diy concrete tiki

[skipper]

I wanted to hide my diy overflow pipes, and thought this might be neat. It is untested, so don't copy me unless you think it is fish safe. I live in the country and had these materials lying around, so I wont give a cost estimate.
First I cut some 6" diameter irrigation pipe to size and drew my designs. I then cut the holes out with a jigsaw and tied on some plastic animal fence with plastic poly baling twine. I think the fence material will help give the concrete something to hold onto. Then I mixed equal parts plastic cement and sand and added some powdered concrete color. Then I just sculpted the tiki man. So far I have only finished one, but I have 3 more ready to sculpt tommorrow. I will make sure to leach them until the ph stabilizes.

 

[AiR foRc3 wUnZ]

Whoa that looks awesome! Great work. I'd say its tank safe because its irrigation pipe, which is usually people safe.

 

[frasertheking]

but concrete will leach lime into your system

 

[skipper]

I know the concrete leaches lime for a long time. Other people make backgrounds, caves, and fake saltwater live rock out of concrete. I just thought I'd try a different form. And yes, the plastic pipe is safe for human use, so I'm pretty sure it will be fine for the fish. I'm not completely sure about the green fence material though. We had the concrete and coloring left over from my koi pond. There were'nt any problems for them, but I'm not sure it it will work in a 90 gallon aquarium.

 

[Davey_8313]

Looks really nice, man... good job.

 

[Mystix212]

I'd let it sit in a container of water for 2-3 weeks before you place in into the tank so the concrete doesnt leech any crap into the tank. Are you gonna coat it in epoxy?

 

[skipper]

Is it neccessary? If so, what kind do I get?

 

[awk]

Those are totally awesome!

 

[skipper]

Well, nobody ever accused me of having good taste, but here are the tikis in my 90 gallon tank in my bedroom.

 

[Mr.V]

thats pretty sweet