"Okinawa" project

[jclee]

I've always wanted to try my hand at tank-making, but it's quite intimidating to think of starting off. Please keep the detailed, step-by-step descriptions coming. Ideas are bubbling in my head for a possible project next summer. This really is awesome!

 

[grius]

Hi Sludgemonkey.

How does the project come along? it is time to continue building

Regards

 

[SludgeMunkey]

I have a long weekend with nothing to do. Okinawa project is on the top of my list, so more pictures in the next 72 hours for sure!

The concrete is all cured. Problems with the Great Stuff expanding foam have been fixed. Also, I purchased a proper miter box so I can cut 45 degree angles perfectly now.

 

[grius]

I have a long weekend with nothing to do. Okinawa project is on the top of my list, so more pictures in the next 72 hours for sure!

The concrete is all cured. Problems with the Great Stuff expanding foam have been fixed. Also, I purchased a proper miter box so I can cut 45 degree angles perfectly now.

Good, you have much fun work ahead! i look forward to see more after this 72ours

What did you have for problemes? did it expanded after you had put concrete on?

 

[SludgeMunkey]

Good, you have much fun work ahead! i look forward to see more after this 72ours

What did you have for problemes? did it expanded after you had put concrete on?

Yes it did, even after curing in direct sunlight in hot summer temperatures for a month! That is why I will not be using the expanding foam on future projects.

 

[grius]

Yes it did, even after curing in direct sunlight in hot summer temperatures for a month! That is why I will not be using the expanding foam on future projects.

I have used expanding foam 2-3times and are not a big fan of the material! i it is easier with hard- foam plates that dont even smell or stick to about everything! so i understand you.

I also saw a swedish thread about a expanding foam faux background where the concrete had start to crack a few years after, and that is not so fun hehe.

 

[SludgeMunkey]

OK...here we go..finally got around to actually doing some work on this bad boy.

And boy, did I make headway!

So here is where the project stands right now:

Here is the final coat of true Tapecrete. Notice it is white as compared to the acrylic concrete I used for the first coats. This stuff has a very short working time, so you have to move quickly before it dries.

Here is the first few coats of paint. Same brand as I always use, Liquitex BASICS Acrylic. Some Black, a bit or raw umber, some burnt umber, and some white.

After a few hours of work, and a ton of dry brushing and sponge painting, here is the finished paint.

Then I completed the frame. After careful consideration, I made a few more minor changes to give the finished project more of a Zoo Enclosure look. (Note: the enclosure is laying on its back)

And here we have a size comparison of the frame and the bedrock base/waterfall. The open areas on the floor will be the water feature. the open areas on the walls will be a coir mat covered with tons of live plants.

(The frame is still laying on its back, the rocks are upright. I did not realize this till I started writing this post...)

 

[NV]

This is awesome. I did something "similar" for one of my lake tangyanikan cichlid tanks. The hardest part was the carving of the rocks hands down. I used quickcrete as it was what was recommended to me by the "pond" builders at my local menards. It worked phenominally, but I just used tint, I wish I would have been advised that there are aquatically safe paints.

Cannot wait to see it completed!

 

[NewtZoo]

Hey Monkey!
This is awesome! Thanks for posting! I have been looking into tapecrete for a while know and had the same problems. Great job posting all your secrets. Im going out to buy some quickcrete tonight!. Hope to see more picks!