HELP! DIY Background Problem

[AndrewMack]

or try krlyon fusion, non toxic once cured and in my expierence, sticks to anything

 

[andyjones99]

well, in my days as a games workshop employee i found that the trick is to coat the foam with an acryllic varnish which, being porous, will give an adhesive friendly surface (which we used to paint onto) that your quickrete will stick to.

Also, acryllic varnish is non toxic (its essentially a plastic, suspended in an aqueous solution until it drys) so it won't pose any threat to your fishes well being.

 

[borderraider]

quickcrete... bit of a language barrier her but is that the same stuff as concrete?
(i is british you see or possibly daft)

 

[joey02]

A light sanding of the great stuff will also help with adhesion.
Use a thicker mixture of quikrite and let it cure befor you move the background, it will bead if the mixture is too thin. use less water. you can also thicken it with sand sand if you wanted to.

dont spray paint the foam, the spray paint will eat it.

 

[dleomd]

wow, very interesting. Didn't even know such "stuff" existed! Good luck, I'll be looking forward to watching this progress.

 

[JaxsBr]

looking good sofar bro.
good luck.

 

[Reddemon]

Alright guys, thanks for the replies. I sanded all the foam down and thickened up my cement mixture and it worked like magic. here's the first layer. not 100% coverage but it will be once i finish the last 2 layers

 

[dleomd]

Wow that really does look great. You should post step-by-step instructions once you get your final product. Have some questions: It looks like a potential nightmare if algae sets in....difficult to clean. Also, I wonder how the added weight will affect the pressure on those rear seams? Thanks

 

[Reddemon]

Wow that really does look great. You should post step-by-step instructions once you get your final product. Have some questions: It looks like a potential nightmare if algae sets in....difficult to clean. Also, I wonder how the added weight will affect the pressure on those rear seams? Thanks

Thanks. Really some algae growth would be desired. Overall I'd want it as natural as possible, but if it got out of hand it'd just be a matter a taking a brush to it. I'm not really sure about the seams. others have done it without problems though so I don't think it'll be a problem

 

[dleomd]

It really looks amazing. Have u finished the remaining coats? Would look awesome with patches of java moss growing on it. Where did u get the great stuff? You've inspired me; I'm diggin it