[diggenem]

While finishing up my waterfall on my build I noticed that when the mortar is slopped on it kindof looks like clay so for those who are looking for a more water resistant alternative to kitty litter why not use cement?

 

[DragonSpirit1185]

While finishing up my waterfall on my build I noticed that when the mortar is slopped on it kindof looks like clay so for those who are looking for a more water resistant alternative to kitty litter why not use cement?

Um cement will drag the clay down....
I'm pretty sure cement won't stick to glass well.
no one likes to mess with having to neutralize the pH of the cement....
Clay holds moisture....clay helps with humidity.
Cement doesn hold moisture.
it is an extremely bad idea

 

[Pumilo]

Disagree. Cement walls can be drop-dead gorgeous if you don't mind the extra time and labor. Here is a pic of my brother's first attempt at one. http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/members-frogs-vivariums/62721-rock-wall-build.html
Waterfall is still running fine and his Azureus actually love climbing the wall.

 

[motydesign]

agreed, and cement is very porous and holds tons of moisture... but pH can be a pain

 

[DragonSpirit1185]

agreed, and cement is very porous and holds tons of moisture... but pH can be a pain

I had in mind smoothe concrete lol

It wouldn't hold as much moisture as a clay background tho right?

 

[motydesign]

I had in mind smoothe concrete lol

It wouldn't hold as much moisture as a clay background tho right?

true and once you seal it, it is more like plastic... i guess im just bias after my clay BG fail hahaha

 

[diggenem]

Do you really have to seal it?

 

[gbeauvin]

In aquaria, you don't have to seal it, but if you don't, it will leach alkalinity for awhile. Folks using it in aquaria often soak it, changing water often until the pH comes down. Others will seal it with drylock or something of that nature. When I some-day build a viv, I love the look of the clay backgrounds, but I would not expect it to hold up to repeated applications of an afternoon rainshower, so I'll likely end up with styro-crete or perhaps even hypertufa.

-GB

 

[Ed]

. When I some-day build a viv, I love the look of the clay backgrounds, but I would not expect it to hold up to repeated applications of an afternoon rainshower,
-GB

This is very dependent on the clay used, how it is applied and the frequency of misting. I've used it for drip walls with great success but then I took my time to establish it....

Ed