Diy 3D Background

[cfmurray4]

Hello all,

I want to make my own 3D background for my fish tank. I have seen on youtube some tutorials, but not too sure about the products they use. Cement is one that they use. Please give me some insight what is aquarium safe, and wont kill off my fish. Thank you!

 

[Trops_Newbie2012]

It depends what material you plan on using?

I made my own background using Polystyrene, sticking it together with aquarium safe silicone, then covered in concrete.

I used standard grade cement, you just have to rinse the background so that any chemicals that may be in it leech out.

I did this by filling and draining the tank 8 or 9 times.

Heres a link to My 3D background

Good luck.

Mike

 

[Westcoaster]

Here's one I'm building I also watched some vids, to be honest it's quite easy, I used 4" thick polystyrene sheet as I wanted to incorporate the heater and filter input and return behind and some air lines, I am using plastic mesh over the holes (to stop the fish going behind), to stop the thing floating the top has been notched out to fit under the plastic rim around the top edge and Im bonding in some magnets in the bottom corners. I tested out the cement finish on a scrap piece one with sand & one without I found its a tougher finish using pure cement, I am also sealing the cement with G4 pond sealer (tested on scrap piece it melts raw polystyrene so ensure proper coverage of cement). I'm also adding colour to my final cemet coat, I've found a guy on eBay that does sample size cement coloring ( item no. 110834891441 various colours available).
I would say get a piece of polystyrene and have a play.
Hope this helps.

here's the front.


View attachment 67310



and the back
View attachment 67309
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