[Wet Thumb Forum]-DIY background/styrofoam (pictures)

Thanks Rob

I'm talking futureeeeeeeee !!!!!!!!!!. Not anytime soon.

[karfixer]

I'm working on a similar project for my 105G tank. I used the extruded polyethlene- i.e. sheet garage insulation. I've been using the West Systems epoxy 105+206 hardener, and industrial sand. the sand is brown-i'll be using some of the Rit dye for shading/color. I'll be buying another batch of the epoxy-the "b" size- since the stuff has a long shelf life there won't be any problems with leftovers.

[HitATree]

I see how zhima cut holes in the board to make room for her filtration or something else, but Jay how were you going to fit a filter in your tank? I might do the rock background for a brichardi 29 gallon thinking about the filtration and everything.

[George Willms]

Can you get custom tanks here without center braces?

George

Tank specs in profile

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by JamesHoftiezer:
I ordered from them and are very happy with the price/quality when I take all the custom features into account.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

James,

I was looking into their tanks but found few of them having "extra glass frame" around the tank. When you get custom tank, can you ask them not to install one ?

Sample of 95G tank
http://65.197.157.223/newto/prodpics/95Gal.jpg

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Now, you said that you mixed in some black dye but were able to achieve a brownish tone. How much did you mix in with how much epoxy, and what type of dye was it<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

<LI>I was able to get brownish color b/c while soaking entire setup in water, model started to loose dye.

<LI>WestSystem epoxy mixing amounts depend on which hardener you are going to use. There are fast hardeners and very slow hardeners which give you more time to play around.

U.S. Dealers - Oregon

General WestSystem Info

<LI>Go to any grocery store and in cleaning/washing aile you should find any color of DYE.

Remember !!!
<LI>Do few layers of epoxy. Use sand for texture
<LI>Soak, Soak, Soak

Let me know if you have additional questions.

Join as at www.njas.net

Here is my DIY styrofoam background which I used for my 10G Tanganyika tank.

Items used:
<LI>Pink styrofoam (a lot better then regular white one)
<LI>Silicone (good for aquarium)
<LI>WestSystem 2part Epoxy
<LI>Black Dye
<LI>Sand

Step by step instruction:

Pink styrofoam available in any HomeDepot ~5$ for huge sheet
http://www.greenstouch.com/images/ba.../styrofoam.jpg

Using regular knife and any available tools cut the styrofoam to get desire aquascape. Use one sheet as main level and add small pieces on top of it to get more 3D texture.
http://www.greenstouch.com/images/ba...styrofoam2.jpg

Glue all the pieces with silicone. Let it sit for 24 hours to dry.

I used RTV109 Series by GE. Equivalent to ALl-Glass and safe in aquarium ~5$
http://www.greenstouch.com/images/ba...d/silicone.jpg

WestSystem 2 part epoxy. This container was enough for about 5 coats ~30$
http://www.greenstouch.com/images/background/epoxy.jpg

I mixed epoxy with Black Dye and painted whole model.
http://www.greenstouch.com/images/background/model1.jpg

I sprinkled some sand on the entire model to give natural texture and cover epoxy glaze.
http://www.greenstouch.com/images/background/model2.jpg

Closeup. Great detail !!!
http://www.greenstouch.com/images/background/detail.jpg

I soaked entire model for few days just to be sure. Dye started to disappear but I was actually more satisfied with whole project after it lost some black color. I would need to put more epoxy coats to keep the original color.

Model inside the 10G tank with playsand.
http://www.greenstouch.com/images/background/model5.jpg

Final setup after 7 days. Saved a lot of money compare to Back-To-Nature background.
http://www.greenstouch.com/images/background/final.jpg

Join as at www.njas.net

[This message was edited by Jay Luto on Mon December 08 2003 at 06:47 PM.]

[George Willms]

I didn't need much convincing to do something else when I was in school. I often had the urge to clean the bathroom when it was time to do my homework!

George

Tank specs in profile

[Kim]

oh I see. I was really looking forward to seeing it with plants and fish Do you still have the background?

[jpmtotoro]

dude that rocks, i'm doing it. i have a spare 10 gallon now and plenty of lighting for it. how did you secure it to the back? i'm guessing the foam wanted to float like mad

JP