What is needed for DIY styrofoam 3D BG

I am doing a few things different and on my own for my next 20G long tank; trying to bring out the little creativity that I may have. I have recently been inspired (also from EUFolk's previous thread) to try making my own "stone" background. Today, I purchased a big sheet (2x8') of 3/4" thick pink insulation at Home Depot. Now I have cutting tools, but was wondering about sealing, painting, and weighing it down.

First off, I see Drylock being used all the time. Is there a sealant that most people use or recommend? Also, is there anything I can't use? Same goes for paint. Everyone always says Krylon Fusion (which is somehow impossible to find locally!). Thirdly, what are the best ways to weigh this thing down? When I read about people using "concrete", are they using real concrete or something else? And lastly, for sticking pieces together and making it "3D", can you use anything from super glue, hot glue, epoxy, and silicone?

 

concrete tends to release toxic waste into the tank. I do not suggest concrete. some people do use silicone to simply seal it and glue it down.

ive only used kyrolon so far. taken from home depot or similar places.

 

Don't use super glue on polystyrene. It will melt it. Normal aquarium silicone is fine.

Pond paint is cheap and 100% fish safe. The problem is that it comes in fantastic colours like black or tan.

 

I use drylok on all my backgrounds and color it with quickcrete concrete dyes. They have black brown red and terracotta. The drylok won't mess with the pH the way concrete does.
Drylok Is a waterproof sealer but make sure it is the regular drylok not extreme. The extreme has antI mold additives

 

good to know. Can I use ANY Krylon Fusion paint?

 

I am doing a few things different and on my own for my next 20G long tank; trying to bring out the little creativity that I may have. I have recently been inspired (also from EUFolk's previous thread) to try making my own "stone" background. Today, I purchased a big sheet (2x8') of 3/4" thick pink insulation at Home Depot. Now I have cutting tools, but was wondering about sealing, painting, and weighing it down.

First off, I see Drylock being used all the time. Is there a sealant that most people use or recommend? Also, is there anything I can't use? Same goes for paint. Everyone always says Krylon Fusion (which is somehow impossible to find locally!). Thirdly, what are the best ways to weigh this thing down? When I read about people using "concrete", are they using real concrete or something else? And lastly, for sticking pieces together and making it "3D", can you use anything from super glue, hot glue, epoxy, and silicone?

I found Krylon Fusion in Walmart just this past week☺

 

I am so happy that I am an inspiration to someone

 

How is your background coming a long☺

 

And lastly, for sticking pieces together and making it "3D", can you use anything from super glue, hot glue, epoxy, and silicone?

Take a look at the glue that I was using. You can get small bottle for about 3$, it is water proof, and was design for the Styrofoam.
In addition, Drylok covers and binds to this glue also. If you use silicon you can have problems with painting.

The Drylok is sufficient for sealing just be sure that you put at least 3 coats and let it dry for at least 2 days between coatings. Concrete can be a major pain in the neck' and in some cases it will ruin your project by leaching base into water beyond control increasing your pH>12

BTW I'm done with my bg I will be posting more info and pictures this weekend.

 

I have not been home so I still just have the cut out pieces of insulation upstairs with some silicone and some cutting tools. So we have a way to go. When it is finished pics will be posted.

 

Hey, just saw this. The spray paint will probably melt the Styrofoam. I don't know if it will melt it with the sealant on it... Better do a test piece first if you decide to spray.

 

Finally started this, however, ran into a very silly, but vital, problem. What are the best cutting tools for the insulation??? I tried using a box cutter both via horizontal lines and peeling pieces off and also cutting deeper pieces from above and am getting a really sloppy highly uneven look that resembles nothing of a rock. I'm really just looking for some advice on this aspect. What to use and how really.

 

Finally started this, however, ran into a very silly, but vital, problem. What are the best cutting tools for the insulation??? I tried using a box cutter both via horizontal lines and peeling pieces off and also cutting deeper pieces from above and am getting a really sloppy highly uneven look that resembles nothing of a rock. I'm really just looking for some advice on this aspect. What to use and how really.

I used a box cutter but I have a simpler design than some others. When you start to seal with drylok your gb will start to see that it helps it look more natural looking. Some others may have better ideas.

 

It seems most people use a hacksaw hand tool and surform shaving tool. Time to go to Home Depot. Any suggestions on techniques though?

 

I made a stacked stone wall so it was just aatter of drawing then cutting out a v shaped trough along the lines. I didnt use the shaving tool so I can't really speak for that. I kinda just used what I had on hand.

And I did use a jigsaw for the thicker areas because my box blade wasn't long enough.

 

I used a box cutter and an old electric fish filet knife. The knife left some pretty cool lines in the carvings, hoping it shows up well through the Drylok .

 

for some reason I can't find one of those surform shavers ANYWHERE. Found them online at Home Depot, Walmart, & even Staples, but none have them in their stores. What would be the next best thing, or where else would I find one, Michaels maybe? I don't want a crazy file that'll take All the foam off.

I love the area I live in, they carry everything except the stuff you're looking for. I even tried another Home Depot and then Michaels, but got nothing. I feel the same thing happens when I go into PetSmart/Co for supplies. Soooo, I just ordered one from Amazon for under $5 with no shipping. Only issue is I have to wait now...

 

Hey, just saw this. The spray paint will probably melt the Styrofoam. I don't know if it will melt it with the sealant on it... Better do a test piece first if you decide to spray.

I usually just paint styrofoam to make the fish feel a little less exposed, and then glue it to the outside three panes for insulation.
This morning, however, I used a paint that was apparently derived from the creature in Alien, as it ate through the styrofoam in record time ( that details are always in the small print, such as this paint being a Biohazard 4 risk.
At any rate, the result was a really neat looking background, which once again illustrates that my DIY skills are confined to DIY , But Not on Purpose skills.
Anyway, I like it--rick