6ft paludarium journal- pictures

[eddy planer]

thanks for the info and happy 2010 to everyone too .

can the waterproof cement be able to achieve a smoother texture ?

hi limz

My answer is yes, waterproof cement can achieve a smoother texture if no construction sand is present. But i still prefer to mixed construction sand with waterproof cement to give me some rough surface and any mosses or creepers will easy to anchor on the rocky support base.

[dkk08]

Hi folks,

There are few lessons that I'd nasty experienced through this monster palu and would like to share with you guys.

1.You know my palu is filtered: tank (inlet pump of 2800l/hr)-sump (with 5kg of mini bacteria house and 2kg of charcoal) - outlet pump of 3000l/hr - Laguna canister with UV light(4 kg of mini bacteria house) -tank

The inlet pump is hidden inside the rocky base support. So you know I had already done the top base filled with composite soil,peat, sand and laid out everything composite base and lapis sand . So I ran for a day to check any abnormally situation and to my horror. Guess what happen, my inlet pump seems not working inspite of switch power off and on, still no improvement.

And i have to tear it down by cleared all the composite base, peat and fertilizer before lifting the whole rocky support to check my pump. I realized that my inlet pump got struck by the composite base which has leeches from the support. So problem has resolved by add green washing dishes sponge inside the pump to prevent any composite base or sand creep in.

To reinstall the inlet pump back, this time i have to clear the mixture sand and base to allow the rocky support base a better and even standing and took me the whole evening till dawn. During this situation has created brownish muddy water! I did the water changing at least 5x to clear muddy water, no improvement. I did add clear aid solution.

So I realized this muddy water require filtering and I added a fine filter to clear soil composite. So i added every sump's compartments with white fine filter and it work like wonder! Within 8 hrs, all the white fine filter stained with brownish mud.Did the washing of filter 2x a day, daily till the water is much clearer than before.

2. My top glass panels been customised- made to create a high RH to allow my flora to live better. But I place my 2 units of 54W 4x T5 HO on top of the glass panel and cracked the top glass panel, not once but twice! Due to my lighting system that generate alot of heat. So I replaced 2 set of tempered glass panels.

Hope this will help you , folks

Let me know your thoughts

I know that feeling Eddy... that's y I always try to make the inlet/outlet accessible in case of any emergency...

as for the cover, so far I'm lucky as I've not have any cracked covers as I'm using both acrylics and glass as covers and I've 8 x 39W + 8 x 24W T5 HO...

Maybe for the covers we can use wooden frames + somehow use stainless steel mesh...

[dkk08]

hi limz

My answer is yes, waterproof cement can achieve a smoother texture if no construction sand is present. But i still prefer to mixed construction sand with waterproof cement to give me some rough surface and any mosses or creepers will easy to anchor on the rocky support base.

Hey Eddy, can take a pic of the cement you're using as I'm thinking of playing with cement on my next project

[learner]

Transparent, beige and black silicon and also GS foam spray.

Hi Eddy,

Amazing job with your vivarium. May I know where you got your GS from? Is it expensive?

Good luck with your project. Waiting to see more updates!

Cheers

[eddy planer]

Hi Eddy,

Amazing job with your vivarium. May I know where you got your GS from? Is it expensive?

Good luck with your project. Waiting to see more updates!

Cheers

Happy New 2010 to you! bro learner.

Thanks for the complimentary.

GS or actually common known as Great Stuff is the US brand of foam spray, we cannot find this GS brand in Spore's market. So I'm using Bostik brand, Expanda Foam from Germany, cost me SGD13.50 per bottle but bro VRAtenza said he bought SGD7-8 at Ubi.

I'm actually going to ask this bro VRAtenza to buy at least 10 bottles for my next project in late May or June.

[learner]

Thanks for your quick reply!!

Waiting to see your next project!!

[eddy planer]

Hey Eddy, can take a pic of the cement you're using as I'm thinking of playing with cement on my next project

Yo bro,

Happy New 2010 to you!

errr, i bought this grey waterproof cement mortar with mixture of construction sand in 2kg packet for SGD4 from one stop construction hardware in Changi Drive.

As for the pic of grey cement, i'm very sure that you have seen how cement look like grey flour. Ok i give you some tips for you to test and trail with cement. Use 4 parts of cement mix with 1 part of water, will gave you perfect mixture not watery nor lump up like a ball.

remember please wear a pair rubber gloves to play around with cement or else your hand will get rashes due to our hand's sensitive skin reaction.

Hope this will help you.

[Blue Whale]

=) can use disposable bowls, ice cream sticks as cement picker, sprays to control the amount of water. I did that with my white cement. And because you have both grey cement and sand now, I supposed you could keep two plastic containers (those big one for CNY tibits), put two plastic spoons inside. Since both the bowls and ice cream sticks you can disposed it after few round use, you can always use a new set the next round. Normally you will just use for one or two rounds as these are really tiring DIY jobs. If you are sculpting with your hands, yes, gloves would be prefer to. But not too thick as it is hindrance to movement also. Try those disposable handgloves which the hawkers are using. Just hope they don't tear easily.

[dkk08]

Yo bro,

Happy New 2010 to you!

errr, i bought this grey waterproof cement mortar with mixture of construction sand in 2kg packet for SGD4 from one stop construction hardware in Changi Drive.

As for the pic of grey cement, i'm very sure that you have seen how cement look like grey flour. Ok i give you some tips for you to test and trail with cement. Use 4 parts of cement mix with 1 part of water, will gave you perfect mixture not watery nor lump up like a ball.

remember please wear a pair rubber gloves to play around with cement or else your hand will get rashes due to our hand's sensitive skin reaction.

Hope this will help you.

thanks Eddy, will go source for the water proof cement mortar... can't wait to get my hands dirty again

[Blue Whale]

^_^ I hope you also have sculpting tools too. I had to file and sandpaper each blocks before doing spray painting. Some of these tools look like nail files, some look like key files. Basically if you goto Pasat Malam (Night Market), you can just walk around, you could just spot some cheap tools which are usable. Don't have to get branded ones. I got my files for $6.50 Diamond tools. Very fine and small ones.

[eddy planer]

=) can use disposable bowls, ice cream sticks as cement picker, sprays to control the amount of water. I did that with my white cement. And because you have both grey cement and sand now, I supposed you could keep two plastic containers (those big one for CNY tibits), put two plastic spoons inside. Since both the bowls and ice cream sticks you can disposed it after few round use, you can always use a new set the next round. Normally you will just use for one or two rounds as these are really tiring DIY jobs. If you are sculpting with your hands, yes, gloves would be prefer to. But not too thick as it is hindrance to movement also. Try those disposable handgloves which the hawkers are using. Just hope they don't tear easily.

As for the white plaster to get a perfect texture, 4 parts(cups) of plaster and 1 part(cup)of water. Still the same apply to grey cement mixture or just plain mortar cement.

But be warn, after curing of cement mixture or plain cement or plaster. The whole support used to be weight less 2kg but with the cured cement mixture , the whole rocky support weight down almost 10kg! To made the matter worse,if the rocky support seems too heavy to load into the tank and once you slip it, will badly scratch the tank's glass or even crack it if ones not careful.

[Blue Whale]

^o^Y For mua's white cement, it is 4 part white powder, 4 part water spray, the amount is lesser. Yes, Eddy made a very valid point on the weight itself. Anyone trying out should do a test first. Personally I drop it into a coca cola cup (Clear glass, the MacDonalds cup), use a lip to cover, measure the ph, watch the cup for around two weeks or so for crumpling, bubbling, change of water color and ph before I decided to deploy. One extra step I took is to file and the sides, the bottom. Normally when it comes out of a mould, the top side is very smooth, so make sure the spread is even. I also have a wooden plank to temporary become my workbench. You know, it gets messy at time. I have a brush to sweep the extra particles into the dustbin below my table.

[blackBRUSHalgae]

Hello Eddy and any other fellow hobbyist who might use expanded or spray polyurethane foam, please exercise some precautions when you use this material (credits to wikipedia)

• Most of all, with the exception of cementitious foams, release toxic fumes when they burn.[14]
• According to the US EPA, there is insufficient data to accurately assess the potential for exposures to the toxic and environmentally harmful isocyanates which constitute 50% of the foam material.[15]
• Depending on usage and building codes, most foams require protection with a thermal barrier such as drywall on the interior of a house. For example a 15-minute fire rating may be required.
• Can shrink slightly while curing if not applied on a substrate heated to manufacturer's recommended temperature.
• Although CFCs are no longer used, many use HCFCs or HFCs as blowing agents. Both are potent greenhouse gases, and HCFCs have some ozone depletion potential.
• Most, such as Polyurethane and Isocyanate insulation, contain hazardous chemicals such as benzene and toluene. These are a potential hazard and environmental concern during raw material production, transport, manufacture, and installation.[16][17]
• Many foam insulations are made from petrochemicals and may be a concern for those seeking to reduce the use of fossil fuels and oil. However, some foams are becoming available that are made from renewable or recycled sources.[18]
• Most foams require protection from sunlight and solvents.
• It is difficult to retrofit some foams to an existing building structure because of the chemicals and processes involved.
• If one does not wear a protective mask or goggles, it is possible to temporarily impair one's vision. (2-5days)

[eddy planer]

[QUOTE I have a brush to sweep the extra particles into the dustbin below my table.[/QUOTE]

For me I use a 450W Karcher wet/dry vacuum cleaner to do the job, same goes to clear the recent collapsed 422 tank which spitted all over my balcony floor filled with broken glasses,lapis sand, composite soil and water easily.

Use brush to sweep still cannot clean the stained cement patches.

[eddy planer]

Hello Eddy and any other fellow hobbyist who might use expanded or spray polyurethane foam, please exercise some precautions when you use this material (credits to wikipedia)

• Most of all, with the exception of cementitious foams, release toxic fumes when they burn.[14]
• According to the US EPA, there is insufficient data to accurately assess the potential for exposures to the toxic and environmentally harmful isocyanates which constitute 50% of the foam material.[15]
• Depending on usage and building codes, most foams require protection with a thermal barrier such as drywall on the interior of a house. For example a 15-minute fire rating may be required.
• Can shrink slightly while curing if not applied on a substrate heated to manufacturer's recommended temperature.
• Although CFCs are no longer used, many use HCFCs or HFCs as blowing agents. Both are potent greenhouse gases, and HCFCs have some ozone depletion potential.
• Most, such as Polyurethane and Isocyanate insulation, contain hazardous chemicals such as benzene and toluene. These are a potential hazard and environmental concern during raw material production, transport, manufacture, and installation.[16][17]
• Many foam insulations are made from petrochemicals and may be a concern for those seeking to reduce the use of fossil fuels and oil. However, some foams are becoming available that are made from renewable or recycled sources.[18]
• Most foams require protection from sunlight and solvents.
• It is difficult to retrofit some foams to an existing building structure because of the chemicals and processes involved.
• If one does not wear a protective mask or goggles, it is possible to temporarily impair one's vision. (2-5days)

Thanks for updated us awareness and some precautions dealing with this foam spray.

I truly aware of this situation for long time,that is why all cured foam is best to be protected by mortar cement, silicon and epoxy from heat.

I work with this foam spray with great caution and made sure my 3 kids are not around me while working. I usually wear a pair of surgeon glove to work and use a fan to blow me while working with foam spray to prevent me from inhale benzene and toluene that will cause cancer inducing.

So bros, be very careful working , if you guys are not too sure handling this, just ask me and I'll be more than glad to assist or train you to handle such hazard project.

[learner]

Hi Eddy,

1 more question: I was at the hardware store and the lady was telling me to get a small can of the foam if I don't need too much as it cannot be stored.

Is it true?

Thanks!

[eddy planer]

Hi Eddy,

1 more question: I was at the hardware store and the lady was telling me to get a small can of the foam if I don't need too much as it cannot be stored.

Is it true?

Thanks!

Hi learner

Mind ask you what is the brand of the foam spray?

Yes or No, i must say, you see when you use the foam spray and use only a small portion and there maybe 1/2 can remain left. Yes is still can only stored for 5 days at the most but No is the foam get cured and harden inside the can 's transfer tube which after you used.So to spray through the blockage of nozzle tube is almost impossible.

Therefore, after you used and still 1/2 can remain, you need to use satay stick or bamboo stick to clear or push the remain foam inside the nozzle tube out just after you complete your job. then my answer is Yes, you can keep for 5 days only.

May I ask what kind of project that you are working on?

Let me know your thoughts

[limz_777]

Yo bro,

Happy New 2010 to you!

errr, i bought this grey waterproof cement mortar with mixture of construction sand in 2kg packet for SGD4 from one stop construction hardware in Changi Drive.

As for the pic of grey cement, i'm very sure that you have seen how cement look like grey flour. Ok i give you some tips for you to test and trail with cement. Use 4 parts of cement mix with 1 part of water, will gave you perfect mixture not watery nor lump up like a ball.

remember please wear a pair rubber gloves to play around with cement or else your hand will get rashes due to our hand's sensitive skin reaction.

Hope this will help you.

i actually did enquire grout from a shop before which sell mainly tiles , but what they sell was a big bag of 25kg only , didnt need so much so i didnt buy it , was the 2 kg cement mortar you bought come premixed with sand , meaning upon request or ready packed ?

[eddy planer]

i actually did enquire grout from a shop before which sell mainly tiles , but what they sell was a big bag of 25kg only , didnt need so much so i didnt buy it , was the 2 kg cement mortar you bought come premixed with sand , meaning upon request or ready packed ?

Yes , you're right. They sold 2kg ready packed premixed waterproof cement mortar with sand.

I already forgotten what the name of the hardware which is locate along Changi Drive. If you're interested let me know, but not now I'll be away for biz trip for couple of days tomorrow.

[eddy planer]

Hi folks,

My updated palu of 1 month old, look a little mature, but still acceptable ..

here you are:



comments, please?