DIY 3D concrete + resin Background [lotsa pics]

Liquidplants

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jun 15, 2010
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Long Island
smpage;4477967; said:
where are your filter inlet/outlet and heater going to be?
I run a sump on that tank so I will be carving out behind the "tree" and my DIY PVC overflow will fit nicely behind it. The heater and air are already in he sump tank.

Thanks for the support.. I misplaced my camera the other day =[ so I'm missing some pictures of the next step I'm going to hold off so you get pics in order. =]
I applied the first coat of Sackrete with no color. it's looking OK.. the fiberglass in the mixture is sticking out around my curves but I'm sure a light sanding will remedy this.
 

smpage

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
May 21, 2007
1,813
3
36
Idaho Falls
Liquidplants;4479545; said:
I run a sump on that tank so I will be carving out behind the "tree" and my DIY PVC overflow will fit nicely behind it. The heater and air are already in he sump tank.

Thanks for the support.. I misplaced my camera the other day =[ so I'm missing some pictures of the next step I'm going to hold off so you get pics in order. =]
I applied the first coat of Sackrete with no color. it's looking OK.. the fiberglass in the mixture is sticking out around my curves but I'm sure a light sanding will remedy this.
Awesome! that's going to have a super clean look then. can't wait!
 

Liquidplants

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jun 15, 2010
312
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0
Long Island
YAY i found my camera!

I bought this Sakrete "surface bonding cement" specifically because it has fiberglass fibers in it. It will help stop cracks.





For the Base Coat i didn't mix in any color additives and I mixed a little amount.. maybe 5-8 softball size handfuls of cement. I DEFINITELY recommend disposable gloves and CHEAP brushes. The cement was fairly easy to apply and cleanup was not as bad as I thought. I found that using my hand to apply a large quantity of concrete and then the brush to smooth it worked best so far. I'm still skeptical about the rocks and how they are going to look. Time will tell. The more i look at the flat rock formation i created on the top left i want to change it.


Half Way

Close up of an intersection

Close up of the Rock / Root intersection [this is what I'm skeptical about]

Finished for now next time I'll mix a little more

another shot

The lone root

A macro of the rock / concrete intersection again this is what I'm skeptical about.


Well that's it for now.. till next time =]
 

Maduro

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Mar 31, 2008
517
87
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NY
I see what your concern is where the stone meets root. I think a nice solution would be to stuff some Java moss into those seams between the rocks. It will naturally start providing a nice transition as it grows up the stump and across the stone. Your convicts will probably ignore it as well.
 

Tien

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 1, 2010
198
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Las Vegas
I will be watching this thread as well. I want to do something similar but I also want a pleco and plecos will tear these backgrounds apart. I am still deciding what I want to do. I may use manzanita wood for my tank.
 

Liquidplants

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jun 15, 2010
312
0
0
Long Island
@ Maduro
I'm not to sure what i will be stocking this tank with. but definitely not convicts they are in my 75g... this will be planted.

@ Tien

Stay tuned because i plan in coating the whole thing with a fiberglass resin or marine epoxy which should create a smooth surface for a Pleco or other sucker mouth to suck on >.< while sealing in whatever is in the concrete from leaching.
 
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