Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Hmoobthor on September 13, 2011 at 1:55pm

there couple of site on the net ...just gotta search..

 

you can also buy them if you have the money or don't have the time to make it

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Permalink Reply by Jeremy Bingamon on September 13, 2011 at 11:02pm

ya I found a lot of vids on youtube and a few on other sites, but everyting was on rocks and not actually creating the texture needed for wood. I have no clue how to make foam look like wood but rocks will be easy. I did also find them for sale but for $40 or more I'll build it myself. pluss there is the added gratification of building it myself.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Todd on September 13, 2011 at 11:12pm

Best thing to do is find a nice peice of wood and work it in to the foam 

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Permalink Reply by PK on September 13, 2011 at 10:15pm

Wrong Section!

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Permalink Reply by Jeremy Bingamon on September 13, 2011 at 11:00pm

lol oops. I posted this on my phone. i forgot to change the section.

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Permalink Reply by 2apes2gp667wr on September 13, 2011 at 11:41pm

I agree with mike. If there are any local rivers or ponds I'd dig up a tree on the waters edge & attach the roots to the background. Or slightly higher end you could hire Weta workshop to make one for you.

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Permalink Reply by Matthew on September 14, 2011 at 11:01am

I did a foam back ground in my tank about 3 months ago just rocks no wood so I cant help you there but I will give you a warning make shure you use the right kind of mortar mix mine is slowly dissolving into the water causing water clarity and filter problems. I'm shure lots of people have done it successfully but after my experience I wouldn’t recommend it. I'll be tearing mine out soon. But if you do soak the rock wall for at least a week with out fish or plants.

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Permalink Reply by Keith the Aquatard on September 15, 2011 at 7:19pm

I made one.  I used qwikcrete brand cement.  No disolving problems.  I think I have some old videos on how I made it on my youtube channel

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Permalink Reply by Jeremy Bingamon on September 20, 2011 at 2:43pm

For anyone that has made these I just finish my concreting and was wondering if I have to seal it

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Permalink Reply by Keith the Aquatard on September 22, 2011 at 10:26pm

I never sealed mine.  I did 4 layers of cement over the styrofoam.  It hasnt leaked yet, and it has been about 6 months.  Just make sure the cement is solid, touch up and add more on spots that look thinner. 

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Permalink Reply by Jeremy Bingamon on September 22, 2011 at 11:49pm

Mines really thick. It did crack in a few places when I put it in the tank so I'm waiting on the cement to dry on my touch up areas. I just wanted to b sure it won't come apart in the water as it ages. How is the algae growth on it? Because of the area I live in i wasn't able to use te colors I actually wanted so I had to change things up and I'm planning on getting se good algae growth that will hopefully give it the coloring and realism I want? :-)

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Permalink Reply by Keith the Aquatard on September 23, 2011 at 9:12am

Algae will grow on it for sure, I have to scrub the extra algae off mine weekly.  It would also depend on your lighting and how long it is on etc, but algae will grow on it pretty quick and give it that natural look your wanting.  Good call on touching up the cracked areas.  Something I do is brush a layer of water over the cement during the drying process.  It hardens the cement up and makes it stronger.  The cement on the background should be drying, but still moist.  Then take an old brush and dip it in water and brush a light coat of water over the entire thing.  It "cures" the cement.

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