Epic Overhaul/Builds: 3D Backgrounds 300g-125g-120g

[aclockworkorange]

I really cannot wait until my tank is up and running.

Just an FYI for everyone, Justin and I have been talking about the silicone problems we had, did some research, and found that GEII can release ammonia (which I knew) and methanol (which I didn't know) during curing. Methanol is toxic to humans, and I would assume fish as well. I tested my 125 that has just had water in it (no fish) for weeks now, and it had a lot of ammonia in it, obviously from leaching. Interestingly, my fish showed very similar symptoms to methanol poisoning in humans when they were having problems in that tank. I had let it cure for 5 days before putting water in, obviously with the massive amount of silicone we are using, this wasn't long enough for it to fully cure.

Do you think I should now keep filling it and draining, or leave the tank drained to try to let the silicone finish curing? Justins leached for quite a while with water in it...

 

[JK47]

This is the picture of the tank in late Dec. I have since removed 1/2 of the rocks because they look too busy lol

Very nice! Thanks for sharing. I actually like where you were going with the rocks.

I really cannot wait until my tank is up and running.

Just an FYI for everyone, Justin and I have been talking about the silicone problems we had, did some research, and found that GEII can release ammonia (which I knew) and methanol (which I didn't know) during curing. Methanol is toxic to humans, and I would assume fish as well. I tested my 125 that has just had water in it (no fish) for weeks now, and it had a lot of ammonia in it, obviously from leaching. Interestingly, my fish showed very similar symptoms to methanol poisoning in humans when they were having problems in that tank. I had let it cure for 5 days before putting water in, obviously with the massive amount of silicone we are using, this wasn't long enough for it to fully cure.

Do you think I should now keep filling it and draining, or leave the tank drained to try to let the silicone finish curing? Justins leached for quite a while with water in it...

I think you are 200% right... Now that it has been wet, IMO you should leave it wet, soak, WC, soak, WC and so on. Mine has obviously stopped leaching but it took lots of WC's. You saw it the other night so you know what I'm talking about. Even my rotkeil is back to 100%. This is just a shot in the dark since I couldn't test for anything but I would not add fish until you have done at least 4-5 soaks/WC 24-48 between each one. Minimum.

 

[joecoulson]

Wouldn't the silicone cure over an extended period of time, even underwater?

 

[JK47]

Wouldn't the silicone cure over an extended period of time, even underwater?

Yes I think so but that's opinion based though. Based off on steady improving in my tank as time goes on. I just want to be careful not starting myths over my own opinion. I'm glad I was the guinea pig on this though with experience under my belt. I would hate some for some kid to lose his fish on my accord.

 

[joecoulson]

Yes I think so but that's opinion based though. Based off on steady improving in my tank as time goes on. I just want to be careful not starting myths over my own opinion. I'm glad I was the guinea pig on this though with experience under my belt. I would hate some for some kid to lose his fish on my accord.

I might be up for an experiment if I can find my tube of silicone. I may drop a wet glob of it in a jar of water and leave it outside (to maximize surface agitation and oxygen exchange) and see if it seems to cure over time. Be interesting to see the water quality from wet silicone curing underwater.

 

[JK47]

I might be up for an experiment if I can find my tube of silicone. I may drop a wet glob of it in a jar of water and leave it outside (to maximize surface agitation and oxygen exchange) and see if it seems to cure over time. Be interesting to see the water quality from wet silicone curing underwater.

Seems like an interesting idea. If you have an extra $5 you should get a tube of GE1 clear and compare the two.



Side note, the 300 gallon and 125 gallon are going to be completely different after this weekend including the fish..

 

[ceeej31]

Seems like an interesting idea. If you have an extra $5 you should get a tube of GE1 clear and compare the two.



Side note, the 300 gallon and 125 gallon are going to be completely different after this weekend including the fish..

any hints?

 

[JK47]

any hints?

I'm headed to Seattle Saturday to pick up a "buttload" of Amphilophus festae (I know SA but they don't count lol) to grow out for the 125 gallon until I get a pair. The 300 is up in the air based on availability this weekend I the species I have picked out.. I have my fingers crossed though..

 

[aclockworkorange]

I'm kind of thinking of leaving it dry just for an experiment to see... We already know it will get better with WCs with your tank Justin, so maybe I'll see what happens leaving it dry?

 

[JK47]

I'm kind of thinking of leaving it dry just for an experiment to see... We already know it will get better with WCs with your tank Justin, so maybe I'll see what happens leaving it dry?

I am down for whatever so long as it contributes to other hobbiests. If your not in a rush it could not possibly hrt right?