Diy Background

[Joshi39]

Hi, i have been reading up on DIY rock backgrounds made out of Styrofoam and siliconed to the back of the tank, Does the silicone have an affect on the fish??? im seriously considering making one but im worried it may pollute the water and kill the fish..

Cheers

 

[pirate monkey]

you can get silicone that's safe to use underwater - look in the pond section of your lfs

 

[bitteraspects]

as long as it is 100% silicon with no additional chemicals, it will be fish save after a 24hr cure period (24-48 depending on temp/humidity/etc).
remember "drying" and "curing" are two completely different things.
also, you will spend 2-10x as much on a tube of "aquarium silicon" at your lfs than you would at the hardware store, and if it is 100% silicon, you are getting the exact same product.

 

[Joshi39]

righttttt tank you,, well i was actually just looking at a easier what and thats wit plastic guttering, siliconing pebbles/rocks to it and drilling holes in it to act like caves, Am i correct in saying ciclids will enjoy that?

 

[bitteraspects]

i know exactly what write up youre looking at. lol.
if you have small cichlids (sa dwarves, maybe some of the smaller africans) it might work, but that type of background is meant for smaller fish.
you could probably adjust it to your needs if you found some larger gutter