Big Tex
Aquarium Advice Addict
Well guys I've been contemplating doing a home made background or maybe some holey rock, how would I go about it and what's the life expectancy..? Thanks in advance guys.
DIY Aquascaping..?
- Thread starter Big Tex
- Start date
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Cecil2010
Aquarium Advice Freak
I'm confused by the wording what do you mean by homemade background? Do you want to add holy rock to your tank? Or make a background out of that? And life expectancy of what?
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Big Tex
Aquarium Advice Addict
I want to either make a permanent background, or make myself some holey rock, and life expectancy of the material i.e. concrete, silicone, foam, etc I've heard alot about concrete flaking after a month or 2
Cecil2010
Aquarium Advice Freak
Oh ok you want to make a background and holy rock DIY. I get it now. Never personally done it so I'm not really sure. I think there is a DIY forum somewhere on this site that you might find some answers
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Big Tex
Aquarium Advice Addict
There is, an I've browsed, but nothing with exact measurements or mixtures or what concrete and water ratios etc, just thin coats and thick coats one thin and thicker concrete mixtures.
Cecil2010
Aquarium Advice Freak
Ahh that sucks. Maybe someone else that knows will chime in
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Big Tex
Aquarium Advice Addict
I know hopefully, it's been frustrating as hell ill be upgrading tanks soon and I wanna get this done before because supposedly the universal set time is 24hrs for the concrete on styrofoam.
Mogurako
Aquarium Advice Addict
I've done it, huge waste of time and money IMO. I have a thread in DIY under 90 gallon build/rebuild if you want to get an idea of the process. Just paint the background black and get some holey rock.
Nathanpopp
Aquarium Advice Freak
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2012
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Ya DIY back grounds can come out sweet. But, you want to make a whole DIY decoration tank. If you get it done, post the pictures. I'd love to see it.
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Big Tex
Aquarium Advice Addict
I have sand substrate already and I already painted the tank background but I can't afford holey rock
erikmoseley
Aquarium Advice Addict
I have sand substrate already and I already painted the tank background but I can't afford holey rock
Look into river rock from landscape store. Looks good and fish won't cut themselves and u can get good colorful ones
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Big Tex
Aquarium Advice Addict
Sweet, I want whiter rock so my fish will part
Mogurako
Aquarium Advice Addict
Go to your local landscaping company and get some basalt, sandstone, limestone or some nice big river rocks. Normally you can get 100 lbs for less than $20 bucks. I got some "blueberry" basalt when I had Africans and it looked killer in the tank and I only spent $14 bucks on it.
Mogurako
Aquarium Advice Addict
White rock will actually wash the fish out, darker rock tends to make them pop more.
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Big Tex
Aquarium Advice Addict
Sorry, still a noob lol so darker rock and sugar white sand..?
Mogurako
Aquarium Advice Addict
I like brown/tan sand and an assortment of darker colored river rocks, but that's just me. I get good solid colors that way with out the fish being washed out even with a brighter lighting.
Nathanpopp
Aquarium Advice Freak
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Big Tex
Aquarium Advice Addict
I'm totally gonna hit a landscaping store an shop guys, thanks again for all the great advise!
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nickhendrix007
Aquarium Advice Activist
Try dendroboard.com. They have all kinds of waterproof background DIY. Also vivariumforum.com and monsterfishkeepers.com are great sites for DIY
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Big Tex
Aquarium Advice Addict
Ill e sure to check that out thanks!
