about dramaticaquascapes.com
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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