I want to create this AMAZING DIY Background for my 75 Gallon? Some advice please!
- Thread starter dani_starr
- Start date
It 'should" have a search forums button somewhere near the top of the category (I think). HX67 also has a link to his blog, which features all of his paludarium builds, somewhere in his sig on some posts. He also has a paludarium build (different from the mudskipper tank) on the monster fish site.
BTW, the "branches" and "roots" in his backgrounds are not wood--they're also sculpted foam/GS over PVC pipe and wire that's been grouted and colored. Pretty incredible!
BTW, the "branches" and "roots" in his backgrounds are not wood--they're also sculpted foam/GS over PVC pipe and wire that's been grouted and colored. Pretty incredible!
Also, the little tubes of aquarium sealant get expensive pretty quickly on these things. Figure on using 2-3 full size (fit in the caulk gun size) tubes just to secure your background to the tank (I use a full tube to secure a 20H background, just to give you an idea)--foam backgrounds are pretty buoyant! GE I silicone is about $5 a tube at my local hardware store (less if I buy it on sale, and the looks I get when they ask how many windows I'm sealing when I buy a case and I tell them it's for aquarium decorations are priceless).
I will try to get pix figured out this weekend if the weather is wet and I can't work outside. I've got the tank that's been up and running for 2 months (the plants are still sparse, need to up the light), one that's in the final stages of curing (easier to see construction details), and one that I plan to start (esp if the weather stays really wet and I can't work on the fences), so I'll try to get you some step by step stuff to get you started.
I will try to get pix figured out this weekend if the weather is wet and I can't work outside. I've got the tank that's been up and running for 2 months (the plants are still sparse, need to up the light), one that's in the final stages of curing (easier to see construction details), and one that I plan to start (esp if the weather stays really wet and I can't work on the fences), so I'll try to get you some step by step stuff to get you started.
Nope, looks like you have to be a member, same with viewing his blog. I'll look on the MFK site though for it. I saw that, that is amazing what he made out of foam/gs/pipe/wire!!! Holy COW! :jaw-dropping: Those little skippers have to be in heaven!
I figured the little tubes would cost a lot, I'll be getting the larger ones (and a caulk gun too perhaps?). Haha, that's awesome! Every time I go to safeway to get bell peppers, cilantro, red and green leaf lettuce for my guinea pigs, the lady always asks what I am making, and when I tell her "guinea pig food" the look is priceless. Same with when I got some coroplast from a sign shop for my piggy cage.
Okay, sounds good.
So plastivel, any idea on where to find this? It seems that is what keeps the sand on there, and not falling it off. It is also used to make wood that has potential of rotting "aquarium safe." http://thegab.org/index.php?option=...sid=1b25b9a5f6eca5283a6950ed4c3e395d&start=15
I'm thinking of going back to my original plan, of just doing everything that he did, except for perhaps not using plexi glass as a background, maybe just use a foam sheet or something?
I'm thinking of going back to my original plan, of just doing everything that he did, except for perhaps not using plexi glass as a background, maybe just use a foam sheet or something?
OK, HX67 also has a streambank paludarium on aquatic plant central, and it's pretty pix heavy and step by step.
There's also a corkbark background a couple pages further in on this section of the forum. Don't know if it's a look you're going for, but it's another option....
I'll probably do my next build (the 29) as concrete over foam, so I hope to have better information for you soon!
There's also a corkbark background a couple pages further in on this section of the forum. Don't know if it's a look you're going for, but it's another option....
I'll probably do my next build (the 29) as concrete over foam, so I hope to have better information for you soon!
Thanks for all the advice catherinecarney! I am just considering scrapping the entire build now, because there seems to be a lot of things that could potentially leak chemicals over time and kill fish (or will just fall apart) that he used or that I was thinking of using. I don't know, I'm so frustrated and bummed now.
If I wanted to mimic rocks, then I'd be set. But of course, I want to replicate a mud/sand bank (I am in love with how the italian guys looks), which seems to be pretty uncommon, everyone else wants to have the look of rocks. Is there anyway with concrete over foam to achieve a realistic sand look?
If I wanted to mimic rocks, then I'd be set. But of course, I want to replicate a mud/sand bank (I am in love with how the italian guys looks), which seems to be pretty uncommon, everyone else wants to have the look of rocks. Is there anyway with concrete over foam to achieve a realistic sand look?
I'll bet there's a way to creat the look you want--don't give up on your vision! GS gives a ropy, "lava flow" look before smoothing/carving, so I wonder if you could tool it while wet to get the look you want? Also, I've read build logs where people covered their foam with marine epoxy--usually the stuff is shiny, but it goes on with a brush, and I wonder if you could sprinkle or mix in sand to get the look you want?
BTW, the streambank I have around here has overhangs held up by roots--is this a style that might interest you? It would minimize the background's impact on the footprint of the tank, minimize buoyancy (most of the foam, etc at the top of the tank), and allow space for emersed plantings if desired. Would it be worthwhile to do some small experiments with various techniques to see what gives you the look you want?
BTW, the streambank I have around here has overhangs held up by roots--is this a style that might interest you? It would minimize the background's impact on the footprint of the tank, minimize buoyancy (most of the foam, etc at the top of the tank), and allow space for emersed plantings if desired. Would it be worthwhile to do some small experiments with various techniques to see what gives you the look you want?
You know, you are probably right, thanks!
I've seen for the marine people how they cover the GS with epoxy, then sprinkle with the reef sand or crushed coral or what not. That's why I figured I'd be able to just cover random pieces of Styrofoam with the great stuff, cover that with small pieces of driftwood and sand, then cover that with more GS and more sand and driftwood, and repeat as I get the layers I want. Then stick a lot of the driftwood branches and glue it in with the great stuff, then cover that with more sand and driftwood branches. And then finally, cover the whole thing with some sort of spray sealant (or maybe the marine epoxy mixed with sand..?
I'm curious to see how that looks, would you mind taking a picture, or finding a similar image on google of it if possible? I think I know what your talking about, but then again I'm not sure.
That is a wonderful idea though, making smaller versions to see if I can make it how I want to make. Then if I mess up, no biggey. I never would of even thought about doing that, even though it's the most obvious thing to do! Lol.
I'm sure mini scale, the supplies wouldn't cost a lot either, so that would be good as well And I can ask on here if what I did could result in any issues/or is unsafe too! (Maybe I'll try making a background for my 2.5 gallon tank? Nothings in there at all right now, though I might make it heavily planted and have moss balls and just put some MTS or ramshorn snails in there, or possibly a couple shrimpies? I don't know what the minimum size would be for say cherry shrimp or those blue shrimp or something
Thanks so much again, I was feeling quite discouraged earlier, now I am happy and enthusiastic again. Now just have to wait for that darn pay check this Friday...
I've seen for the marine people how they cover the GS with epoxy, then sprinkle with the reef sand or crushed coral or what not. That's why I figured I'd be able to just cover random pieces of Styrofoam with the great stuff, cover that with small pieces of driftwood and sand, then cover that with more GS and more sand and driftwood, and repeat as I get the layers I want. Then stick a lot of the driftwood branches and glue it in with the great stuff, then cover that with more sand and driftwood branches. And then finally, cover the whole thing with some sort of spray sealant (or maybe the marine epoxy mixed with sand..?
I'm curious to see how that looks, would you mind taking a picture, or finding a similar image on google of it if possible? I think I know what your talking about, but then again I'm not sure.
That is a wonderful idea though, making smaller versions to see if I can make it how I want to make. Then if I mess up, no biggey. I never would of even thought about doing that, even though it's the most obvious thing to do! Lol.
I'm sure mini scale, the supplies wouldn't cost a lot either, so that would be good as well
And I can ask on here if what I did could result in any issues/or is unsafe too! (Maybe I'll try making a background for my 2.5 gallon tank? Nothings in there at all right now, though I might make it heavily planted and have moss balls and just put some MTS or ramshorn snails in there, or possibly a couple shrimpies? I don't know what the minimum size would be for say cherry shrimp or those blue shrimp or something Thanks so much again, I was feeling quite discouraged earlier, now I am happy and enthusiastic again. Now just have to wait for that darn pay check this Friday...
