Dave Legacy
Fish Crazy
Some of you may recall that I was building a 3D Background out of polystyrene and a special type of cement used to waterproof potable water containers. Here's the link explaining the process and displaying the photos of my progress: Mangrove 3D Background
I decided to scrap that background and start fresh. The problem with it is that the root structure was cut from a single layer of polystyrene, although it was three-dimensional by definition, it lacked depth and realism and that's what I was ultimately shooting for. The good news is that I'll keep it just in case I use it for the second draft.
The idea for the next attempt is a mud or sand embankment. Something that contains multiple "steps" that graduate down from the top. I'm thinking I will start by layering several sheets of polystyrene and then shaping it down from there. I'll finally coat it with epoxy to strengthen the surface and finish with a sand top coat or a sandy/muddy colored concrete. I was thinking I could maybe incorporate a large mangrove tree trunk, or maybe a few roots at the same time. I was also thinking I could tie my mangrove saplings up high in the tank and let the roots grow downward until they secure themselves in the substrate to help promote prop roots as well with the help of the tidal system I'm building.
Before I get started, I wanted to know if any of you had any ideas or recommendations. I'm still in the blueprinting/design stage so there's still time to come up with great ideas to hopefully create perfection the second time around. Think mangrove shoreline!
Thanks in advance,
Dave
BTW, I'll probably take Neale's advice and write up an article to submit to TFH Magazine or to be posted online somewhere at the very least.
I decided to scrap that background and start fresh. The problem with it is that the root structure was cut from a single layer of polystyrene, although it was three-dimensional by definition, it lacked depth and realism and that's what I was ultimately shooting for. The good news is that I'll keep it just in case I use it for the second draft.
The idea for the next attempt is a mud or sand embankment. Something that contains multiple "steps" that graduate down from the top. I'm thinking I will start by layering several sheets of polystyrene and then shaping it down from there. I'll finally coat it with epoxy to strengthen the surface and finish with a sand top coat or a sandy/muddy colored concrete. I was thinking I could maybe incorporate a large mangrove tree trunk, or maybe a few roots at the same time. I was also thinking I could tie my mangrove saplings up high in the tank and let the roots grow downward until they secure themselves in the substrate to help promote prop roots as well with the help of the tidal system I'm building.
Before I get started, I wanted to know if any of you had any ideas or recommendations. I'm still in the blueprinting/design stage so there's still time to come up with great ideas to hopefully create perfection the second time around. Think mangrove shoreline!
Thanks in advance,
Dave
BTW, I'll probably take Neale's advice and write up an article to submit to TFH Magazine or to be posted online somewhere at the very least.
