Exo Terra saltwater paludarium

Metalreefer · Jul 7, 2020

Leak test no.1
I extended the volume of the freshwater container because the evaporation from the waterfall was a crazy.
note:6mm glass is a bit overkill.

Metalreefer · Jul 11, 2020

Test run no.2! Waterfall ON. carving is ready.If no leaks until tomorrow I will go to the next step.

Metalreefer · Jul 14, 2020

Well with glass the process definitely faster . bummer i should have started with glass at the first place. But Im learning this part so no worries.

Kehy · Jul 14, 2020

Glad to see it's coming along

F i s h y · Jul 14, 2020

Keep up the good work

Metalreefer · Jul 15, 2020

I love to paint ;Woot

I kinda nailed it. I love the colouring. Now I need to wait to dry the paint completely.

1.-James-Bond-Island-and-Phang-Nga-Bay-Tour-from-Phuket-phanak-cave-1.jpg

Metalreefer · Jul 17, 2020

So i added more white to the paint because it was way to dark specially when i tried with the light on the top, and the orange spots were too bright.

Metalreefer · Jul 17, 2020

ZiBiReef · Jul 17, 2020

Following, very cool concept. Hope everything works out

F i s h y · Jul 25, 2020

Love the paint job!

Kammetal · Jul 28, 2020

Awesome I’m doing the same project myself! only thing I’m deciding now is what I can do as far as livestock. Nice to see a fellow metal head on here lol

Metalreefer · Jul 31, 2020

Kammetal said:
Awesome I’m doing the same project myself! only thing I’m deciding now is what I can do as far as livestock. Nice to see a fellow metal head on here lol

Hey there! Kinda odd we listen "the music of Satan" while addicted to pretty colourful little weird screatures of the sea isnt it

Do you have a pic from your build iam really curious!

Metalreefer · Sep 11, 2020

I was satisfied with the background so I made another one. Using expanding foam and concrete.

Here they are after the paint job, trimming, and glued magnets. Still waiting for a sealer to come.
I will need to test it first. It will be a acrylic resin aerosol matte. If it work I will glaze the rocks slightly with 2 part epoxy then apply the matte resin spray for finish.

Metalreefer · Sep 11, 2020

Also I managed to completely ruin my previous job because I applied too much of the epoxy resin so I had to re do the background slightly. well its a learning experience after all. so now what is left is the cover the hole where the cables will go and the seal the bottom and the middle part.

Metalreefer · Sep 11, 2020

what do you think? I kinda liked the right one more, but not sure.Anyway I wont do everything all over again unless I have to.

F i s h y · Sep 11, 2020

I love that you are sticking with this project. Its looking great. The bottom picture in your last post 2 thumbs up!

Kehy · Sep 11, 2020

I know it's a slow project, but I love the updates

Metalreefer · Sep 11, 2020

Kehy said:
I know it's a slow project, but I love the updates

Thank you. I would like to finish it soon. But my lack of experience clearly showing here

specially because this build is on the next level with separate fresh and saltwater system and waterfall. And the guys I seen on Instagram doing this ultra realistic vivarium backgrounds wont tell me anything what chemical they used to paint and or seal their rocks."itS a SeCReT i Am sOrRY". So I had to do loads of research again in the world of chemicals...I choose one so the testing is the next step.

MaxxuM · Sep 11, 2020

Metalreefer said:
Thank you. I would like to finish it soon. But my lack of experience clearly showing here specially because this build is on the next level with separate fresh and saltwater system and waterfall. And the guys I seen on Instagram doing this ultra realistic vivarium backgrounds wont tell me anything what chemical they used to paint and or seal their rocks."itS a SeCReT i Am sOrRY". So I had to do loads of research again in the world of chemicals...I choose one so the testing is the next step.

Who knew the world of vivarium building was so secretive. It’s looking good so far though.