3D Background

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Trops_Newbie2012

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Hi all,

I started adding my photo's of the process of making my 3D background in another post, but I thought it best to have a separate thread for anyone thinking of making their own (and to get peoples thoughts)

Step 1: Piecing together the polystyrene bricks.

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The finished first step:

IMG_0373.jpg


Step 2: Cover in a few layers of concrete.

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I did the first layer runny, the second layer thick (to give texture) then the third layer semi runny to get the coverage.

After the concrete was dry, I was worried about concrete leaching too much into the water, so I covered with pond sealer.

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After a week or so drying, it was time to put it in the tank.

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I didn't think properly at first, the polystyrene as you know floats!! no matter how much concrete you plaster on the thing it still floats.

So I had to silicone the whole thing down and then gravel around it.

Please let me know your comments on the background or even the process itself?

Anyone else made a background?

Mike
 
I made mine using the denser pink insulation sheets (less messy than polystyrene) also if you add heat from a blow torch it smooths it off nice.
I then coated it in epoxy resin and kiln dried sand.


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Uploaded with ImageShack.us
 
Added some silk plants today.

Dont fancy a planted.

COming along nicely, and the backgrounds seems all leeched out.

Putting in soem ammonia tomorrow and kick starting that cycle.....

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Mike
 

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