DIY 3d rock background

[j2daff]

H i all,


Well here's goes the start of mu guide. I have read a number of guides, some of which are linked at the bottom this post. There were some really good guides on the forum before the crash. These guides broke down the products to look for and where to get them.


Step 1 - supplies

Styrofoam sheets and miscellaneous pieces. Make sure to get enough for what ever tank size you and putting the background into.
Concrete (not sure on what type at this point)
steak Knife or other carving tools
box cutter
cheap paint brush(s)
aquarium safe silicone (I used GE I 100% silicon)
hot air gun (torch or lighter could be used instead)
Tape measure
marker (which I did not use but would still recommend)
Sand Paper (optional, I did not use)
gloves (optional but recommended)
Concrete colouring (not sure on what to use yet or where to find it. Some people may also just paint afterwords but IMO colouring the concrete itself should be a more natural look)

A concrete sealant/resin (not sure on what or where to find it)

I would prefer to seal the concrete and would really like some recommend some suggestions of the subject. Many guides do not use it but the ones that due say it is a must. There is a quote below from a guide that insists on sealing for reference.

"The next step is to put a layer of epoxy resin over the background. This ensures that no toxic fluids will get in the water and the fish won't destroy your background. Some fish will scrape the cement of the styrofoam and your background will be destroyed. Another good reason to use epoxy is that because of the cement your PH will rise and the epoxy creates a barrier between the cement and the water."
Do-It-Yourself Aquarium background


Step 2

measure and cut your Styrofoam to to fit your tank. Plan and cut location for your equipment (heater, filter etc). You can do this at a later step but make sure you keep it in mind though out as it will be a lot more difficult to add cut out locations for equipment once you start to concrete.



Step 3 - silicon together your styofoam pieces where needed.

Some people will will pre-carve the pieces and glue them on like rock shaped tiles. I elected not to do this as my syrofoam was 3 inches thick to begin with. Here's some pics





Guide continued at my next post...


other guide for reference:
my diy background - MonsterFishKeepers.com
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/article...background.php
Metacafe - Online Video Entertainment - Free video clips for your enjoyment
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/article...background.php
http://www.aquariumuniverse.com/aqua...d-aquarium.php
DIY Aquarium Background
Ma...ground 202438 « Wonder How To

[jay_leask]

try this...
http://www.aquariumlife.net/projects...oration/17.asp

[j2daff]

Step 4 - carving


This step is messy. I was told I had to do it outside but did not listen

Using your various tools carve out your Styrofoam into rock formations. Keep in mind locations locations for your equipment as mentioned above. I recommend using your marker to draw out a plan on the Styrofoam. I did not draw out a thing and although I pretty much winged it I had an idea of what I wanted to accomplish. There were a few things I did not like along the way (which you will notice in the pics) and decided to change but over all I am fairly happy.

You will also need to section you background into a number a piece to fit it into the tank. I planned on 3 pieces but ended up dividing it into 4 pieces.

Here's some pics of the process










more pics in next post

[neven]

before scrolling down i was gonna post one of my favourite guides to a 3d background:

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/article...ackground3.php

its one of the few ones for a small aquarium steps may not be the best, but its not the typical round rock style you see

[j2daff]

step 4 continues...

[j2daff]

Step 5 - "detailing" with hot air gun

use the hot air gun to lightly melt the Styrofoam. This is not 100% necessary but it will solidify the foam and give a look that is a little more rock like. Be careful not to over melt.

Make sure you do this is in a well vented area as it will produce toxic fumes...






Step 6 - concreting

Started with a watery coat let it sit till the next evening and then did another watery coat. It seems that the Styrofoam twists in some area when moved and chips off some of concrete. Have done a thick layer and plan on doing at leased 1 more before adding any colour. Hopefully this will make it sturdy

Here's some pictures of the process so far

[j2daff]

Step 6 continued

[Morainy]

This is quite an amazing project!

[Maxxxboost]

Very nice! keep it up. Can't wait to see the finished piece.

[Hammer]

nice sculpting. I think you asked a question about colouring. I used a product based on iron oxide from the store near Brentwood Mall in Burnaby. The actual concrete as a potable water safe product (the same one used on that cichlid forum by a guy called Mehmet (sp). That prouct is called Sika Top seal 107 and the colour tints inert. I didn't seal mine, I just cured it under water after it set added some salt and then refilled about five times over the course of two weeks. The product is not supposed to alter water chemistry too much, but it did raise the Ph initially. It stablized after about a week. Sealing it might be a good idea. I think people use marine epoxy. See what the guy who did the stump used (earlier thread).

Ohh yeah...mine has had fish thriving for about two years now.

Cheers

Hammer