Diy 3d Background Aquarium Guide

This diy 3d background aquarium step by step guide is for those who can't afford an expensive pre-made background, rather need instructions on how to build one themselves for less than a hundred dollars.

Random Aquarium Facts and Trivia:

• Calcium Hydroxide: A substance mixed with water and dripped into the aquarium to maintain calcium "Ca(OH)2", pH, and alkalinity levels. See kalkwasser.
• Calcification: A process by which corals and coralline algae extract calcium from the seawater and deposit it in the form of calcium carbonate.

What You Will Need

A diy 3d background aquarium project will include thick styrofoam sheets available from any home improvement outlet for under ten dollars. Free styrofoam for a diy 3d background may be obtained from merchant shipping bays.

Random Aquarium Facts and Trivia:

• Cnidaria: A phylum of invertebrate animals comprising the sea anemones , corals , jellyfish , and hydroids.
• Siphon - The inhalent and exhalent siphons of tridacnid clams are used to allow for gas exchange and to expel wastes.

Those vested in a diy 3d background aquarium project will also need a cutting tool, 100% silicone sealant, simply concrete mix (i.e., Quikrete), paint brushes, wire brush, hair dryer, 100% latex paint, epoxy resin (details below) and safety gear.

Before you begin your diy 3d background aquarium project, have a general idea of what you want it to look like. Check our aquarium photo gallery for ideas, or view some actually paper-variety aquarium backgrounds at our store (links open in new window).

Random Aquarium Facts and Trivia:

• Detrivores: Animals that eat detritus. Common detritvores are urchins, stars, hermits, etc.
• Protein skimmer: A unique mechanical filter which uses the surface tension of air bubbles in a tall column of water to attract dissolved organics; these organics - called "skimmate" - are then deposited in a collection cup which must be emptied every couple of days. The taller the skimmer's column, the more effective, and they only work well in salt water. They're powered by an air or water pump.

Tip: A stunning diy 3d background employs shadows, colors, ridges and rock shelves for effect. Remember to add contours, hollows, chambers, caves and holes both for aesthetics and fish enjoyment.

Let's Build!

This phase of the diy 3d background project includes carving your styrofoam as you see fit.

Random Aquarium Facts and Trivia:

• hydrometer - A Hydrometer is an instrument used to determine the specific gravity of a fluid. Hobbyist grade hydrometers are temperature corrected to read the specific gravity at around 77F (25C) because specific gravity is temperature dependent.
• iodine: A trace element necessary to life in very small quantities, but deadly at higher concentrations. Because it is removed by protein skimming, it must be added regularly on skimmed tanks. It is especially needed by crustaceans to successfully molt and soft corals for growth.

As you manipulate the styrofoam, bear in mind that your puzzle-like blocks will need to fit around (and in front of) your aquarium's filter, heaters, aerators, etc. and be small enough to allow maneuvering into the tank.

Once you're satisfied with the styrofoam appearance, it's time to texture the diy 3d background aquarium mold with the ready mix Quikrete. It may be mixed and gobbed on with a simple paint brush. Make sure to allow 24 hours between applications. 

Random Aquarium Facts and Trivia:

• mimicry - When an animal mimics, or copies the appearance of another animal in order to gain an advantage, like camouflage or a better defense. A good example is the marine fish, Mimic tang.
• Babies of the carnivorous Arowana live in their father's mouth until they are big enough to be on their own.

After the concrete has cured, we'll paint the shell of the diy 3d background aquarium. Rust Oleum's stone texture American Accents line of paint can create a realistic rocky appearance, though most any paint will do since we are going to inevitably seal the shell with fish-safe epoxy resin. Let us, however, err on the side of caution and use 100% latex paint (theoretically bio-safe). Make sure it says "100% latex" on the label, not just "latex". Allow sufficient dry time.

Next, and lastly in the diy 3d background aquarium project, we'll seal the shell with two-part water-proof epoxy resin designed for craft projects. 100% latex paint is not suitable, as it will break down under water eventually. Only epoxy resin for crafts projects will work.Super Glaze Parks Epoxy Resin from the Home Depot, for example, can be purchased for $20 and brushed over six square feet (get details on the product here). It comes in two parts--a resin and an activator--which must be mixed in equal parts and applied as soon as possible over the shell of your diy 3d background aquarium. Make sure to coat the underbellied of your caves and crevasses completely, leaving no naked styrofoam for your fish to eat.

Implementation:

By now you should have a fish-safe diy 3d background aquarium ready to be attached. Apply silicone to fill in any awkward cracks, keeping in mind that leaving some undisturbed can lend to the natural appearance. Allow one week minimum for your diy 3d background aquarium project to dry.

Random Aquarium Facts and Trivia:

• Sessile: An organism that is not free to move about. It is usually permanently attached to a substrate of some kind. For example, a rock.
• Symbiotic: A relationship where two or more different kinds of animals live together and both benefit in some way from the other's company. The most famous example is the clownfish and the anemone.

To finish, affix you 3d aquarium background inside your aquarium however you like, ensuring that fish cannot get trapped behind it and that no hoses or air tubes are hindered. Depending on the size, your diy 3d background aquarium slate should be heavy enough that it won't require weighting down, rather some sort of rudimentary brace to keep it from falling over.

Finally, fill your tank with water and monitor PH levels closely. They should initially be high. Perform several water changes to rinse away any trace foreign chemicals from your diy 3d background aquarium, simultaneously adjusting PH. Err on the side of caution here, allowing up to a month before adding aquatic life.

Summary

Random Aquarium Facts and Trivia:

• Well cared for Goldfish can live for 70 years.
• Calcium: A mineral that is the major building block of corals and other calcareous organisms. In a reef tank, calcium levels should be maintained between 380 and 480 mg/l. Calcium levels can be maintained through regular water changes, by using calcium additives, or through the use of kalkwasser.

We hope you've enjoyed this diy 3d background aquarium article. Feel free to browse the site for tons more aquarium resources. And don't forget to check out our bonus fun corner including free