DIY tree stump help

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
pacu mom said:
Polygem--is an industry secret. After sculpting with it, you can paint with acrylic paints and then apply a coat of fish safe clear epoxy paint (which Polygem also sells). Some of the biggest players in the industry use Polygem in creating their fantastic backgrounds and decorations.

http://www.polygem.com/products/zoopoxy/sculpting

Check out their gallery--you'll a big TV name there...


btw, Jrt uses Polygem...
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Would that be a company that has a show that isn't very well received here?
 
Interesting stuff. Expensive. I have been considering making some kind of custom log or stump that would fit around the center overflow tower in my new tank. Why would I use this over ceramic?
 
djoneser said:
Interesting stuff. Expensive. I have been considering making some kind of custom log or stump that would fit around the center overflow tower in my new tank. Why would I use this over ceramic?
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Well you have to figure what is the most cost effective for you. How big is your project? Styrofoam sealed and painted with Dryloc is still the cheapest material method. But is strength in your project needed epoxy putty is much stronger. There are other brands of epoxy putty. Magic Sculpt is another brand http://www.bhigr.com/store/product.php?productid=351like . The Smooth-On is the cheapest in the epoxy types in the 2-gal kits ($77.00). You can buy Smooth-On from one of Smooth-On distributors for a lot lower price then buying from Smooth-On. I am unfamiliar with Ceramic. Can you tell us more about this material?
 
As others have said, Polygem is awesome but expensive.

I personally like the styrofoam drylok method and use it most often. It's definitely difficult to create realistic bark-like texture like you can with sculpting epoxy but I still think you can get pretty nice results if you use some creativity:

P1040497.JPG


See my paludarium journal in my sig for more details on the method
 
pacu mom said:
The trees and stumps in Jrt's build thread are works of art.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/f...nd-projects!&p=6598680&viewfull=1#post6598680
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His projects are inspiring. I'd like to use that epoxy putty its just in my project its going to be very big lots of $$$ if I go that route. My build dimensions are similar to Bobs. 11x7x6 I'm thinking I may still do the styrofoam and Drylok. I did small project just to try it out. Its just so much cheaper and if your creative you can make it look really realistic.
 
Polygem is on the spendy side. It's the durability aspect that appeals to me. I've read of some DIY 3D background failures using other materials.
 
By ceramic I meant like the ceramic flower pots that wind up in so many fish tanks. You kiln fire it to cure it and then color/glaze as you want.
 
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