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

[Paul Higashikawa]

It is to my understanding that some people will hide their equipments behind the background, while others simply use plants and wood/bark to cover them. I am guessing if you hide them behind the background then you would end up having less tank space to work with. So maybe one could get a wider tank to have spare room in the back reserved for such purpose, or again, arrange your plants and woods in such a way as to make the equipments inconspicuous.



Paul

[HitATree]

Also, is it positive that the epoxy is aquarium safe. To my understanding, it is sold at boat retailers and used to fix plastics and fiberglass. Just want to make sure but i am making one of my own right now. I'll try to get some pics up.

[Stevenl]

OMG Debby the color of your background board really looks like the color of xxx....

But it looks natural nonetheless...



66G tank with 3 wpg NO Fluroscent,and 50/50 flourite substrate, UV sterilizer, DIY CO2 (upgrade soon!)

[Paul Higashikawa]

hahahaha, gosh, don't say it, please! I am about to have my dinner, man!



Paul

[mm12463]

Zhima that is amazing. I bet it will look fantastic in the tank with plants!! Great job. Do you have any photos of it in the tank with plants yet?

Mike
http://fish.silver-fox.us

[imported_Zhima]

HitATree (nice name btw), I heard a few people used epoxy glue or paint for the background board without any bad news, so I am assuming it's safe (I am just Monkey-C-Monkey-Doing). Plus they are used for boats, and that gives me the idea that it's permanent and waterproof.

Steeeeeve... yah, but the wood color is fading and it's getting chunkier, now it looks like xxx with corn cobs and stuff...

"Major color fading"

Current condition

Thanks for the comment Mike, thanks all the teaching from Jay I am still soaking it, but I'll put the photo up once it's set up in the tank. I changed the brand of my dye, and apparently, the black dye turned into blue again. I have no luck getting black to stay black, but I did change the purple color of the wood piece by adding yellow dye. It's my 3rd day soaking and I changed the water every day; it's still losing a bit of color. Since I am so finicky and fish loving, I'll have it set up only when there's no color leak. Meanwhile, I am integrating my diy reactor into the background board and trying to fit things in.

I am trying all possible ways to fit things the better looking way, so things get kind of slowed down. I'll post my reactor later too.

[This message was edited by Zhima on Wed December 17 2003 at 02:03 AM.]

[Stevenl]

That looks better!
But won't it be kinda green...? are you going to paint it again?



66G tank with 3 wpg NO Fluroscent,and 50/50 flourite substrate, UV sterilizer, DIY CO2 (upgrade soon!)

[imported_Zhima]

~~Problems~~

I filled the tank with my old tank water and put plants in. The next day I added fish, and my fish seemed to be gasping for air a lot. I did immediate 1/4 water change and the fish still gasp for air.

Everything is new, no co2 injections yet. Only filter and heater are running... what's wrong?

substrate: eco-complete
filter media: sponge
pH: 7.4
temperture:26 deg C
KH: 60ppm (3.4 deg)
calculated CO2: 4ppm
GH: 60ppm

My immediate thought is the background board material: glue, color dye, or epoxy

Jay, have u had this problem before?

I don't think I would leave the fish in the tank over night, it's too risky...

<font color="#6699cc">

Zhima</font>

[Neight Goetz]

Impressive!
I thought I was talanted for spraying flexstone for a background.
Will Javamoss and anubias grow on the styrofoam?
If so, how could you attach them?
N8

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Neight Goetz:
Impressive!
I thought I was talanted for spraying flexstone for a background.
Will Javamoss and anubias grow on the styrofoam?
If so, how could you attach them?
N8<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Anything will work. Just use your imagination. Some stainless steel wire will do.

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Regards,
Jay Luto