My New Tank/building Stand & 3D Background

[curlyriff]

Hey everyone.

I have decided I want to do a Cichlid type tank with a nice 3D rock background. The tank has an Internal Sump and dimensions are 1217x460x710mm (LxDxH) now I have built a stand using thermolite blocks and 18mm ply which are stuck together with Sticks Like Sh*t (works very well).

Now I am currently trying to order some Acrylic Sheets to finish the look of the stand but they seem costly. I am looking to use two side sheets and a front sheet. The tank itself is covered in black acrylic so I am matching that. I will need 1No. 1223x3x610mm (LxDxH) sheet and 2No. 460x3x610mm (LxDxH) sheets with polished edges delivered. My best qoute at the moment is around £80. Does anyone know where else I can get some from.

I need to use an underlay for my tank as it has no frame so was thinking I could just use a camping mat and cut it to size? The base of the tank is actually 24mm thick but I have a little damage to the rear of the tank on the corner so thought it was best to use the underlay just to spread the load although I don't think it will fail. The 18mm ply I have used for the top is marine grade and is perfectly flat as well.

Now my second part of my DIY project is to build a 3D background. Now I have been looking around for that pink styrofoam but just can't find any so have opted to use insulation boards made from polystyene. Is this alright? I will then do the usual concrete finish using postcrete with a charcoal pigment to give a nice colour.

I have been advised to use an epoxy resin after which should protect the background and make sure that the fish do not break away at the background long term. I am not sure how far epoxy goes generally as I have never used it. Anyone got any experiance with the stuff? The best I have found for the price is Syntac 220 which costs £26.58 for a 1.5kg including hardener.

Now is there any problems with using the materials above as listed. Any alternatives?

To give an idea on layout I have attached a plan of the tank how I see my 3D background working along with the planting scheme. Any advise or comments appreciated.

I am not total sure what I am putting in the tank but thinking some tangs most likely.

The other thing I have to consider is lighting as I do not currently have any. I am either going for ceiling mounted or wall bracket design and with how my 3D background works it would only need to light just under 2/3rds of the tank length but I can't imagine how this would look with something so visable and not being same length of tank so again any ideas or thoughts for this would be most appreciated.

Thanks for any input.

Kind Regards,

Adam

 

[rdstars]

From my hunting for information a long time ago using concerete type of coverings can cause the PH levels to change alot.

I used two polystyrien sheets from Wicks, Emulsion paint, Fish Tank Silicone, Fiberglass Resin. Total cost must have been under £50 as I am a cheap skate (well poor)

I can later upload some photos on how I built mine later tonight, as in how I cut the shapes from start to finish. There was a fair few problems I came across but just say if you want me to do a little write up.

 

[curlyriff]

 

[curlyriff]

From my hunting for information a long time ago using concerete type of coverings can cause the PH levels to change alot.

I used two polystyrien sheets from Wicks, Emulsion paint, Fish Tank Silicone, Fiberglass Resin. Total cost must have been under £50 as I am a cheap skate (well poor)

I can later upload some photos on how I built mine later tonight, as in how I cut the shapes from start to finish. There was a fair few problems I came across but just say if you want me to do a little write up.

Cheers a little write up would be much appreaciated.

The reason I was going to use Epoxy Resin was to stop the PH level rises. It creates a waterproof barrier between the concrete and the water and also keeps a hardened surface which seems to reduce algea growth although I suspect it would also reduce any abiltity for friends bacteria to grow on the surface.

But again I am only reading up what others have said/used. The poly sheets from wickes should be the same as mine. I need to get some paint to paint sides black instead of white but don't know what to use. Is Emulsion paint aquarium safe? Since the way I am looking to build my 3D background I shouldn't ahve to Silicone it in place as it is going to have a base full size of tank covered in concrete and then put the coral sand over to hold it all down and to give some structural support because of the column.

At the moment I am toying with the idea of removing all the braces and adding the 3D background in one go and then reapplying the braces with aquarium safe silicon after but not sure how easy this would be?

The tank shape as shown above means that I either have to slide each piece of poly in and carve in the tank or build it out and remove the braces as above.

What is the easiest thing to use to remove the braces with and clean the silicon up? If it is not too difficult I will remove all the bracing tomorrow and clean it all up as the tank is 2nd hand.

Kind Regards,

Adam

 

[rdstars]

I lost alot of data and photos a while back when my pc went Belly up so all I can add is the first stage of the build.

I will add that I take no responsibility in what other do, if people end up with dead fish/plants, burn down there house or harm them selfs it is there fault.

This is from memory and I could be wrong, bering in mind it was nearly 2 years ago that I built the 3D.

With paint I think I found that emulsion goes "inhert" and water prof when fully cured. An evening of Google'ing will give some idea of all this.

Carnt remember what Fiberglass Resin I used but Google'ing will again explain which one to use. Got a 5L off ebay for around £20-30. I think again it is Boat resin. Should give some ideas when using google.

Here are some photos, I'll add some blurb at the end:

First sheet I drew a few rocks all rough, 30 seconds work, then hacked at it with the plaster board saw.

I then made rough templates out of paper of the high pionts ie: the stone work. With these templates I cut/hacked there rough shape out of the other sheet of Polly.

With the rough shapes I stuck them to there original ones on the main sheet.

After that into the shed and with a Gas torch and very lightly went over the polly, this got rid of the little polly balls moulding/melting it all together and genuraly created the shapes.

I then cut into 3 pieces so it would fit into the tank for a test fit.

After it was a few coats of paint letting it dry after each.

After that it was paint on the Fiber Glass Resin. this is where it went Belly up so to speek. The Resin did melt areas of the polly and when I fitted it all back in there were now gaps, nothing a tube of silicone wont fix though.

Look closely and you will see all my imperfections, BUT a few people who have seen it think it was planed that way. Just looks like that holed marine type rock you see in Malawi tanks.


Well thats all I can remember but should give people a start on what to research when google'ing.

 

[curlyriff]

Cheers for all the info and pictures. I have just started googling for the paint. Seem to be allot of conflicting info on this and what is best to use so prepared for a long night.

I think I need to get a little heat gun or similar then just to go over the poly before i concrete it up to give it a smoother finish to the rocks I am trying to replicate.

You background looks great and if mine is half as good I would be happy. Will be studying this for a while yet.

Kind Regards,

Adam

P.S may have a few questions later to jog your memory to help me. I am picking up the poly sheets at the weekend.

 

[rdstars]

No worries, it's all down to what research you do and what you decide. As you can see there is alot of conflict out there and there is no right or wrong way of doing it. My decision not to use cement type products was down to the PH being effected, I doubt it would hurt much but that was just my decision.

I've lost one fish and that was recently so nothing caused from this tank, that was I think swim bladder with my Firemouth.

Just remember that the Polly could go up in flames and melts very quick, cheap gas blow lamps can be had from DIY shop for a couple of pound, I like playing with things so dident mind, I do have an electric heat gun but never used it.

Still one thing I did was fill the tank a few times over a couple of days just to be sure.

 

[Skins]

Very impressive

Keith.

 

[bonzo]

That looks pretty dam good. Well done mate.

 

[curlyriff]

Was wondering if anyone knew where to get high density styrofoam as googling does not reveal much. Needs to be in sheets minimum 750x750mm and between 15 & 100mm in thickness. I have tried searching but with not much luck.

I am UK based just in case. Otherwise I am picking up the poly tomorrow. Was just looking for something that could be sanded smooth and can have resin directly applied.

kind regards.

Adam

 

[Euston]

rdstars that's really good..

Oh and I want your gixer!!

 

[rdstars]

rdstars that's really good..

Oh and I want your gixer!!

Thanks it was my first attempt and has lasted the test of time with all fish growing well, only had one die recently and that was Swim Bladder with a Firemouth, nothing to do with the tank.

Ops yeh the Gixer, that was a nice bike, sold it nearly 2 years ago when I killed 2nd gear, replaced it with a Thunderace but thats a little boring.

Anyway back on subject, anyone else got a 3D build they like to share.

 

[curlyriff]

Hey everyone. Has anyone else got some inspiration photos. Ideas they want to see or anything. Any input on my little plan above. Just to describe it a little. The intake for the sump is in the right corner. The outlet is the spray bar to the left but I may get some new tubing and just run two larger outlets one to fire at top of tank for agitation and one lower to help circulate the water.

I have some stainless steel mesh that I was going to put silicon over and black sand or similar to hide it. Obviously will be time consuming. Or I could just spray it black with aquarium safe paint.

Any input most welcome.

Kind Regards,

Adam