melev

wow man, grats to you for doing this whole process DIY, and even more for taking pics to share with everyone. Looks like you are learning alot along the way. Love the french drain you have going

Good looking set up. I wouldnt leave that plastic on the french drain. You'll never get ut all cut and it could potentially prevent the concrete from adhering to the drain and holding it in. Think about removing it and taping off the top of the drain to keep it new looking. Use a quality masking tape. Don't use duct tape...too hard to clean off...don't ask...been there once at work with over a hundred round drains.....PITA!!!!!
I wouldn't suggest painters tape either, you'll want a little more adhesion.
Good luck

Yeah marc I would take the drain out and keep it where it will just come out for cleaning purposes.

I see you used my idea about the French drain! Lol

Love the french drain idea. Our land lord is constantly getting on me every time I spill a bit of water.
How are you going to hold it down to keep it from floating out of the concrete while it sets?

Marc I've been out of action for a while and recently found out about what happened to your tank. You've probably said this already but what are you planning on doing? I see you're doing a lot of construction. Bigger tank? Bigger fish room?

Hey, M.,

Oh, this is getting GOOD ... The half round drain staying anchored during a cement pour has my pulse racing Too bad you couldn't put some kind of legs on the half round or strap the drain pipe to the ground before pour? Or, block out a thee inch channel with 2x3's smooched together with few screws (1.5 x 2 = 3) and standing on end as temp forms. Elevate to allow cement to flow under forming the eventual bottom of drain support. Tack the wood on ends to your existing forms to stay put. Remove later and set your thee inch half round as step 2 once you can walk on slab? Use small batch of cement to fill under half round?

Either way, much success and it's really gonna be AWESOME......

You guys are exactly right, the drain floated up. I didn't anticipate that at all. I used some concrete block to hold it down as the concrete hardens, and in a few hours I'll get busy with the surface work to smooth things out. It's really rough at the moment with the french drain having been added after the form was filled. I'm sure it will be fine, but I'm going to have to try hard not to be such a perfectionist about it and just get it done.

If it gets too messy, you could float the floor complete and come back later and wet saw cut the drain track with some chisel work shouldn't be too difficult. HD has those yellow tile skil saws with diamond blade and hook-up to a hose attachment. Goodluck with whatever you have to do to getter done

Hey marc,
Are you going to relocate that attic ladder? or are you going to access it from the fish room?

Yes, the attic stairs have to move, but I've not decided where yet.

I pulled off the forms today and the concrete looks good.