Styrofoam/Cement Background
- Thread starter ejmeier
- Start date
The second rock pair that I made with styrofoam, forming a cave. The clown loaches love this thing!
Ooooh, looks very rock-ish 
Will the colour look more natural when it is finished and in the tank or is that what you are aiming for? I guess I'm not clear on this; are those rocks in the tank now?
BTW, good to hear about the 'all clear' with your Tiger. Just shock and stress. You terrorist
Will the colour look more natural when it is finished and in the tank or is that what you are aiming for? I guess I'm not clear on this; are those rocks in the tank now?BTW, good to hear about the 'all clear' with your Tiger. Just shock and stress. You terrorist
When I took the pictures of the rocks, they weren't in the water. Once they got wet, the got a bit darker. The webcam doesn't do (any) colors justice.
If you look at the full tank picture, you can sort of make out the tall rock on the left hand side. They were made using the same mix of cement as the background, so they match the rest of the tank.
And yes, I will go ahead and say that my Tiger Oscar is now 100% better. He is eating again so I think he trusts me.
(sob, sniff, sniff.... it's all about trust...)
If you look at the full tank picture, you can sort of make out the tall rock on the left hand side. They were made using the same mix of cement as the background, so they match the rest of the tank.
And yes, I will go ahead and say that my Tiger Oscar is now 100% better. He is eating again so I think he trusts me.
(sob, sniff, sniff.... it's all about trust...)
My DIY styrofoam background!
Thought you folks might like to check out the styrofoam cement background that I just finished for my 110 Cichlid tank. I have the whole thing documented on my site with all instructions and materials. I used Quikrete Qickwall instead of regular cement, worked great!, let me know what you think! Heres the link
http://www.catfishheaven.net/day1.html
Here is the finished background
Thought you folks might like to check out the styrofoam cement background that I just finished for my 110 Cichlid tank. I have the whole thing documented on my site with all instructions and materials. I used Quikrete Qickwall instead of regular cement, worked great!, let me know what you think! Heres the link
http://www.catfishheaven.net/day1.html
Here is the finished background
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Very nice. I love the details that you posted on your site. Thank you for documenting everything so well.
Donnie,
That background is great!
I love that you used so much depth on it, it really does look good. My tank is only 12" front to back, so I didn't have as much room to work with.
As for the techniques, very detailed and well documented- this is what I wish I would've done - if only I had a digital camera!
I found that sandpaper worked really well to sand down all of the rough spots so that they don't look so much like styrofoam before adding the coat of cement. I used a coarse 60-grit paper.
As for the torch, I used a MAPP-gas torch to melt the styro as well, but I didn't really like the outcome; I felt that I could do a much more precise and accurate job with a knife and sandpaper. It really is amazing how fast those torches can melt away that stryofoam! I think maybe next time I might try using the torch FIRST to quickly melt away large sections, then go back and touch it up with some knives/sandpaper.
That background is great!
I love that you used so much depth on it, it really does look good. My tank is only 12" front to back, so I didn't have as much room to work with.
As for the techniques, very detailed and well documented- this is what I wish I would've done - if only I had a digital camera!
I found that sandpaper worked really well to sand down all of the rough spots so that they don't look so much like styrofoam before adding the coat of cement. I used a coarse 60-grit paper.
As for the torch, I used a MAPP-gas torch to melt the styro as well, but I didn't really like the outcome; I felt that I could do a much more precise and accurate job with a knife and sandpaper. It really is amazing how fast those torches can melt away that stryofoam! I think maybe next time I might try using the torch FIRST to quickly melt away large sections, then go back and touch it up with some knives/sandpaper.
Your tank is about as shallow as mine is Ej.
Just a thought, dark adds the perception of depth so, darken the 'valleys' of your stryo form, and use a lighter colour/aggregate whatever on the 'peaks'. It will help give the illusion of depth.
Just a thought, dark adds the perception of depth so, darken the 'valleys' of your stryo form, and use a lighter colour/aggregate whatever on the 'peaks'. It will help give the illusion of depth.
That's a good idea, I'll keep that in mind for next time, or if I ever drain the tank. The shadows from the lights do make a fair amount of darkness though, so it still looks good enough to fool your eye.
