experimenting with acrylic terracing (90x40x90)

[BFG]

Got a question for you. What's to prevent those acrylics from moving forward if you fill them with sands and ferts?

[JT]

Its not so easy, esp if u want to do turns and bends. For straight contour, u can use those small black clips which they use for the seperators - to hold in place. (During the Luohan trend)
Else, patience...need some moulding of the shape. I did mine using silicon...glue them all - portion by portion. ie. bend the second part n glue the 1st part and wait for curing. Took me about 3 to 4 weeks to complete mine - 4ft Tank.

[azurehalcyon]

haha! heres where i exhibit my genius . Its actually very simple, these 2 pics will explain.

for the short terraces:

where red represents another acrylic piece heated n moulded to the contours of the terrace, then glued on with silicon adhesive.

for the taller terraces:

where red represents a board. in this case, my now defunct undergravel filter. I drilled holes to the sides of the terrace n tied the board with cable ties.

Thus, when i fill up the terracing with sand, the sand holds the terrace in place.

[azurehalcyon]

JT,
u dont really need to break up the acrylic n reglue them again. The wonder of acrylic lies in its thermal properties. It dosent burn as easily as other plastics. insted, it softens if applied a steady heat source. With that u can get more natural shapes(bumps n depressions). the guy from qian hu told me he used a blowtorch, but i found out the stove works just as well. Heat, nevermind if it bubbles, then bend it into the shape u want. then, quickly immerse in a tub of water to set it in place. n u can redo it if ur not happy. i do suggest a thermal mitten while heatin it tho.

[azurehalcyon]

[quote:140b734d0a="geoffrey"]You may want to consider planting into pots and hide them behind your terraces instead of filling your terraces with substrate and planting on it.
[/quote:140b734d0a]
hi geoffry,
thats a nice idea, but i thought potting a plant restricts root growth? advice ive heard was to remove the pots n plant directly.. anyone's view on this? Is it possible to pot a plant n still ensure good root growth?

[geoffrey]

The pots I refer to are not those that come with the sale of the plants. I am referring to bigger ones used commonly for cacti or succulent. You can fill it up with substrate and plant on them.

You may need a bigger pot for Echinodorus or Aponogeton because they are rather big plants.

There are some photo on Diana Walstad's setup using pots some where but I could not find it. That will give you a better picture.

[juggler]

That potted plant picture is here http://aquabotanicwetthumb.infopop.c...p;m=8456062965

[azurehalcyon]

oH DEAR.
Ive just read the instructions of my silicon sealant for the first time. States:"...not suitable for sealing water containtment structures or for permanent water immersions"
What am i gonna do? Ive spent HOURs to glue the sand and rock to the acrylic.

Does anyone know if theres any diff between "aquarium" silicone and "industrial" silicone? What are the harms in using industrial? Will it poison the water or will it dissolve in water? Do i have to Redo the whole thing again? ive just bought lots of plants n wanted to start with planting today, but just found out bout this. Now dont dare to do anything!!!
PLEASE HELP!!!!

[vinz]

Can't help much but I have a suggestion... while you wait for replies here, do a search and see if you can find the manufacturer's website and their email address. Ask them. They should know best.

[azurehalcyon]

SALVATION!!
PROBLEM:Been reading the net for ingredients of silicone, found out that some actually contain ARSENIC to kill moulds. Sure as Heck dont want it in my tank !!!!

SOLUTION: Polyurethane varnish! as i read, its used to seal bogwood to prevent it from leaching tannins. Same principle for my silicone disaster. 2-3 coats... WALAH!! no more poison.

Add'l probs: Im plannin to grow moss on the tetrracing. anyone know if the varnish will prevent the moss from growin properly
more importantly, is VARNISH safe? anyone reccomend a suitable brand? dont want to trade one poison for another...

[bclee]

The non-aquarium safe sealant would probably leach NH3 too. There are sealants out there for aquarium use which can withstand prolong submersion and do not leach harmful stuff.

BC

[azurehalcyon]

[quote:53f8b88b="geoffrey"]The pots I refer to are not those that come with the sale of the plants. I am referring to bigger ones used commonly for cacti or succulent. You can fill it up with substrate and plant on them.[/quote:53f8b88b]
so u mean those clay types with a hole at the bottom? in other words, isolation from the rest of the substrate? idea: that might work in providing an oxy deficient area for the rusted nails trick(in fert. sectn)! Anyway to share ive read that ppl do double potting(one pot in another) to prevent gravel from caving back into the hole when u remove teh 1st pot. thks juggler 4 teh pics