DIY Backdrop... Ideas?

Hey guys,

Being an ex-herpetoculturist, I have heard that roof sealant (the foam type that comes in a spray can) works wonders for creating breathtaking backdrops if you have the time to properly carve, paint and finish it. Is there something similar used in the fish trade? Foam does tend to... float... :-(

 

PM @clinton.wayne .. he also keeps snakes, and the like. . .makes those backgrounds too

 

Awesome, I'll give him a shout. Last night me and azurekoi discussed this very subject over a beer, and he mentioned that polystyrine also works wonders as it can be easily shaped using nothing but heat... Guess I'll just start somewhere and see what works best!

 

If you have some time and bandwidth to kill have a look at some of the vids on http://www.youtube.com/results?sear...und&search_duration=medium&search_type=videos

The link looks for duration medium - since I think youtube has to much 1 minute clips without real content - and long is > 20 minutes and that just hurts when looking for quick info.

I like the idea of making a once off fiberglass backdrop - sure it is done but basically making a negative in a moist sand pit - then a light resin spray to bind the first layer, then some fiberglass - one of the vids do something like this with foam - then fiberglass the foam and later dissolve the foam to leave a neat shell .. cool thing about this is that the whole filer can now be media behind the shell.

Later Ferdie

 

A few ideas I saw a while ago involved using a sheet of polystyrene or cork bark, and using silicone to stick rocks, gravel or sand to it. Very, very basic, but sometimes the results are very natural looking and attractive too.

 

Hope this doesn't violate any rules!

http://www.aquariumlife.net/projects/diy-decoration/17.asp

This is what I'm talking about!

 

awesome background that. Im curious, how long will it take to cure the paint/cement?

 

1st coat . .24hrs . .second coat 24hrs . . 3rd coat . .24hrs .. . + extra 24hrs for safety

 

Plus soaking to get rid of any leaching- 24hrs.

 

Did any of you guys try this method yet? I want to but im not sure if its safe. Some say your should coat the cement with epoxy. You guys say i can cure it in the water so it stops leaching...

 

I'm going to try this as soon as I get a car and some cash. Don't want to risk transporting that size styrofoam on my bike. I might just take off and fly a few kms!

 

How do you plan on doing it? just coat with cement? and soak in water?

 

I'm going to do it just the way he did it but just coat it with pond sealant (used to waterrpoof koi ponds). It's black, waterproof and non-toxic.

 

I take it thats the epoxy everyone is talking off. So what if you rocks a specific colour? Is there a clear epoxy?

 

As long as the paint you're using is not lead based it should be no problem once cured.

 

Yeah but the epoxy is apparently really expensive. Is there a way to cement and paint your styrofoam with needing to coat it with PondSealer.

 

The PondSealer is not that expensive. Just go to Builders Warehouse and have a gander. All you need is the styrofoam, PondSealer, and lead-free spraypaint and you're good to go! I promise you these chaps that make all the ornaments for fish tanks don't use the most expensive stuff on the market.

 

Thanks will do. link me when you post pics

 

hehehe goo ooon!!!!

am busy with mine...second coat of cement goes on today...hoping to epoxy by the weekende but im not rushing and i'm distracted with other stuff so slow but sure...

i hesitated loooong and once i just got started it seemed easier and i'm less stressed...when im done i'll post pics of my cave:bigsmile::bigsmile::bigsmile::amazed::amazed::amazed:

have a super day guys
fire

 

Nice one dragon8 . I hope it turns out like you expected it to....