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Hi all, as many of you know I have a paludarium, but currently there's only a couple plants in it and I haven't done anything with it (besides throw some hydrocotyle in to see if it would survive in relatively low light) for quite some time. I would like to completely re-do the waterfall. I got a kit at a hobby store that has plaster and molds for making rocky mountainous dioramas. Now I just need to know what I can use to seal the waterfall to make it safe for fish and not alter the pH in the paludarium. I read something about "acrylic cement sealer" when I Googled a diy paludarium waterfall that was made with a coat of cement. Would this be a fish-safe choice that I could use with plaster and small stones, and if so, where could I get some?

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Cement would raise the ph wouldn't it?

I've heard of cement being used in cichlid tanks where it's ok to raise the ph, I've also heard of it being used and then covered using some silicone.

Can you not use aquarium grade silicone? Check in bun- sorry, homedepot, I know I've gotten some from there, it's not the kind with the regular silicone sealers, those usually have an antibacterial added. It's in a small metal tube I think (*trying to remember*) in a completely different area. It may have said something along the lines of 'marine grade'

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I suppose silicone would work, but it sounds awfully messy for what I'd he using it for. I'm more interested in the kind of stuff you would paint on.

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Would a marine sealant work for what you are after? Some sort of epoxy? There are a few brands around that people use for fake hardscapes, but not sure on UK brands.

try googling "DIY fake rock background". You have a better chance of recognising local brand names than I do

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett