DIY: Styrofoam backround

47510 Views 104 Replies 47 Participants Last post by Maddogdickson04, Nov 21, 2016

BigChuckP

Discussion Starter · Nov 12, 2005

Today I had enough of my mirrored background on my 40 gallon and I decided to do a lil diy project to fix it. I'm going to cover the back and perhaps that sides with sheets of styrofoam and then add some layers and texture to the sheets. Then cover the styrofoam in concrete and acrylic paints. I hope to get results at least half-way close as good as Killarbee's diy'd background.
So far I have not made much progress because I ran out of silicone. Turns out one tube isn't going to be enough. I have only got the back covered with styrofoam so far, tomorrow night when I get back from the CSU game and am sober I will get some more silicone and continue with my project.
Here are some pics of my progress so far.
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DiPpY eGgS

· #2 · Nov 12, 2005

keep posting, this will be educational!

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BigChuckP

Discussion Starter · #3 · Nov 12, 2005 (Edited by Moderator)

I should say before I started siliconing the styrofoam in I cleaned the inside with rubbing alcohol a couple times to make sure the tank was clean.
When the tank was dry I siliconed the sheets in. I put lots of silicone on the back of the sheets and siliconed the sides of the strips, this will hopefully keep water from getting behind the styrofoam.
I left a strip on one side where my powerhead and heater will go. I didn't want to try and hide my equip behind the bg, with an emp4 it would be hard.
After putting the sheets in I added layers and terrain to the sheets.

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I had to keep an area clear so my emp4 would fit.
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Here's the lil guy that will be in this tank when it is all done
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**Do this in a well ventilated area, I think I am a lil high on these fumes...

DiPpY eGgS said:
keep posting, this will be educational!

Will do!

Next I will be adding the first coat of cement.

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Fresh2salt

· #4 · Nov 12, 2005

keep us posted on your project. cant wait to see it when your all done.

BASSFISHERMAN

· #5 · Nov 12, 2005

is the center brace broken on that tank?

BigChuckP

Discussion Starter · #6 · Nov 13, 2005 (Edited by Moderator)

Did some more work on the background today with "great stuff" My levels were rather extreme and I wanted to smooth them out some so I used some "great stuff", which is the yellow foamy stuff you seen in this picture.
Next step is sanding the great stuff once it dries to make the concrete stick better, then laying the first layer of concrete.
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bassfisherman said:
is the center brace broken on that tank?

yeah

DiPpY eGgS

· #7 · Nov 13, 2005

very interesting chuck.. at this point i am having quite a time imagining what this is going to look like when you are through.. lol again.. interesting!

BigChuckP

Discussion Starter · #8 · Nov 13, 2005

Any suggestions are welcomed, this is my first time doing this

EZmoney

· #9 · Nov 13, 2005

it is looking good so far. i can't offer any advice, but i hope to learn more thru this thread... keep posting your progress. GL!

PiranhasaurusRex

· #10 · Nov 14, 2005

BigChuckP said:
Any suggestions are welcomed, this is my first time doing this

Paint/concrete/whatever it before you silicone it in the tank.

BigChuckP

Discussion Starter · #11 · Nov 14, 2005

PiranhasaurusRex said:
Any suggestions are welcomed, this is my first time doing this

Paint/concrete/whatever it before you silicone it in the tank.
[/quote]
? Care to elaborate?

PiranhasaurusRex

· #12 · Nov 14, 2005

BigChuckP said:
Any suggestions are welcomed, this is my first time doing this

Paint/concrete/whatever it before you silicone it in the tank.
[/quote]
? Care to elaborate?
[/quote]

Make your styrofoam wall with whatever pieces you want. Paint/Concrete it on the side that will be seen. On the back, it doesn't need concrete. After the concrete is dry, put silicone on the back and then stick it in place. This way you keep concrete from drying on the sides and back of your tank.

BigChuckP

Discussion Starter · #13 · Nov 14, 2005

PiranhasaurusRex said:
Any suggestions are welcomed, this is my first time doing this

Paint/concrete/whatever it before you silicone it in the tank.
[/quote]
? Care to elaborate?
[/quote]

Make your styrofoam wall with whatever pieces you want. Paint/Concrete it on the side that will be seen. On the back, it doesn't need concrete. After the concrete is dry, put silicone on the back and then stick it in place. This way you keep concrete from drying on the sides and back of your tank.
[/quote]
Thought about doing that but if it dosen't fit when I am all done that would suck, I wouldn't want to saw it to get the dims right. This way is better, I added some concrete last night, I taped up the glass but not the bottom because I don't care if it is on the bottom, my sand will cover it up. Will post an update tonight after the second concretin'

PiranhasaurusRex

· #14 · Nov 14, 2005

Cool. I'll be checking back. I think I am going to to this soon. There is a real good one @ www.cichlid-forum.com as well

BigChuckP

Discussion Starter · #15 · Nov 15, 2005

PiranhasaurusRex said:
Cool. I'll be checking back. I think I am going to to this soon. There is a real good one @ www.cichlid-forum.com as well

Yeah that guys is awesome, I think it is done on a 150 which would be a hella lot a work. Mine is just a 40 and I just spent 4 hours on the concrete! So I applied the concrete today, it's looking good! I am going to touch it up tomorrow and add some paint to it. I have acrylic paint right now but I think I am going to take it back and get concrete pigment, not so sure about the acrylic paint, anyone knows if it is safe? Says, "water resistant".
The styrofoam and "great stuff" was just a foundation for my shapes, the concrete is what really gave my background its shape.
Let me know what yall think, look good, bad, horrible, stellar, etc.? Suggestions?

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CraigStables

· #16 · Nov 15, 2005

thats looking excellent!

And I would go for the concrete pigment, as I think overtime the acylic could be harmful to your fish.

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BigChuckP

Discussion Starter · #17 · Nov 15, 2005

CraigStables said:
thats looking excellent!

And I would go for the concrete pigment, as I think overtime the acylic could be harmful to your fish.

Yeah your right, I just got back from Home Depot with some pigment, it's cheaper than acrylic paint too!

bmpower007

· #18 · Nov 15, 2005

Nice coming along great, take some pics when water is in it.

piranha threat

· #19 · Nov 15, 2005

Looks sweet! I think you should have only done the back. Still looks great though!

divine

· #20 · Nov 15, 2005

Your project looks great.

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