Another 75g 3D background

[Steve]

Spent the past couple days building this. This is one I built as somewhat of a trial run to see what sort of design I want to do for my 75g Discus tank. Now that it is done I am somewhat thinking I may build another one and try to carve out a submerged tree stump into the background that sticks out 7-8" or so. Still using these colors though as I like the looks of it.

So may sell this one here, or may take it to the auction this weekend, or CL or something, dunno yet, may end up with a couple more trial runs after this as well knowing how my OCD is with my own work lol.

[jcunningham0295]

Looks great as always Steve.  Very tempting.  Would look awesome with my wild red rainbow Tropheus......

[Regalblue]

I vote for auction! 

[Steve]

I might do that. Probably decide tomorrow what I'll do with this one.

[jkeeler]

Steve I like the idea of tree trunk for the discus tank, I think it will look great.

You should practice one for a 90-gallon tank....I need another one.

[Steve]

90g test one eh LOL...I'm thinking a tree trunk would look cool if done right. Only concern is if I did it fully out of foam it may want to pull up too much due to so much buoyancy with that big of a chunk of foam. But I did have a pretty huge rock cave of foam on my 265g background I made and that stayed put, so might work.

[danotaylor]

Looks great as always Steve.  Very tempting.  Would look awesome with my wild red rainbow Tropheus......

Josh I had a styro background in a tropheus set up in Australia. Their grazing teeth & habits ripped bits of the foam out and it ended up looking messy...not to mention the threat of intestinal blockages if they swallow it...I suppose if the background had a nice thick epoxy coating it might be alright...my experience with troph's & foam wasn't a good one...

BTW great job on the background Steve...looks awesome mate!

[Steve]

When I first started making them I didn't seal them with anything, so  the first one I did had some spots where plecos would rasp off the foam. Then a couple years ago I started using Pond Armor pond sealer on them to seal the whole background. It's a two part epoxy coating and makes it where no fish can chew anything off of it so that's not a concern with the ones I do now.

Only downside to using the pond armor is the price. Cheapest you can find it is $89 for a 1 1/2qt kit

[danotaylor]

When I first started making them I didn't seal them with anything, so  the first one I did had some spots where plecos would rasp off the foam. Then a couple years ago I started using Pond Armor pond sealer on them to seal the whole background. It's a two part epoxy coating and makes it where no fish can chew anything off of it so that's not a concern with the ones I do now.

Only downside to using the pond armor is the price. Cheapest you can find it is $89 for a 1 1/2qt kit

Sweet Steve...sounds like you adapted & overcame...thanks for the heads up on the right product here in the US...I would like to make a DIY 3D for my troph's tank...do you paint directly onto the foam then coat with epoxy, or epoxy 1st then paint then coat with expoxy again?

[Steve]

Here's a step by step I did which will help when you try it http://michigancichlid.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?topic=5946.0 you want to paint over a coat of drylok, if you paint directly on the foam with the first coat of spray paint it will eat and melt the foam......found that out the hard way the first time as well lol.

So basically in this order-

1-carve
2-texture with heat gun
3-drylok coat (takes two coats usually)
4- spray whole thing black
5- spray with primary color
6-dry brush with shading & highlights
7-seal with pond armor

[Steve]

Decided to add this the the auction so some of it will benefit the club. Also I know the club takes 20% of the selling price, but I plan to donate 50% of whatever this sells for so come and bid and support MCA.

[jcunningham0295]

Decided to add this the the auction so some of it will benefit the club. Also I know the club takes 20% of the selling price, but I plan to donate 50% of whatever this sells for so come and bid and support MCA.

That is very nice of you Steve.  The club really appreciates all you do.

[Steve]

Least I can do. Just to let people here know, back when my 265 leaked, MCA came through without me asking for anything and you guys all chipped in cash and gave me the money to try to get that tank resealed. So least I can do is help out here & there when I can. Great close nit group here. I'm simply happy to be a part of and help out in ways I can.

[Regalblue]

Love ya,  Steve!  (No homo  )

[Steve]

Love ya,  Steve!  (No homo  )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oj3VphK9AMk