[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.]

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.]

[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

[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.

[JamesHoftiezer]

Awesome project

James Hoftiezer

Tank Journal - Aquascape ( Latest / Archive )
Tank Journal - Parts and Construction ( Latest / Archive )

<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

[jpmtotoro]

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

[2la]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Jay Luto:
+ I was able to get brownish color b/c while soaking entire setup in water, model started to loose dye.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I think I worry most about the pink showing through the epoxy. I take it you add enough dye that that doesn't happen?

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Remember !!!
+ Do few layers of epoxy.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Um, just to be clear, are you warning FOR or AGAINST using multiple layers of epoxy? I.e., saying "Do few layers of epoxy" is very different from saying "Do A few layers of epoxy." I know people tend to drop certain words when typing and I just want to be sure.

Anyways, got all of my supplies. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any styrofoam thicker than 2", and it was over double what you paid for it. I'm going to have to plan this carefully if I want to make lots of outcroppings.

Thanks, Jay.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by jpmtotoro:
i still wanna know how you attached it. just good old silicone or something?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Model was cut perfectly to fit into tank. I was able to put it at the angle and then squeeze it in under black top frame.

Join as at www.njas.net

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>I think I worry most about the pink showing through the epoxy. I take it you add enough dye that that doesn't happen?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I made small mix and then added 1 tablespoon of dye. Final mix was verrrryyyyyy dark.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Remember !!!
+ Do few layers of epoxy.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Do many layers of epoxy. I would recommend ~5 layers. Sprinkle sand between each layer for texture effect.

I don't think mine was thicker than 2". Does it look like the one on the picture ?. I saw 2 kinds in HD; 1" and ~2" <-- one I used.

Good luck

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