3D Tank Backgrounds

[FishNturt808]

You really could build a 3D background for no more than 100$. All you need is foam, cement, and epoxy resin (all fish safe of course). And you could have a background that you built, so your specifications, your design preferences, and the satisfaction knowing you did it vs paying $1000 or more, and I’m sure you could get it all done in less than the time it would take them to ship it.

 

[FishHobby99]

Yes! It can be done. I‘ve watched videos & read step by step instructions. I am about to start on similarly constructed hides for my cichlids & axies. Some large foam blocks & an electric cutter arrived yesterday. Some balls & half balls should be here soon. Just yesterday I watched a YouTube vid of a guy making a hide by layering tapered foam around PVC piping. He had T shaped pipe connectors. Thought the pipe inside the foam was a great idea. This company in Serbia sells fake rocks. But mine would be hallowed & can be used as hides. Didn’t price their rocks & shudder to think! These guys wanted $250 for a sample of the background.

 

[Colin_T]

Be careful using poly-urethane foam rubber. It contains cyanide and lots of harmful substances. And any dust released by it is really toxic.

DO NOT burn foam rubber because the fumes will kill you in seconds.

Wash it well before using it in a tank and then monitor the fish for poisoning.

 

[JuiceBox52]

Be careful using poly-urethane foam rubber. It contains cyanide and lots of harmful substances. And any dust released by it is really toxic.

DO NOT burn foam rubber because the fumes will kill you in seconds.

Wash it well before using it in a tank and then monitor the fish for poisoning.

I swear you know everything about everything our forum expert!!

 

[Colin_T]

I worked in a furniture factory when I was younger and the first thing they told me was to avoid the dust from the foam rubber. The second thing they told me was if the place ever caught on fire, was to run like hell and stuff everyone else in the building because they were already dead.

 

[WhistlingBadger]

Styrofoam is polystyrene, which is non-toxic to fish. I can't tell for sure, but I think that's what Jenny has. I wouldn't use polyurethane in a tank, either.

Jenny, it looks like you have the kind of foam that's made of of tiny polystyrene balls pressed together. I hope I'm wrong, as that stuff is fairly awful to work with. It will work, but the solid blue stuff is much, much better if you can get it. Work it with an old steak knife and a coarse file to get realistic stone textures.

 

[Colin_T]

Polystyrene foam is usually white.
Poly-urethane is normally grey.

The stuff in the pictures looks grey, hence my assumption it is poly-urethane.
If it's polystyrene, then that is different and is fine for the fish. However, it is also highly toxic when burning so don't set fire to it.

 

[FishHobby99]

Yes, it’s polystyrene & white as new snow. (underline unintentional, musta banged wrong key. Just noticed the tiny balls! horrors! I purchased an electric foam tool cutting kit. Hang on I’ll take a pic. Believe the hot wire melts the foam, so no fuss & muss they say. Haven‘t tried it.

 

[FishHobby99]

Styrofoam is polystyrene, which is non-toxic to fish. I can't tell for sure, but I think that's what Jenny has. I wouldn't use polyurethane in a tank, either.

Jenny, it looks like you have the kind of foam that's made of of tiny polystyrene balls pressed together. I hope I'm wrong, as that stuff is fairly awful to work with. It will work, but the solid blue stuff is much, much better if you can get it. Work it with an old steak knife and a coarse file to get realistic stone textures.

Do you think the weight of the cement,
painted on in layers, would be enough to prevent floating? I did see one guy in a gluing his down. Don’t like that. May need to remove for washing & if my design plans change.

 

[WhistlingBadger]

Are you talking about drylok paint? No, it won't weigh it down. This stuff is insanely buoyant. I glue it down with silicone. But I don't worry about washing it--a little bit of algae just makes it more realistic.

 

[FishHobby99]

No, it’s the cement product sold in large buckets or heavy sacks at home improvement stores & mixed with water. It is light grey & can be tinted. I saw a guy tint it black to get a slate looking appearance. It looks best when applied in thin multiple coats.

 

[FishHobby99]

Looks like i was wrong & it’s Drylock.

Make a 3D Aquarium Background

Make a 3D Aquarium Background: I made this background for my 120 gallon aquarium. It was actually pretty easy to make but it was very time consuming and messy. I'd definitely do it again though! It was a lot cheaper than buying a custom made background and you can make it exactly…

www.instructables.com

 

[Colin_T]

Just noticed the tiny balls! horrors! I purchased an electric foam tool cutting kit. Hang on I’ll take a pic. Believe the hot wire melts the foam, so no fuss & muss they say. Haven‘t tried it.

A hot wire cutting tool melts the foam and you don't end up with many (or any) foam beads/ balls coming off the foam. You can also use a sharp thin bladed knife and slice through the foam.

You can suck up the foam balls with a vacuum cleaner.

Don't let pets eat the foam because it doesn't pass through their digestive tract and can cause problems if they eat a lot.

 

[FishHobby99]

I plan to work in that big room downstairs that has only a furnace & the 6 support posts for the new tank. No pets allowed!

 

[FishNturt808]

The cement definitely won’t be heavy enough to sink it, unless you put a very very thick layer on it.