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Well, I don't think to this day I have done a formal construction journal. And even this one isn't a total construction journal since I don't have pics of me building the conversion kit for the 20 gal but this is all I gots.... 
I apologize for the CRAPPY photos in this first post. I took them with my cell phone. Its just easier while in the middle of making messes. I promise the final shots will be with the DSLR though.
So after seeing so many awesome fake tree threads, I just had to try and build one. I decided to go the Ace Hardware brand Concrete Binder and peat moss method. I think Ace is the only one that makes a concrete binder b/c I couldn't find another brand at Lowes, Home Depot or Menards. Go figure...
Here are the 2 vivs I'm doing currently. The 20 gal is really my "practice" viv. Since its my first time with this method, I wanted to practice on the smaller one and save the big'un for my second try after I discover the hiccups and what not.
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So I started out with some 1/2" PVC, cut to size and took the propane torch to them. Torch, twist, stick in front of fan to harden into place. Pretty simple...
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Next, I test fit them in various formations and picked one. Used some small bungee cord and twist ties to hold into place while I epoxied them together. I don't have a pic of the epoxy but its the clear stuff that Loctite makes. Basically this... Loctite Epoxy Instant Mix 5 Minute from Loctite Adhesives
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After the epoxy hardened, I used various poly rope in two thicknesses and some plastic clothes line wire to make the vines. I did this in stages so that I could attempt to make it look realistic. I dunno if I achieved that but its looks okay. I used hot glue to hold the vines in place on the PVC pipes until they were coated in the binder/peat mixture.
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After this, I layed down some plastic and mixed the binder and peat in an old Country Crock butter container. I had to do a LOT of different mixtures b/c at first I couldn't find a mix that was easy to work with. I purchased some some super cheap-o paint brushes to apply the mix with. When the brushes are new, they are pretty soft and the mix has to be a bit thinner for it to spread properly. After I used the brushes, the fibers got hard (even after washing them). This meant that I could mix the binder and peat a little thicker. I basically started with 1:1 binder : peat. From there, I very carefully added small amounts of water. The water goes a LONG way here. It will thin the stuff out pretty easily so be careful. With this method, I had ZERO issues with it drying and curing in to time. I have not experienced the weeks and weeks people have been reporting for this stuff to dry...
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This is a shot of the second set of vines I added after the first set dried...
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So after all the vines were done and the tree was covered to my liking (or at least to what I figued was a good place to stop, haha) I let the tree dry for a day or two. After that, I soaked the tree with the garden hose. Let it dry for a couple days, then did it again. I did this a handful of times b/c as many of you may know, the binder has a soapyness to it when you first let it cure and you don't want this stuff in your soil or in your viv at all.
Right now this is where the process sits. I have the tree in the viv and used the pond foam around and underneath it to hold it in place. There are additional pieces of rope in the background for more vines. I plan to use the silicone/peat method for the background b/c I don't wish to do the rinsing process in the viv like I did for the tree.
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Thats all for now. I will post more once I get more done.
I apologize for the CRAPPY photos in this first post. I took them with my cell phone. Its just easier while in the middle of making messes. I promise the final shots will be with the DSLR though.
So after seeing so many awesome fake tree threads, I just had to try and build one. I decided to go the Ace Hardware brand Concrete Binder and peat moss method. I think Ace is the only one that makes a concrete binder b/c I couldn't find another brand at Lowes, Home Depot or Menards. Go figure...
Here are the 2 vivs I'm doing currently. The 20 gal is really my "practice" viv. Since its my first time with this method, I wanted to practice on the smaller one and save the big'un for my second try after I discover the hiccups and what not.
So I started out with some 1/2" PVC, cut to size and took the propane torch to them. Torch, twist, stick in front of fan to harden into place. Pretty simple...
Next, I test fit them in various formations and picked one. Used some small bungee cord and twist ties to hold into place while I epoxied them together. I don't have a pic of the epoxy but its the clear stuff that Loctite makes. Basically this... Loctite Epoxy Instant Mix 5 Minute from Loctite Adhesives
After the epoxy hardened, I used various poly rope in two thicknesses and some plastic clothes line wire to make the vines. I did this in stages so that I could attempt to make it look realistic. I dunno if I achieved that but its looks okay. I used hot glue to hold the vines in place on the PVC pipes until they were coated in the binder/peat mixture.
After this, I layed down some plastic and mixed the binder and peat in an old Country Crock butter container. I had to do a LOT of different mixtures b/c at first I couldn't find a mix that was easy to work with. I purchased some some super cheap-o paint brushes to apply the mix with. When the brushes are new, they are pretty soft and the mix has to be a bit thinner for it to spread properly. After I used the brushes, the fibers got hard (even after washing them). This meant that I could mix the binder and peat a little thicker. I basically started with 1:1 binder : peat. From there, I very carefully added small amounts of water. The water goes a LONG way here. It will thin the stuff out pretty easily so be careful. With this method, I had ZERO issues with it drying and curing in to time. I have not experienced the weeks and weeks people have been reporting for this stuff to dry...
This is a shot of the second set of vines I added after the first set dried...
So after all the vines were done and the tree was covered to my liking (or at least to what I figued was a good place to stop, haha) I let the tree dry for a day or two. After that, I soaked the tree with the garden hose. Let it dry for a couple days, then did it again. I did this a handful of times b/c as many of you may know, the binder has a soapyness to it when you first let it cure and you don't want this stuff in your soil or in your viv at all.
Right now this is where the process sits. I have the tree in the viv and used the pond foam around and underneath it to hold it in place. There are additional pieces of rope in the background for more vines. I plan to use the silicone/peat method for the background b/c I don't wish to do the rinsing process in the viv like I did for the tree.
Thats all for now. I will post more once I get more done.
