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.]
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