Myrtle
Member
The build started this weekend with the construction of the corner HMF. Pipework is still lacking.
Then came several hours of cutting out random bits of cardboard for templates for the bank.
I wanted the bank to sit a few inches away from the filter to avoid dead spots, so even though it will look as if the hardscape takes up a lot of space, it actually won't as in reality it will only be an inch or so thick for the majority of the height. I'm hoping that leaving this space will both help with flow and remove and small gaps that livestock might get stuck in. I used correx to construct the framework for the bank:
This was then covered in expanding foam and carved into shape. I got carried away at this point and stopped taking photos. Once all the shiny bits were carved away (the silicone won't stick to this) and the shape was what I wanted, I started the really messy bit! Marine grade silicone was smeared all over and then crushed tropica substrate was pressed into that. I crushed the substrate in my nutribullet; I knew I'd find a use for it! Once all that had cured, I smeared another coat of silicone over the top to seal it and prevent the substrate from dissolving under water. I then coated it with another layer of crushed substrate, mainly to prevent the copious amounts of dog hair in my house from getting stuck to it! This brings us up to date and whilst the silicone is curing, I'll be clearing up the bomb site that is now my living room as it's covered in bits of expanding foam, chopped up correx and cardboard!
Here it is at the moment, awaiting the addition of roots and detailing. The base and lower third (roughly) will be covered by substrate and rockwork.
Then came several hours of cutting out random bits of cardboard for templates for the bank.
I wanted the bank to sit a few inches away from the filter to avoid dead spots, so even though it will look as if the hardscape takes up a lot of space, it actually won't as in reality it will only be an inch or so thick for the majority of the height. I'm hoping that leaving this space will both help with flow and remove and small gaps that livestock might get stuck in. I used correx to construct the framework for the bank:
This was then covered in expanding foam and carved into shape. I got carried away at this point and stopped taking photos. Once all the shiny bits were carved away (the silicone won't stick to this) and the shape was what I wanted, I started the really messy bit! Marine grade silicone was smeared all over and then crushed tropica substrate was pressed into that. I crushed the substrate in my nutribullet; I knew I'd find a use for it! Once all that had cured, I smeared another coat of silicone over the top to seal it and prevent the substrate from dissolving under water. I then coated it with another layer of crushed substrate, mainly to prevent the copious amounts of dog hair in my house from getting stuck to it! This brings us up to date and whilst the silicone is curing, I'll be clearing up the bomb site that is now my living room as it's covered in bits of expanding foam, chopped up correx and cardboard!
Here it is at the moment, awaiting the addition of roots and detailing. The base and lower third (roughly) will be covered by substrate and rockwork.
