This artificial rockscape attempts to recreate a setting of layered sedimentary
rock where uneven and broken surfaces provide unintentional opportunity for
plants to take root and schools of fish to thrive.
This DIY aquarium background is also designed for ample hiding places and
convenient placement of live plants throughout.
DIY Aquarium Background
Rock Ledges
Generous amounts of GE brand Silicone #1
were appiled to all surfaces where styrofoam or
cement met glass. Even with three coats of
cement, these pieces would easily float if not
secured in place by the silicone.
To reduce the potential for waste accumulating
between the background and the glass, an old
turkey baster was filled with cement mix and
used to fill in the gaps between around the sides
and back of the background.
The bottom layer of the background creates a
type of shelf that's higher than the substrate in
front of the background. The idea was to help
discourage substrate from accumulating
behind the rock formations.
The area was then smoothed over for a more
fish friendly surface. The lower left corner is
shown.
The mix of Quikrete Quikwall cement and
Quikrete Acrylic Fortifier create a strong bond
to the glass which will help hold the background
in place once the aquarium is in operation.
Once the lower rock formation sections were
built and siliconed in place, the rest of the
background was built up from there by applying
single pieces siliconed directly to the glass.
With all the cement and and liquid acrylic work
completed, the cement was allowed a few days
to finish curing before beginning the tap water
rinsing process.
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