Aquarium Background

[TrickySpot]

Hi Guys,
 
I'm getting a Juwel Vision 450 next week and wanted to use the Juwel rock-looking background 'panels', but every photo I see of them, the seams are so very obvious, its put me off. I was thinking of doing my own after watching guys on youtube and planned something like:
 
1. Styrofoam for basic shape
2. coat in fish friendly clear silicone
3. cover in sand while silicone is wet, remove excess sand
4. paint with a clear epoxy sealer (also fish friendly)
 
Does this sound like it would work? I have the sand and silicone and paint, I can buy a few Styrofoam sheets of ebay to start.
 
Thanks!
 
 

 

[l_l_l]

If you saw Joey the DIY King do it on youtube, do it.

 

[Ninjouzata]

Sounds like it'd work to me.
 
Here are two threads where people have made their own backgrounds, maybe they'll be of some help. Alasse's 5ft and Eduller's

 

[EllieJellyEllie]

That sounds like a great idea. There are many options. 
 
Remember that foam floats so you need ALOT of sealent and its pretty permanent, no going back
 
Expanding foam also can give more texture, and you can use the powder cement colors for even more texture. Ive never made one myself but I love reading DIY things! 

 

[TrickySpot]

That sounds like a great idea. There are many options. 
 
Remember that foam floats so you need ALOT of sealent and its pretty permanent, no going back

 
Expanding foam also can give more texture, and you can use the powder cement colors for even more texture. Ive never made one myself but I love reading DIY things! 

 
Yeah, its exactly why its so permanent that I want to try my own...I can't live with the joint lines in the Juwel ones.....okay going to buy some foam now

I'll keep posting images, perhaps it can help other people who want to try!

 

[Lunar Jetman]

I like the sound of this and the two examples from Ninj look good too. However I'm thinking of doing the same for my already established tank so don't really want to empty and glue it in so need to have a think about a less buoyant background so it won't float!

 

[TrickySpot]

I want to do it for my established Juwel Vision 180 as well, if it works...was thinking of emptying tank 1/2, siliconing top half very well and allowing sand and pebbles at bottom to hold it against the tank wall. I don't know if this is a good solution.....otherwise it'll have to be a fish swap and empty to fit it, not something I'm keen on!
 
I've started a thread in the fresh water section where I'll put details and photos as I progress, in case people want to follow or try for themselves!

 

[Alasse]

Remember that foam floats so you need ALOT of sealent and its pretty permanent, no going back

Actually, i havent used very much silicone to hold it in there and nope its not permanant. It can be removed if you wish to. Yep its a bit of effort, and the BG will not survive the extraction lol, but it can be done