My own attempt at the DIY 3d Background

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I love how you use your text books. When I was a student, I found that all I had to do was put my text books on the bed---and I could fall asleep almost immediately!
 
Why? LOL Get into engineering and make tons of money, you can do that crap as a hobby

The people that tell you to get a job that you will enjoy are losers. Get a job that pays lots of $$$

More to the point of this thread: I vote for a fiberglass background.
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Bioengineering isnt engineering? and how does the fiberglass work?



Nice, cant wait to see how the step by step finished product

BTW, how many gallons is that Black Glass Corner tank? I have the exact same one and dont know how many gallons it is Lol
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thank you! what tank are you talking about?
I love how you use your text books. When I was a student, I found that all I had to do was put my text books on the bed---and I could fall asleep almost immediately!
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another great use : )
 
I think concrete would work best for your setup. Like 3 coats of grey and then add like 1 coat of a red or maroon color and I think it will look awesome. As far as getting a job that you will enjoy or that will make you money....get one that does both.
 
I think concrete would work best for your setup. Like 3 coats of grey and then add like 1 coat of a red or maroon color and I think it will look awesome. As far as getting a job that you will enjoy or that will make you money....get one that does both.
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good advice

i was originally thinkin of a sort of red-clay like color for it but my girlfriend is pushing for the grey cause i showed her this pic on the web.. i tend to like the second pic more

tanganyika_rock_1.jpg

p-35733-47202-fish-supply.jpg
 
stewnew;4549477; said:
Bioengineering isnt engineering? and how does the fiberglass work?
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For the first question: No

So the fiberglass question? I'm a rookie with that media lol. I think it's the best material for backgrounds and I'm very interested in it. Take a look at my backgrounds in my signature. They are pre-made and sort of "cut to fit". They are made out of some kind of dense colored foam, they look great but they all start looking the same after a while. I have 6 large tanks, two of which have finished backgrounds. I have four more backgrounds to build. I was hoping you would take the lead on this fiberglass project and I would learn from you.
I did give you the tip on engineering so I figure we are even. :grinno:
 
For the first question: No
So the fiberglass question? I'm a rookie with that media lol. I think it's the best material for backgrounds and I'm very interested in it. Take a look at my backgrounds in my signature. They are pre-made and sort of "cut to fit". They are made out of some kind of dense colored foam, they look great but they all start looking the same after a while. I have 6 large tanks, two of which have finished backgrounds. I have four more backgrounds to build. I was hoping you would take the lead on this fiberglass project and I would learn from you.
I did give you the tip on engineering so I figure we are even.
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HAhh alright ive been subscribed to your thread for a while its pretty tight. are you saying that they all start looking the same because they are deteriorating? Ive had some experience painting fiberglass in the past on sailboats but im not sure how id color it for this and how the texture would work..

and for the record im perfectly content in my genetic engineering work : )
 
Na, it seems to be holding up. I'm happy with the backgrounds. The 450 background has been underwater for about a year now and it looks great, lots of algae. Some of the dryloc paint has peeled off the homemade portion but the store bought stuff is in perfect condition. I used too much glue (silicon 1) gluing rocks to the background in one area. I was hoping algae would cover it but it hasn't :(

Check out the cichlid forum, they get into backgrounds big time and some are really good! Most of the backgrounds are made out of concrete and they seem to hold up great underwater for years. I was always worried about leaching and PH issues but it's a proven method. Of course making rocks look good with concrete is a no brainer, I'm interested in making tree branches/roots more along the lines of an Amazon rain forest. That's why I'm pushing for fiberglass. If a tree root can be made out of concrete and look good, I would like to know how?
I love this thread - I will stay quiet from now on and just read :D
 
so i went to home depot tonight and couldnt find the epoxy resin i was lookin for.. i was looking for the type that this guy used http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/management/Luto_Jay_DIY_Background.html

then i looked for drylok but couldn't find the dye that I would use..

I asked several employees for help but none knew anything worth my while... bummer


So to make use of my time I put together another backgound for my 20 long.. ill post pics eventually
 
I used the west system epoxy on a background for a tank I just got up and running. It is easiest to find at a marine/boat store.

IMG_1032.JPG
 
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