Curing Concrete?

[shuhu]

Hi


YESTERDAY I finished applying the last coat of concrete to my DIY styrofoam background, a couple of hours later, when it was apparently dry I decided to put it inside my empty fishtank to take a look at it and left it there with the glass lid on. (ovbiously the tank still has no water in it)

TODAY I noticed that there is condensation inside of the tank I've never done any concrete projects and I was wondering if this is normal, so .... should I just let it "cure" like this or should I take it out to stop that condensation thing


Also, how do I know when it's safe to put tropical non-hard-water fish in there after doing those "many, many, many" water changes I've read people do for these type of backgrounds. Some people say it takes months and some others not so much

 

[sparklefuzz]

Hi


YESTERDAY I finished applying the last coat of concrete to my DIY styrofoam background, a couple of hours later, when it was apparently dry I decided to put it inside my empty fishtank to take a look at it and left it there with the glass lid on. (ovbiously the tank still has no water in it)

TODAY I noticed that there is condensation inside of the tank I've never done any concrete projects and I was wondering if this is normal, so .... should I just let it "cure" like this or should I take it out to stop that condensation thing


Also, how do I know when it's safe to put tropical non-hard-water fish in there after doing those "many, many, many" water changes I've read people do for these type of backgrounds. Some people say it takes months and some others not so much

I'm pretty clueless but could it just be moisture from the air that is in the concrete? Might just take some airing off.

 

[BigC]

I would have second thoughts about putting concrete in an aquarium due to chemicals leaching into he water.

 

[SkiFletch]

Yeah, concrete needs to cure for 3-4 weeks before you put it in a tank. It can leech chemicals to rais your pH way past 8.0 (think 9-11). Easiest way is to put it in a toilet cistern for a month . Otherwise, put it in a bucket and change the water every week till the pH stops rising

 

[Egmel]

Easiest way is to put it in a toilet cistern for a month .

Just make sure you don't have a toilet block in there leaking out all sorts of chemicals!

 

[Fatty]

Easiest way is to put it in a toilet cistern for a month .

Just make sure you don't have a toilet block in there leaking out all sorts of chemicals!

Think the best way is in saltwater for a few weeks. See the following topic>>

DIY background

Concrete has a load of moisture in it, but will set just as well underwater, infact it sets stronger underwater.