I have a question for Chris, Matt cambell, or others who have experience with using concrete to build cages.

First, what I'm doing. I'm building yet another large cage for water dragons. The water are is 8 feet long 18 inches long and 10 inches deep. First I built a wooden frame. Next I installed a 45mil pond liner complete with a drain. I have done this in the past and it worked fine, until I dropped a branch that punctured the liner. So this time I want to have a thin concrete shell above the liner, to protect it, make it more natural looking and give the animals some grip. I have already installed metal lathe on top of the liner. I'm now ready to make the concrete shell.

What type of concrete should I use? I have read several articles, and even bought J. Erik Kinkade's book "Artificial rock waterfalls". The book does not specify the type of cement to use. Rex Lee Sercey had a nice article a while back in Reptiles magazine, and he says to use "plastic cement". I went to Lowes and Home Depot and they don't carry it, and when I ask they look at me funny. I was told to tile grout and mix it with an acrylic polymer by one builder. The guy at Lowes says to use Hydraulic patch cement. I just don't know what to do.

Can someone tell me what mix to use? I do have a gallon of $120 pool paint that I can use, but it is white, so I'd rather not paint the pool bed. I am not concerned with ph and leaching, I know putting vinager in the water and letting it sit for awhile helps.

What do you guys recomend?
Thanks,
Paul Kemes

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