Recently, I tried my hand on a DIY background that I found on the web.

Step 1: I had several lose pieces of steroform board. So, I used silicon glue to stick it into a 4 inch thick slab!! Using a blade, I started carving the shape of rocks. It may seem difficult, but it is actually easy and fun!!

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Try to keep the "rocks" big. That way, it is easier to shape it to look more natural. All done!!!

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Cut it into smaller blocks, so that you can fit it into your tank. I had to cut mine into 3 parts for them to fit!!

Mix cement into a watery paste. I did not add in any sand ... just 100% cement.

Using a brush, paint each part and let dry.

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After drying for 2 days, I re-assemble them into the tank, with LOT of silicon glue to attach to the back of the tank.

Now, fill up the tank with water and change it daily. The cement has very high PH, and you need to change water till the PH is normal.

OK, that was about 2 weeks ago, and the PH is still sky high!!! Others who have worked with cement in tanks say that we need to wait for up to 1 or 2 months!!!!

For me, the wait will be worth it!!

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Things I would do differently ...

1. When you measure the foam initially, I suggest cutting it about 1/2 inch smaller all round. This is to give allowance to the cement layering later on. Also, you can easily fill the small gap with more cement later!!!

2. I think 4 inches is a little too thick. The stones seem to "stick out" too much. This is especially the case since I am using a small tank!!!

3. After you seperate into different blocks, don't put cement on the "joints". Otherwise, you will get big gaps when you assemble the parts together!!

4. When carving the rocks, carve larger stones at the bottom. If you are going to put sand at the bottom, you would have already covered about 2 inches of your "stone" wall.

5. The foam is VERY EASY to work with and carve. Might want to consider creating some caves or some way to hide your equiptments.

6. I stuck about 5 layers of thin foam together to get 4 inches of thickness. It was a mistake, as I had to use LOTS of glue. So cost wise, there was no savings. While carving out the shapes, if you did not glue the pieces carefully, the layers will seperate!!. So, start with the THICKEST foam you can find!!!

Good job, my friend!
Well, would there be any substitute for cement since it would raise the water pH? Have you considered colouring the foam?

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There is another world in the waters........

Littar Tan

Interesting!. Thanks for posting.

Thought of coloring ... but also thinking, what's the point. It will be covered by algea soon enough!!!

any paint that will not harm fish if we do just coloring without any cement?

Don't know much about paint either. But you could stick sand onto the background instead.

Here are some sites where I got my insiration from:


http://www.sydneycichlid.com/content/?page_id=86

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/article...background.php