DIY 3d backround

[MonteSS]

Its just 2" blue or pink foam from Lowes. Comes in a 4 x 8 sheet.

I used plain silicone (no mildue stuff added) to glue the pieces on.

Took a utility knife and did the main shaping.

Then used the utility knife and made a horizontal score line and twisted the knife and pried pieces of the foam out to get the natural textured look. I can make a video maybe to show.

Then put two coats of Drylock paint. Then took a darker grey and painted the cracks and rubbed with a rag. This gave it some hilights. Then let it sit a week to dry.

My 26g has no center brace. Larger tanks need the top trim removed (good time to get a new one if its broken) or the backround made in two pieces.

Silicone it to the back of the tank real good. Wedge it under the rim if you can. These things are VERY floaty and can come loose if not secure.

Let the silicone dry a few days and fill tank. The water will cloud slightly at first. Numerous water changes over a few days and it will clear.

I never lost any fish because of it and snails love to clean it. Have not tried a Pleco.

DO NOT make any deep caves in it or catching fish becomes a nightmare

...Bill

 

[chriscoli]

Absolutely fantastic!

 

[dogofwar]

Looks really easy to do...even for artistically challenged folks like me.

Did you use 2 colors of Drylok? You can get it tinted like regular paint, correct?

I wonder if the marine glue (epoxy) would work for adhering it to the back of the tank...

Matt

 

[chriscoli]

Did you use anything to fill in any gaps between the layers of foam after you carved to make it look more like one uniform piece?

 

[scientist0724]

Can I just have you make one for me??? I promise to pay you for materials and time (of which I lack most of these days)!!!:lol::lol::lol:

Arlene

 

[dogofwar]

Drylok's pretty thick stuff... I think it would just fill in itself...

Matt

Did you use anything to fill in any gaps between the layers of foam after you carved to make it look more like one uniform piece?

 

[skanda]

Is this is a 26 gallon tank

 

[FishInMaryland]

AWESOME!!!

 

[Hawkman2000]

That has got to be one of the best 3D backgrounds I have ever seen. Well done.

 

[Jefft]

I like Arlene would be interested in paying you to do one for me. Let me know if youa re interested in flexing your artistic muscle and how much it would cost.

 

[Avatar]

Impressive

Have to hand it to you Bill. Could use a few more pictures in the middle to show the intermediary steps, but heck of a job.

 

[MonteSS]

Thanks for the kudos.

I started with the small tank to try it out. I have CA and SA and the rock theme doesnt exactly go with the biotope.

Problem is it take a while to do. I would have to charge too much for the labor involved.

It really is not as difficult as it looks. Give it a try on a small scale. You cant really mess up and you might be surprised at how artistic you really are.

....Bill

Oh yeah its a 26g bowfront and yes the paint is very thick and fills in the gaps

Here is when I had Apistos in it.

 

[Tony]

That has got to be one of the best 3D backgrounds I have ever seen. Well done.

+1. Unbelievable!

Bill, are the grains/lines in the rock done on the styrofoam or with the Drylock (or a bit of both)?

 

[dogofwar]

Bill - have you noticed any impact on the water hardness as a result of the background?

Thanks,
Matt

 

[JChitty]

Great thread MonteSS. Have had all the materials for several months to try this technique but haven't gotten around to it. Did you use a heat gun to give texture to the styrofoam? I thought that using drylok was a better option than the concrete method.