I'm picking up some things (render, colours, pond sealer, paint brushes, sponges etc) tomorrow, all going well *L*, to start DIY'ing a custom 2ft tank i now have free

At this stage i am planning to do a full background, which will come part way along the sides as well as the back. I will also be DIYíng some 'rocks' and some retaining walls if it goes as planned lol

Some will be rendered foam some will be siliconed/sanded.

Will update with pics once i get started......just doing out the 2ft first, gotta give it a vinegar treatment so its fully clean and fully dry.

So 5 hours later i have this

Full wall (rock in front)


Cave


Intake cover

Nice one very interesting
Will you go through it step by step if people want to replocate?

Also btw wouldn't the poly rock float? If not weighted down

Dave

yeah, looking good. i have seen a few of these things done and they often work well

just make sure you have the area behind it either fully sealed or well flushed out cos it can cause huge dead spots and issues when it fills up with waste and causes spikes in nasties

Dave - It will definately float if its not held down, it will be siliconed to the tank

Doug - I will be sealing it as best i can

1st coat of render on....6 hours work, fiddly lol and i'm fussy

Done the 2nd render coat - 5.5hours *L*



Hard to get true colour to show in pic, it is a dark brown, which may lighten as it dries.

Not sure wether i will do a full 3rd coat or just touch up area not covered properly, will see how it dries, then i can get onto the fine tuning

WOW just gotta love the DIY backgrounds. Can't wait to see finished product.

Background has now been fully coloured and 1st coat of sealer on

Lookin good. So whats next before its ready to be put in the aquarium?

Another coat of sealer, which is done

The background will be fitted into the tank today, once it is in, i need to render the join and it will get a 3rd full coat of sealer. It then has to sit for 7 days to let the sealer fully cure.

im pretty sure you have to let it flush with water a couple of times because it can cause huge ph ups

I'm pretty sure i shouldnt have to, as its been sealed and should not cause PH changes in anyway

DIY backgrounds that are made from carved Styrofoam and a layer(s) of concrete are sometimes seen on How-To forums and it's these that can cause the pH swings if not sealed/cured properly.

I'm pretty sure yours will be OK but I would imagine you would monitor it a bit before adding fish anyway.

The sealer once cured is inert & stops the lime leaching out of the background, so it will NOT cause any PH problems

I know what i have to do *L* I am afterall adding this here so others can follow it if the choose.

I am stuck in no go land at present until the background has had its 7 (4 days to go) days sealing time, once that is over i will add here ALL other steps i do