"Ian Stirling" > wrote in message
...
> In rec.aquaria.tech Devi <
[email protected]> wrote:
>> Anyone point out any pros and cons of sticking green slate directing on
>> to
>> inside glass of 3' tank as aquascaping (using silicon of course). Will
>> glass
>> support it? Would quite like to make some ledges etc too.
>
> <nitpick>
> Silicon is a hard glassy lustrous semiconductor, silicone is a compound of
> this that's not, and can be made into sealants/...
> </nitpick>
>
> The glass will support it just fine, as long as you don't go way
> overboard,
> I'd hesitate before going much beyond twice the thickness of the glass.
> Ledges also can work, but if you're thinking of something thin jutting
> out into the tank, silicone may be too weak to work, without support.
For full height slate ledges, I've seen them placed vertically into a frame
of concrete. Remove the frame, de-alkaline (is that a word?) and then stand
in the back of the aquarium. Generally, siliconing directly to the glass is
not a great idea unless it's a relatively permanent structure (left there
for many years).
For less permanent structure, stack in an decreasing size with sufficient
stabilizing footprint (using a U, W or T shape base). Sand is a good
substrate to fill crevices, as is a thin styrofoam sheet underneath.
Now would that be siliconing or siliconeing? ;~)
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