DIY Backdrop... Ideas?

doooooood the cement bit already looks awesome and im already super excited about the epoxied finish...its taking some discipline not rushing it actually

 

Is now post pics man! kanala! lol...or i must make a turn by you!? Are you using clear epoxy?

 

could only get black..
tho i just read a post about eco paint and phoned them immediately for a pricelist
they say their paint is aquarium safe and is even endorsed by the two oceans aquarium soooooo......

but mine is black and i'm going to have a smooth black rock and when i'm done you can come see...for sure...promise...

 

mmm....im not sure about having smooth black rock in my tank. Il be carving out my styrofoam into this type of rock texture.

 

will share all info when i'm finished including what challenges i faced and how i overcame them and what i wont do next time...my next background i don't want black either

though i waited and watched and asked plenty people and did nothing so i had to make a start..so improvements will come and what i want will change and how i do it...

:blink1::blink1:i was inspired to do it by people on this forum and thats what i like about it...because people made me think about stuff i never thought of before and now i'm doing stuff i never did before..

i got 5lt of koi pond sealer so after this i wanna think of a big koi pond...

you guys are an inspriration...thank you:bigsmile::bigsmile:

 

Lol. I dont think il be going for Koi anytime soon. Wana master the art of Aquatic Eco-Systems first

 

Dragon you seem very ambitious. this looks like a fun diy project. Ill follow this thread with great interest

 

The entire hobby is fun and of course more rewarding if you DIY everything.

 

am ambitious...i grew up with a dad that told me "it can't be done" mostly limiting me financially...

can be done...its people doing it so i can too...so i don't like limiting myself...i'd rather fail and learn what i need to succeed...

have a super day guys

 

Hi,

I also want to try the styrofoam background; it looks fantastic. Did you buy the Styrofoam at builderswarehouse, as well? I was thinking of using grout. Or did the pond-sealer work nicely?

 

@magdakuit

Im glad you wana try out the DIY 3D background. The Styrofoam can be purchased anyware. Im not sure about builders warehouse. You can even use left overs from the packaging of a new fridge or washing machine.

The purpose of the pond sealer is just an epoxy to cover the cement that you plastered over the Styrofoam. If you dont use the pond sealer, the lime(calcium, not entirely sure) from the cement while leech out into your tank water and cause the pH to skyrocket to an estimated 14 !!!

Alternatively you could just soak the DIY cement Background into water in a separate tank...doing 10 water changes over a period of 10 weeks, waiting for the chemicals to leech out by themselves and constantly checking the pH levels.

The problem with the epoxy is, if i can remember when visiting Dragon8(Fire - yes thats his actual name), the epoxy only comes in black. And not everyone wants a black background.

Have Fun

 

Some ideas on building

http://freshwatercichlids.com/diy-3d-corener-background

http://www.instructables.com/id/River-Aquarium-With-Custom-Concrete-3D-Background/

The instructables site has some very cool step by step projects.

Gerhard

 

Thanks!

 

Thanx @Vis - The last link is probably the process i will follow. I can wait a few weeks. Epoxy is too expensive, Dragon8 said it cost him R1200 for the resin and epoxy mix + it only comes in black.

 

Ryanj the chances is also that you will end up with a lot you will not use so it would be good to club together with someone and share some costs.

You can also got the sraypaint background route without the epoxy.

 

I would like to cement my background the paint it? is there any paint you can recommend that is safe for my fish and that would stay on under water ?

 

You get Koi Pond paint that should be Ok. Not to expensive and quite a few colours.

 

Thanx man! Il have a look around for it.

 

Just make sure that you take the one without membrane.

 

The one without membrane? **Confused face** Please explain...