Building A Styrofoam Background

[fozzy_wozzy_woo]

Situation

This is the first part of Concept Of A 780 Litre (171 (uk) Gallons Or 206 (us) Gallon Tank Layout

Original post

Building the background from Styrofoam

So with the aquarium I am going to build a back drop and other good things for the tank.
So what have I done. Today I went out and purchased all the Styrofoam and pvc tubes that I will need.

See below

List

5 x small 45o junctions
5 x small ends
1 x 1m smalltube
5 x medium 45o junctions
5 x medium ends
1 x 1m medium tube
4 x large 90o junctions
4 x large ends
1 x 1m large tube
12 x polystyrenplaat (Styrofoam) 100x50x2 cm
12 x polystyrenplaat (Styrofoam) 100xx 59 x 4cm
2 x polystyrenplaat (Styrofoam) 80 x 60 x 15 (free)
1 x polystyrenplaat (Styrofoam) 65 x 34 x 10 (free)
2 x tubes of kit (silicone glue)
2 x sacks of cement
1 x dark brown pigment for the cement (still need to find it )
1 x medium brown pigment for cement (still need to find it )
1 x light brown pigment for cement (still need to find it )
1 x red pigment for cement (still need to find it )

So the idea is I’m going to make a background from Styrofoam. I will also make large rocks and caves with the Styrofoam and PVC

The only thing I am missing at this moment is the pigment

Ok the idea is this….
I will make a back drop with the Styrofoam sheets, I will cut out the sheets into sizes that will make nice size rocks and rock shapes on the back drop.

The three free pieces will make stones that will connect and join into the background. It will also make three large stones that will protrude from the background and bottom.
Im going to build the pvc tubs into the Styrofoam so they give caves for the creatures that need the dark.
The Cement will coat the front of the Styrofoam to make the texture of the stones.
The pigment is for the colour in the stones.

The large stones I’m making will also breach the water so the crabs and sit on the top and get the heat and light they want.

The one thing I need to look out for is the flowcontrol system I bought I will need to cut the foam to fit it.

End of part one….

 

[scotto]

Wow, ambitious little blighter aren't you. I can't wait to see what happens in this and the original topics. Good luck with everything!!

 

[fozzy_wozzy_woo]

OK part 2...
20/04/2006


So when I left you I'd made a stone

So what I have now done is to measure the backdrop and cut it into a size that will be easy to place back into the aquarium once I have made all the shapes that I need to .

Today’s Stage one is as follows.

I have used 6x (100x50x4cm) Styrofoam sheets to set up the basic background.

I have also setup the PVC caves ready to install in the foam.

See Picture below

Whilst the background dries where I joined two pieces together. I decided to make my second stone. This will be attached to the background and lean forward and poke out of the water.
The first stone will now lay on the bottom of the tank to provide shelter for the larger algae eating fish.

See below.

So once this was done I stated on the two end pieces.
What I have done with the end pieces is to use the cut out pieces that were left over from the stones and mold stone shaped pieces that I glued to the background with silicone kit.

In the corners I glued the right angle corners that I initially cut from the stones. This gives it a rounder look. After placing a few pieces on the background I have added two pvc tubes to these back ground slabs.

See below

Next I will work on the centre pieces and add more to the side pieces.

Up and coming …
Adding cement to the slabs,
Gluing the back ground to the glass
Giving the cement texture
Colouring the cement with cement pigment
Curing the cement with salt water.

 

[SkiFletch]

how are you planning on counteracting the fact that styrofoam floats? And did you figure out a paint for it yet?

 

[bobf]

how are you planning on counteracting the fact that styrofoam floats? And did you figure out a paint for it yet?

And the other thought is if it sticks out the water in the centre will it stand up to the heat from the lights - I'm assuming it be okay but thought it worth a mention?

 

[fozzy_wozzy_woo]

how are you planning on counteracting the fact that styrofoam floats? And did you figure out a paint for it yet?

Well what im going to do is kit the back of the foam and stick it to the glass. but also i will be coating the foam with a layer of cement (fish friendly) but i can do this until i find the pigment i need.

I think I have found the pigment. I need to go to a a large specialist for it but the cant tell me if it is toxic to fish so unfortunatly i will need to sacrifice a neon tetra in a test aquarium i have.. sound cruel but its all in the name of fashion baby.....

Ok because styrofoam floats all of the styrofoam will be coated and textured with Fish frindly cement. well enough to hold it down. because it floats and the amount of cement i will be laying it will keep the weight off of the glass.

because i have to add the pigment at the same time as putting the cement on i cant do any thing until i have the pigment. Im goin out at lunch to get it.

 

[SkiFletch]

Interesting... I really cant wait to see if this works

What kind of lights and what photoperiod are you going to run on the tank?

 

[fozzy_wozzy_woo]

Interesting... I really cant wait to see if this works

What kind of lights and what photoperiod are you going to run on the tank?

Initially i will have

T8 Tube Light Osram 11 58W
T8 Tube Light Narva 860 58W
T8 Tube Light Growlux 58W
T8 Tube Light AquaStar 58W

then i will also include 3 x 100w daylight no UV Diamond lights

I am also looking to install 2 x HQI 150w special Philips grow lamps

i will then look to see what spare room i have under the lid at that point as i will add more T5 or T8 tubes where i have room.

But all this will be in my Hood construction post which comes after making my bio tank.

 

[simonbrown403]

if you can't finding non toxic paint, you could use ordinary and seal it with a epoxy such as this
http/www.westsystem.com

another option is to use the product in the link and cure it

http/www.quikrete.com/catalog/HydraulicW...StopCement.html

I've read posts about people useing coloured aquarium sands of diffrent colours to make the rock look life likeand textured.

 

[fozzy_wozzy_woo]

thanks for that. i will keep that in mind for future things as i have found on the internet that the pigment is fish frindly. but what i am now going to do is coat thet whole thing in cement, then when it is dry i will mix 4 pots of cement with each pot per colour.

I will then paint the other cement with the new coloured cement. this will also give me the ability to make shadows and textures in the back ground.

I may need to get a few mor pots to mix the colours a bit better.

I will cement this weekend as i have a few parties to go to.

report for today will come soona s i am almost finished with the molding of the stuff.

 

[fozzy_wozzy_woo]

Ok
Today was the last day of molding the background.

I thought i wanted to add all the caves during the installations but it just didnt fit in all the installations.

So today I got a bit more adventurous and started carving out more thick blocks of the foam. I was able to hide the most of the cave.

The best tool I found for carving was a bread knife. This just sliced through the foam.

I have also added the instant foam as well to smooth off the edges. All I need to do is to carve the instant foam .
I will use an electric sander to do this as it will give a more of a rounded edge than a hacking away with a knife.

So here are he pictures to see what I have done in the last day.

Next stage

The next stage is to cement the foam so get the mixer out…..


BEFORE

AFTER

 

[SkiFletch]

That looks really cool, cant wait to see what it looks like painted. And man, vaccuming up all that styrofoam is going to be fun

 

[fozzy_wozzy_woo]

That looks really cool, cant wait to see what it looks like painted. And man, vaccuming up all that styrofoam is going to be fun

Yea claning the foam will be interesting as it is now throughout the house ... AHHHHHH

I think i will make some small stones that will lay on the bottom of the tank holding the spare caves left over.

 

[bobf]

Just a thought...

I've seen 'hot knife' tips for a soldering iron which would allow you to make much smoother cuts without all the foam 'crumbs' - don't know if that sort of thing makes it over the channel though?

Applying some heat to a knife blade would have the same effect.

 

[fozzy_wozzy_woo]

Just a thought...

I've seen 'hot knife' tips for a soldering iron which would allow you to make much smoother cuts without all the foam 'crumbs' - don't know if that sort of thing makes it over the channel though?

Applying some heat to a knife blade would have the same effect.

I was going to use a small bunsen burner type thing but i coundnt find it and i dont have any onther form of gas in the house at the moment. so i just had to cuff it.

I found another one which im going to get this weekend. this will then seal all the foam together which will make it easier to cement.
Its really only a quick blast i need to do.
I have to be carefull though as it is very flamable

Thanks for the good suggestion.