125g Set-Up Complete!!!! DIY Foam Rocks and Plants

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Getmuddy350

Gambusia
MFK Member
Dec 30, 2005
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Fnally put the finishing touches on my 125g set-up last night, and I'd like to share some photos and explination of the process:

As far as equipment goes:

Fluval FX5 filter
Marineland LED light (for 30" aquarium)
300W Fluval e300 heater
Top-Fin natural aquarium gravel

Supplies Needed for DIY projects:

-Flat black paint for paiting back of aquarium
-1 2'x8'x2" sheet of pink styrofoam:
supplies2.jpg

- 1 Gallon of UGL Drylok (gray) and different colors of Quickrete liquid concrete pigment (charcoal and buff colors:
supplies.jpg


After shaping the foam using a compass saw and a woodworkers rasp (rough file) I applied a base coat of drylok and let it dry overnight. The next evening we mixed the pigments in three different dishes and went to town. The drylock goes on thick enough to be able to mix the different colors together to give a real rock effect:
drying2.jpg

drying.jpg


As soon as the drylok was dry to the touch I used GE silicone and assembled the rock piles in the tank, using plenty to adhear the piles to the bottom of the tank. While the drylock was still soft I used a pencil and made holes for the stanks of the plants from michaels. I placed a small bead of silicone on each stock and forced them into the foam, creating a good seal in the process.

Here are some photos of the final product:
left.jpg

right.jpg

fulltank.jpg
 
There are a few things I would have done differently if I had to do it again. I would take more time and hide my filter inlet. Also, it's a good idea to round off all corners and edges that will be on the bottom of the tank, as the silicone from the aquarium made it a bit harder to seal.

Also, when working with an FX5, be sure to SCREW down the latches. I started it after just snapping it all in place, a lot of water blows out of that thing FAST if it's not secured.
 
nice stuff i got a fx5 on my 75 **** bannas when you clean it thow looks pretty nasty haha all that stuff in it..what type fish you throwing in there
 
The foam rocks are siliconed to the bottom of the tank, and siliconed to eachother.

So far so good, it's been full for 24 hours and they havent budged a bit. The drylok seems to be a great surface to glue to, as its got a good hold to the foam, and good texture.

I'm not sure on fish yet, either a ca/sa mix or a jag.
 
I liked the idea of a foam background but ultimately decided against it. I got to drawing and liked the idea of two large rock piles with open water in the middle. I had the supplies, and you can't exactly mold rocks into the shapes and exact colors you want, so I decided to make them myself.

It was a fun project, and you really can't tell that they aren't real rocks at all.
 
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