Custom 3D-BackGrounds!!!

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Italy592

Italy592

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jan 26, 2012
84
0
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United states
HI I have currently a 75 gallon african Cichlid tank its been up and running for a year now. But i have been owning tanks for about 5 years now but i need your help. I have been moving toward a 3d-Background more and more as the years go by and now im finally ready too !! I am going to make my own its already drawn up how i want it to look and also how how the blocks of Styrofoam i will need to put together and where. MY questions are 1st can i put a 3d-Background in a Established tank ?? Like is it safe or will anything happen that could harm the fish. 2nd Do you have any tips or tricks or even advice for me when making your own ??? Ive read you need weight on it so it stays down certain kind of paint and even sometimes cement cover or something?? Please i really want to do this right and need your help if any advice , tips, or tricks you can help me with it would be greatly appreciated !!! once i start making it Pictures will come and keep everyone updated !! PLease help!!


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I have never made a complete 3d background, so I can give no info on installing in an established tank. My guess is that you would need to glue it in, unless you can make it so perfect that you can friction fit, and even then it could create some problems.

I have made rock out of styrofoam though.

Here's what you'll need:
-Tools for shaping and cutting the foam
-Brushes
-Conatiners to mix colorants and drylock
-Foam, no paper/foil backed foam
-GE Silicone (make sure to get the kind with nomold/mildew inhibitors, Silicone 1 I believe)
-1 gallon of UGL drylock, if your rocks will have a gray tone, start with gray drylock, if brown start with white.
- Quickrete brand liquid concrete colorant/dye (they have several colors available)

1. Start by shaping your background, shape it larger than you intend for the background to be, maybe 1" or so on all angles.
2. If you have a tablesaw, cut it down to the correct size now (if no table saw, do your best to give yourself nice square edges)
3. Cover it all in a base coat of drylock. If you are going with a gray tone, just cover it all in the gray dry-lock. If you are going with some other tone, mix a little of the colorant to get it close to the final tone. Don't be too thin or too thick with your basecoat. It goes on heavy, so just one good coat.
4. Let it dry overnight.
5. Apply the final coat of drylock. I mixed three different shades of the color I wanted. Take and brush it on, and "punch it" with the tip of the brush to create the desired texture. Mixing different colors here will give you a realistic effect.
6. Let it dry, bone dry, at least 24 hours, more is better.
7. Install, this is where I can't help you.
 
Getmuddy350 said:
I have never made a complete 3d background, so I can give no info on installing in an established tank. My guess is that you would need to glue it in, unless you can make it so perfect that you can friction fit, and even then it could create some problems.

I have made rock out of styrofoam though.

Here's what you'll need:
-Tools for shaping and cutting the foam
-Brushes
-Conatiners to mix colorants and drylock
-Foam, no paper/foil backed foam
-GE Silicone (make sure to get the kind with nomold/mildew inhibitors, Silicone 1 I believe)
-1 gallon of UGL drylock, if your rocks will have a gray tone, start with gray drylock, if brown start with white.
- Quickrete brand liquid concrete colorant/dye (they have several colors available)

1. Start by shaping your background, shape it larger than you intend for the background to be, maybe 1" or so on all angles.
2. If you have a tablesaw, cut it down to the correct size now (if no table saw, do your best to give yourself nice square edges)
3. Cover it all in a base coat of drylock. If you are going with a gray tone, just cover it all in the gray dry-lock. If you are going with some other tone, mix a little of the colorant to get it close to the final tone. Don't be too thin or too thick with your basecoat. It goes on heavy, so just one good coat.
4. Let it dry overnight.
5. Apply the final coat of drylock. I mixed three different shades of the color I wanted. Take and brush it on, and "punch it" with the tip of the brush to create the desired texture. Mixing different colors here will give you a realistic effect.
6. Let it dry, bone dry, at least 24 hours, more is better.
7. Install, this is where I can't help you.
Click to expand...

that is great info and insight thank you dop you have any pictures ??


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No, I started with an empty tank.

I would suggest doing the same. Maybe set-up a small tank on the side using your existing filter and such for a couple days while you can get it done. It would make things a TON easier, an I'm sure you can scoop up a small tank for cheap cheap money.
 
I understand that. I'm saying you should set up a temp tank for your fish while you get it installed in the bigger tank. It would be a little more work up front, but it owuld be MUCH easier on you and your fish in the end.
 
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