DIY Background, opinions please on the outcome

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Drunken

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 29, 2007
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Denmark
I`ve seen alot people making DIY backgrounds on this site, and that got me inspired. i`ve seen alot of "stone/rock/malawi" backgrounds... but i wanted more of mudbank theme with some rocks and roots.
And i think i bit more off then i can chew, seems to be alot harder to blend colors and making it seem realistic compared to working in gray and black shades

I made a small test background for a 20g, wich i learned alot from. Its a bit off a mess design wise, but i wanted to try out diffrent methods of creating structure, caves, roots etc... its pretty hard to do on such a small piece, at least for me :nilly:

Here`s what i got so far ( bottom half was just under the showerhead before taking the pick, so i could see what i would look like underwater)
DSC00168.jpg

DSC00169.jpg


This was all carved out off a single peace of styrofoam with a "Dremel" with varius bits used. I used Dry colors (ironoxyd i think is the English name) mixed in with a flexible tile adhisive( sp?)

How do you think i did ? does it look good, bad etc...
 
i think it looks good are the caves for the africans or for the filters>?
 
Filters yes :)

the plan was to make it so the intake and output could be hidden behind the background, but i think i have ditched that idea.
What if 1 hose got clogged ( never heard of it happening, but you never know), i would have to basicly tear down the tank, before i could solve it
 
i would either make the filters a tight fit in those holes or fish my hide behind it
 
Looks great. What products are you using to cover the foam?

If your not sure English names what are the danish ones, my parents are danish I can get them to translate!!!
 
I like it, looks very cool!

What was the thickness of the Styrofoam before you started carving it?
 
I used a flexible "Tile Adhesive" wich is aproved for wet room use, then i just mixed it up a little thinner compared to the instruction on the bag... sorta like wipped cream. Then i used a cheap paint brush the work it into the grooves etc. Did 2 coats with no color in it to give some strength.
DSC00174.jpg


The colors are Iron Oxyd in dry form. ( natural colors ), i used a black, brown and earthy yellow. On the bucket it says its use are for coloring cement and grout ? ( the stuff you use after the tiles are set up with the tile adhesive to fill out the groves around each tile)
DSC00175.jpg

DSC00176.jpg


This was for 20 gallon, so started out with a 10 cm ( 4 inches) thick piece of styrofoam
Here`s a side shot :
DSC00173.jpg


Right now I`m trying to carve out a big tree root out of styrfoam, wich i plan to glue on to a not yet startet background. Will post some more pics when i get a further...

Thanks for your responses :)
 
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