quikrete cement color

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wizzin

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Oct 10, 2006
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East of Pittsburgh
Just an FYI. I just talked to quikrete about their cement color (available in brown, red, terra cotta, charcoal and buff) about whether it is safe in a fish environment, and it is. The concrete itself will raise the ph (well known) but treating it with a vinegar solution first will help equalize the ph. The color product will not harm fish.

This is great news for anyone wanting to build a DIY background. Also, you can use the acrylic fortifier in conjunction with the color product. The cement color product is available at lowes. Probably Home Depot also.
 
that's odd the sales rep for them that comes to my work told me other wise and too not use it
 
hmm this is interesting but I am waiting on a response from the glazenseal company about there laquer sealer witch says its good for ponds. that would allow any masonary product to be in aquaria with no affect on ph or anything he will be in this week so ill post the result of my findings
 
Nic;847247; said:
hmm this is interesting but I am waiting on a response from the glazenseal company about there laquer sealer witch says its good for ponds. that would allow any masonary product to be in aquaria with no affect on ph or anything he will be in this week so ill post the result of my findings
Click to expand...

Please do. I was looking for a paint or way to seal it so that I don't have to deal with the PH mess.
 
no problem if by end of week I post nothing please pm me I forget a lot of stuff my memory is shot.......
 
most sealers I've looked at are not to be used in a continuously submerged environment. I actually talked with quikrete (valspar) about their sealers too. No go. Pool paint was the other route, but it only comes in blue and white, and can't be tinted. Pond armor sounds good, but you'd need to get one quart of tan and one of black and attempt to mix it to look right, and that's a gamble I don't want to take at $160 plus shipping.
 
this is not an average sealer is not penetrating it is a laquer sealer ill talk to the guy when he comes in... I believe one of the techniseal can also be used underwater that guy is here everyother day with all I see here ill find something that will work
 
Pool paint use to come in black. I can look into it to see if it still does (I have a wholesale account with a local distributor).

Concrete reportedly can be cured by soaking it in a brine solution. I have not tried this but others here have had success with it.

As for the go or no-go, I would believe the person at corporate rather than the sales rep. Sales reps must maintain credibility and to do that, they need to sound like they have all the answers. If he doesn't know, it is human nature to say no since the fish could die. Salesmen are all about the money, and there isn't enough money in one fish tank sale to find out the right answer.
 
People use argo-crete mixes to make fake live rock for reef tanks all the time. They do not require sealing. (check GARF.com) To cure the portland cement/aragonite rocks is rather easy I have done this myself. soak it in water for a few days drain the water out and repeat until the ph stablizes.
I saw a few posts where people added grout to the mix to collor it up. I havent tried this but it is definately worth looking into.
If I was to seal up some concrete and I had already added an acrylic bonder I would go with clear acrylic spray paint. I have use acrylic paints on aquarium decor and have not seen any bad affects to date.
if your still nervous try it and put it in a tub with a few feeder goldfish to ease your mind.
 
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