Polystyrene

[ripil]

hello
has anyone got any ideas on how to get hold of 120cm by 55cm by 25cm polystyrene? this is apart from going to b&q or wickes. ebay do bits but i want to make one 4 foot back ground. thanks

 

[Aquascaper]

I found B&Q was the only place.

When you cut it be sure to melt the edges slightly with a heat gun to stop the pellets from breaking off.

 

[DrRob]

Generally what I've seen is several sheets stuck together, often cut in layers and then built up in layers. Thickest I've seen is about 2 inches of plain polystyrene.

 

[daz4321]

most 4 foot tanks have a cross brace so you will not get it into the tank in one piece anyway.

 

[Cactusface]

Hi All,
A good way to cut polystyrene is with a piece of fine wire and a battery, connect the wire across the battery terminals, current flows, the wire gets hot, and melts/cuts tho' the poly!! to give you a nice finish, an old tip from my model making days. The battery only needs to be say 4x AA's the wire perhaps a single strand from some multi-stranded cable or bit of an old fire/HEATER element, etc.

Hope it helps,
Regards
Mel.

 

[tribalbrit]

builders merchants sell polystyrene sheets 8' x 4' 25mm, 50mm, 75mm, 100mm thickness is normally stocked.

But the denser pink or blue insulation is better. IMO. also available at buiders merchants.

 

[Aquascaper]

I think the idea was the OP didn't want to have a 6' x 4' offcut lying around afterwards

Been there, done that....still got the polystyrene sheet in the shed

 

[tribalbrit]

I think the idea was the OP didn't want to have a 6' x 4' offcut lying around afterwards

Been there, done that....still got the polystyrene sheet in the shed

May be but still cheaper than b and q.

 

[Aquascaper]

I beg to differ, my local builders merchants are actually £1.50 more expensive per sheet but I don't think price was even an issue with this thread, more the size.

 

[ColR1948]

I made a 3D background using this method, I got the Polystyrene from B&Q but I saw some in black, it was in a pck so had to buy it that way but it's there for if I decide to do another tank with it.

I cut it to size by using a wallpaper scaper heated up on the stove, went through it like a hot knife in butter.

Then using the hot scaper I made marks and dents in it to make it look like rock, the effect was very good.

I've had a few nice comments on it from people who have seen it so it must be OK.

I used aquarium sealent to stick to the back of the tank by the way, and I also cut out a space for the heater and pump so they could still stick to the tank wall.