3D Background Project
 

Well a few weeks ago I decided to build myself a 3D background. I decided to use 1/2" thick green foam board from Lowes. I didnt take too many pics starting out as I really didnt expect it to turn out that great, but now that its done, I think it turned out quite nice. I just made some random cuts and stuck them all together using GE Silicone I. I then coated everything with some Drylock hydrolic cement that I had colored black. Then a couple of other coats using the same thing colored in buff and grey and a combinations of the three colors. I ran short and ended up doing a final coat in buff colored stucco cement. I made a coule of shelfs with straight up rock formations and a small hole to be used for a planter. I will eventually end up finishing it off with some driftwood that I gathered and play sand as substrate. But for now I am still letting it soak and doing regular water changes to leech out anything that I can and allow the pH stable out. Here are a few pics of it going together and some of the coloring steps and some crappy pics of it in the tank. I will work on some better pics, but having a hard time getting any good ones.

Todd

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WOW-- this is amazing, looks just like one of those (expensive) store bought ones!

Good job on this, I wish I had that kind of skill! :-D

He has skills..... Nice job!

Thanks for the comments, I think it turned out pretty good if I do say so myself. Cant wait to get some fish in there. It was a lot of work though, but actually really easy. Just time consuming. I had the help of a table saw and band saw to make all of my cuts so that simplified things some. I just googled tuts and instructables for 3d backgrounds and went after it. They all pretty much said to do the same things. I beleive anyone can do it, just have to be patient and not expect to do it overnight, that was a tough one for me. In the end, it might be easier to just pony up the cash and buy one, I'm just one of those DIYer. All together I have about $50 and probably about 8 or 10 hours working on it. I just worked on it a little at a time when I had a some free time.

This background (please excuse the expression) rocks!

I think it's great, because it is so original. Even though the pre-fabricated ones are expensive, the one I buy is gonna look like everyone else's. But this is a wonderful use of your artistic skill to bring something unique to your aquarium-keeping.

Very inspirational. Thanks for sharing it.

Very Beautiful! You got Skills, And It is a work of art.

Wow...Fantastic job, Peanut!! My husband's been playing around lately trying to do the same thing. I have a rack that holds 4-10g's. He thought he'd start off with those, since they're so small, lol. I love the idea of the hollow area for use as a planter, and the columns are cool!

Wow, looks great!

you did an amazing job, very cool. im more of a why DIY when you can pay to have it done... kind of girl