Diy 3D Background

[weezawoo]

Hey
I have been thinking I am possibly liking the idea of a 3D background, I am bored with the plastic stuck on the back of my tank
But for the size tank I have they seem soooo expensive! Also I don't want one too thick as it would take up too much water space. I was thinking I could incorporate my bogwood into it. I just wouldn't know what to use that is easy for me to get hold of. Anyone know of something that I could get that is safe in fish tanks? Or any cool ideas of something else to do, I might do sort of half the tank with it and just keep black on the top part like a bank, just to add a bit more to my tank!!

Probably nothing I could get for it!!

Thanks for anything you can suggest!!!

 

[coldcazzie]

if you have a look in the diy section theres quite a few threads of ppl doing backgrounds out of polystyrene and covering with cement or sand

 

[ZoddyZod]

if you have a look in the diy section theres quite a few threads of ppl doing backgrounds out of polystyrene and covering with cement or sand

+1

or try the advance search using "DIY background" and you get loads ot threads - you need to inlude the "" in the search field.

 

[weezawoo]

ah ok, sometimes when I use the search I get tons of results and never know which to look at, I could be here or hours!! Also forgot about there being a DIY section!!! duh!!!

 

[BIG BAD BARRY]

I dont think we have seen any real cost breakdowns for diy 3D backgrounds yet.
The biggest cost appears to be coming from trying to water proof the structure and/or stopping the cement when it is used from leaching chemicals into the water. Epoxy resin is expensive.
3D backgrounds really appeal to me but wont takethe plunge just yet.

There are some fantastic examples here and on the net that people have made.
Some people will make their own backgrounds to get the look they are after rather than get ready made, good on them!
You have to consider issues such as plecs/catfish sucking on them and how you have to be careful cleaning some of them.

Look forward to seeing your efforts. Good luck.

 

[weezawoo]

Thanks!! If I go ahead with it I will post it in my tank journal. Just looking at costings, time and effort don't bother me, I enjoy stuf like this!! Can't find the styrofoam though anywhere like b&Q etc so not a good start

 

[symon_say]

Search on youtube there some really good videos about DIY projects.

 

[weezawoo]

I will have a look at youtube later when I am home. I am at work at the moment, not meant to be on here

I have seen epoxy resin on ebay for some small tubes at a couple £ but would need a couple tubes I am guessing. They say it covers quite a big space but I would double cover it to make sure!!! I guess getting 5 tubes wouldn't hurt haha!!! Also trying to find suitable paint!