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

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.]

[tito]

I was looking to make this project but i cant seem to find the epoxy and the silicone locally, with the exception of the silicon made specifically for aquariums which is like $5 a small tube. Too expensive for me!! I can only find the small little squeeze bottle of epoxy. Is there any alternative to the epoxy and any other brand or type of silicon that would be good for this project? Would really appreciate any input because i have already cut the styrofoam and am just waiting on the rest.

Tito,

As I stated in initial post, Epoxy was the most expensive thing in this project - $30.

I don't know where in Texas you live but you can get West System brand in the following towns.

http://www.westsystem.com/webpages/p...s/us/texas.htm

[jporduna]

Gracias Jay

Mira lo que logre con tu tecnica.

Background

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

[jpmtotoro]

i still wanna know how you attached it. just good old silicone or something?

[2la]

Absolute perfection, Jay. I'm setting up a 75G Tanganyikan tank and was going to do this very thing, but without clear visuals I'm an absolute fumble fingers. 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? I'm reserving this weekend for this project.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Rob A:
It looks really cool. BTW, what type of fish are going into the 10 gal?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Rob,
I was going to use Neolamprologus multifasciatus but couldn't find them anywhere locally. I gave up and did Biotopia tank.

[Kim]

Great background! What section of Home Depot would I find sheets of styrofoam?

btw do you have a pic with water,fish, and plants?

[Ron Nelson]

OK then maybe do the 2 back pieces totally vertical and do a wider cover piece with lots of zig zags to it to make it look like rock features??? Just offering ideas...

Ron