DIY 3D Background - 20G

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Update.. The heater works great- thanks for the suggestions guys

EDIT: Found this cheap $0.99 plastic thing at goodwill when I was shopping for Halloween costumes..

Tried to cover it in cement to see how it turns out

How I got it:
newqy3.jpg



First coat:
stonedim1.jpg
 
man i wish i cud find wee thing lik that it looks real good be able to incoporate it into the diy background. the cement that is used for these backgrounds, is it just normal cement mix or is there a special type. also the sheet of styrfoam it amde up of small polystyring balls, how do you cut and sand it withoiut it crumbling. or is it easy to sand etc.
 
supertank;2348677; said:
man i wish i cud find wee thing lik that it looks real good be able to incoporate it into the diy background. the cement that is used for these backgrounds, is it just normal cement mix or is there a special type. also the sheet of styrfoam it amde up of small polystyring balls, how do you cut and sand it withoiut it crumbling. or is it easy to sand etc.
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I think lots of types of cements work, I used hydraulic water stop cement by quikcrete. The styrofoam crumbles pretty easily, sanding it kinda roughed it up more than I would have liked. I just carved it with a butter knife and that was pretty easy. Once you start putting cement on, it covers up lots of the holes or ugly spots. With cement on it, it just looks like a rock with holes / cracks.
 
I am thinking of doing a 3D background my self. I was just thinking, alot of people silicone the backgrounds to the back of the tank but I want to use magnets instead. I would put the magnets inside the background and then the other end on the out side. Just a thought. By the way great work. :headbang2
 
Arturo;2349150; said:
I am thinking of doing a 3D background my self. I was just thinking, alot of people silicone the backgrounds to the back of the tank but I want to use magnets instead. I would put the magnets inside the background and then the other end on the out side. Just a thought. By the way great work. :headbang2
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Thanks! If the magnets work thats a great idea! Silicone is fine on a smaller tank, it was only $10 used. Its nice to be able to take it off if you need to change the tank setup. Just make sure they are strong magnets, even with thick coats of concrete the background is still very buoyant.
 
That's a great job you'd done on it
 
just a little input-if you take a metal coat hanger and heat it up with a blowtorch-you can use it to cut thru and mold styrofoam but you need to either duct tape the ends of the wire and/or wear some thick leather gloves-the ones for welding work real well-or youll burn the skin right off your fingers.
 
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