[Wet Thumb Forum]-DIY background/styrofoam (pictures) - Page 4 - DIY Aquarium Projects

08-06-2003, 02:06 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<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

JamesHoftiezer · 08-07-2003, 01:44 AM

You can but I think the glass has to get thicker. It also may be question of how high. I know he asked me about the rim when I ordered it. He prefers the style I have but does accomodate people that plan on hanging hardware over the edge.

Considering glass aquariums are held together with silicone something has to keep it all together

Just shoot him an email and have him give you a call. Guy's name is Tom.

James Hoftiezer
Hoftiezer.Net - Journals and Libraries
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Rob A · 08-09-2003, 04:50 PM

Jay,
I know that they are really far away, but try calling Ocea Products in Navarre Fla. 850-939-0426 if you want. If they can build you what you want for a good price, I might be able to bring it up to you, depending on how big a tank you want. I come up to that part of the country a few times a month. Let me know what size you're thinking about and I'll look into bringing it up to you
Rob

Rob A
30 gal hex, fancy goldfish
30 gal african cichlid, 4 saulosi
20gal long community

08-09-2003, 05:17 PM

Thanks Rob

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

imported_Zhima · 12-08-2003, 12:44 AM

Sad news,

I did my background according to jay's method, but my dye disappointed me greatly... After 3 layers of color with epoxy, I did my last layer clear, just to make sure color is locked in better, but then my brown has turned purple, and my black has turned blue after rinsing the finnished board. It has turned so unnatural in blue and purple color~!

Therefore I would like to make a little suggestion to prevent this tragedy from happening, don't use clothe dye, try some other waterproof paint or color, since clear epoxy over-coat will lock whatever you painted anyways.

Zhima

12-08-2003, 03:41 PM

Thanks for your input Zhima.

I had the same experience where black faded to brownish/greyish, but at the end I liked it better.

-------------
Regards,
Jay Luto

imported_Zhima · 12-11-2003, 01:24 AM

Hi Jay, I would love it if it turned brown or greyish like yours, since it would be natural looking too~!

Now... Problems problems problems that I have!

1.) U have lots of sand on it, whereas I only have 1 sand layer on my fourth, so my board shows some of the "pinkness" of the pink styrofoam.

Pink + brown = more purple
Pink + Black = dark blue

So I should have used lots of sand in the first layer to cover up pink!!

2.) U mentioned that u mixed lots of dye

3.) sand scratched my new tank glass really hard... I think I should not sprinkle sand on the very last layer, instead, I can use the toothbrush to lightly dap on the paint when it's close to dry. it would give off the bumpy look.

Now I am painting my 5th layer with a yellow dye, since yellow makes every other color more natural. I am expecting brown and a bit of green... I hope this will rescue me... Coz this board is

$25+60+20=105 dollars.(styrofoam, glue, dye).

I would looove to hear more about methods to rescuing this board. I'll post my photos later

Zhima

12-11-2003, 03:19 AM

$105 ????

I hope you meant Canadian currency.

Entire background was done before tank was setup. I placed finished model inside, added sand, water -> done

Sand will scratch your glass if you are not careful when cleaning but besides that, there shouldn't be any problems.

-------------
Regards,
Jay Luto

imported_Zhima · 12-11-2003, 10:00 PM

yup, it's canadian dollars 105.
some of my sand stick to the side and scratched the glass, I guess I had to be more careful not to get sand on the side.

I painted last layer, and it turned out ok. I wonder how I can glue it to the glass tank with no black frame plastic edge. should I sand it?

[This message was edited by Zhima on Fri December 12 2003 at 01:24 AM.]

HitATree · 12-12-2003, 07:37 AM

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.