DIY Pass through background

[twisted fisher]

As many of you have read my other post i have decided to take the plunge and do this project and here is the first post with a few pictures


Please know that if you attempt this and either harm yourself or your fish i will in no way be responsible for anything that may or may not happen! This is something i am doing solely for myself and for an artistic outlet for myself that i can enjoy for years after it is done.

That being said here goes:


step #1) removing the black trim from the tanks so that they can be snugged up to each other tight and lose the gap between the two to appear as one tank without buying a 300 buck tank.

CAREFULLY cut the silicone under the black plastic lip. a great description of this can be found here :

http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/How_to_Remove_the_Rim_off_a_Standard_Rimmed_Tank.p df
http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz190/twisterfisher/backgrounds/Picture064.jpg



Step #2) cutting the base piece of foam. this is a sheet Styrofoam that is used to insulate the outside of houses and is cheap. i paid 12 bucks for a 4 foot by 8 foot sheet of 1 inch thick.
measure 3 time cut it only once!
http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz190/twisterfisher/backgrounds/Picture076.jpg


Step #3) Building up from the base level. This is done with GE I silicone for the glue apply liberally since its gonna be under water and it floats! i have chosen to make hidden caves built internally within my background since Mr. Head is hooking me up with some julies and they like the cave life i am making half of this background with them in mind.
You can see the basic layout in the picture of building internal boxes and then covering it with a top layer with a hole bored through it for the cave entrance.
http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz190/twisterfisher/backgrounds/Picture077.jpg

Step #4) Making a second row of caves under the first and out once level. You have to keep in mind that you are working in 3 dimensions at all times.
http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz190/twisterfisher/backgrounds/Picture080.jpg

Step #5) Building the "rock" layout for the rest of the background. Notice how the two pieces have the same level from one side to the other even tho they are two separate pieces. this is for down the road when the tanks are snugged to appear the pass through effect.
http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz190/twisterfisher/backgrounds/Picture083.jpg

Here is how each half looks prior to the shaping that will take place tomorrow
Left half
http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz190/twisterfisher/backgrounds/Picture086.jpg

and right half
http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz190/twisterfisher/backgrounds/Picture083.jpg

[twisted fisher]

Here comes installment number 2

Right hand side after shaping and the test fit
http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz190/twisterfisher/backgrounds/Picture090.jpg

Heres the left side after shaping and the test fit
http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz190/twisterfisher/backgrounds/Picture091.jpg

and finally the two together after the shaping and in the tanks during the test fit
http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz190/twisterfisher/backgrounds/Picture089-1.jpg

in the last picture you can also see a little rock stack i built for additional caves in the right side.

[twisted fisher]

Heres the final project with shells and sand in place but no water till Tuesday for the silicone to fully cure.

Right half
http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz190/twisterfisher/backgrounds/Picture104.jpg

Left half
http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz190/twisterfisher/backgrounds/Picture103.jpg

The whole enchilada
http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz190/twisterfisher/backgrounds/Picture106.jpg


I hope this has inspired someone to go out and explore what can be had outside of the LFS and outside of common thinking.

Costs incurred: These costs are for the background alone not for the cost of the total product package. I have divided the amount that is left by the total price i paid for the retail package of it.

Drylock 5.00
pigment 3.00
Styrofoam 6.00
disposable brushes 3.00
plastic cups 0.30
sand paper 3.00
snap knife 3.00
total cost estimate 23.00

Enjoyment factor PRICELESS

My next DIY will be a base and a hood with light and hidden filtration in it for this "pass through tank".

Julies on the right

Multies on the left

Me in front with mouth open wide :becky:


Enjoy yourself everyone and enjoy your fish


Twisted

[Flareside]

Love the background. Project came out sweet:beerchug:

One thing though:
Please know that if you attempt this and either harm yourself or your fish i will in no way be responsible for anything that may or may not happen! This is something i am doing solely for myself and for an artistic outlet for myself that i can enjoy for years after it is done.

Hope you truly get years of enjoyment, just know that the black plastic frame on top and the bottom isnt on the tanks for asthetic value- in fact it is what holds the tank together. You are braver than me. If it were to spring a leak while you are at work, you could loose all fish as well as incur some water damage

Having said that, I still think your project came out pretty damn cool:becky: