of the tank 10's and 15 Hi's mostly). Got 2 new baby Oscars and there HUNTING all the other fish in the tank so everybody's gonna get put into separate water feature in other tanks. My questions are these... I've seen others use GS to create water features... does it hold up to constant wetness and still RETAIN the water? Yes yes I know the GS is covered by silicon just have to ask. The other question, I also like the faux rock backgrounds(adhesive tile grout and acrylic cement fortifier) I've seen here and wonder if those materials can be used in an aquatic or semi-aquatic environment. I've only seen them used in arid settings. I mean will any harmful chemicals leach out with constant exposure to humidity/dampness and water?
Also, I'm planning on having several of these tanks so I figured it would make sense to use a centralized filtration source (i.e. a sump). The tanks will all have a false bottom so there will be internal filtration with the plant roots and biological filtration w/ the gravel and LECA. Any idea or opinions on how to set up the plumbing for this? How do I maintain constant and appropriate water levels in each enclosure? Is it just a matter of regulating the intake out take flow? HELP!!

I believe I have seen the coco bedding method used in paladria on European sites, but I'm not 100% sure about that. Maybe spend some time on google using keyword combinations from [terrarium, flevopol, paladrium, hypertufa]. Be prepared to doing a lot of translating with google's language tools and a lot of reading.

Cement foam backgrounds are used in fish tanks quite a bit. I think you are a bit limited when it comes to the concrete coatings, specifically avoiding any concrete products with mold inhibitors, etc. Cichlid-Forum.com is a great place to read about DIY backgrounds.

Not sure if I have enough information to help you with your water level and plumbing issues.
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Currently keeping:

6.10 Gonyosoma oxycephala (Javan, mixed colors)

1.1 Philodryas baroni

1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback

Hey thanx...appreciate the quick response. Actually the recipe I got is Polyblended Tile Grout and instead of water u mix it with acrylic cement fortifier, but I will definitely check out those sites u listed. I'd put up pics but I don't know how to shrink my pics to fit on pethobbyist.

I think the fish people avoid tile grouts since they tend to have a lot of additives. Poly blended concretes with acrylic fortifiers are used safely. I just don't remember specific products.

BTW, the Euros use the acrylic fortifiers mixed with peat to do the same thing you're doing with silicone and cocco. Anyone who has tried both says that using the acrylic fortifier is much easier than smearing silicone.

But you should do the search and read it for yourself.
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Currently keeping:

6.10 Gonyosoma oxycephala (Javan, mixed colors)

1.1 Philodryas baroni

1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback