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:

• Chlorine: A substance used in municipal water supplies to kill bacteria. Chlorine is toxic to fish and invertebrates and must be removed from water before it can be added to the tank. A number of products are available for this purpose.
• Caudal Fin: The single fin mounted vertically at the rear of the fish. The tail fin.

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:

• Metal Halide: A type of light bulb that uses special gases to give off a very bright white light. They give off a spectrum of light very similar to sunlight and are highly recommended for reef aquariums. Metal Halide bulbs require a special ballast unit for operation.
• Biological Filtration: A method of natural filtration that uses bacteria to break down waste substances by means of the nitrogen cycle. These include undergravel filters, trickle filters, and sponge filters.

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.

Diy

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:

• Impeller: An electrically operated propeller that causes water to flow through a pump or filter.
• Nitrate: NO3, a product in the nitrogen cycle. It is not toxic at low levels; freshwater fish can tolerate up to about 40ppm (lower is better) before experiencing discomfort. In a saltwater tank it should be kept as low as possible, under 10ppm. There are only a few ways to remove nitrates from water; the most effective is a simple water change, while plants and algae consume some. It is possible, but risky, to convert nitrates into harmless nitrogen (the true end product of the nitrogen cycle) with a deep sand bed.

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. Just envision rocks and caves and start chewing until the surface begins to resemble a rocky wall. Tip: obtain a wire brush and grind with it randomnly to create authentic looking pits and contours. Remember to use your spare styrofoam chunks for caves, shelves and ledges. Silicone them firmly to the styrofoam surface and rough them up after they've anchored properly to create a natural look. Caves and troughs are optional, yet can make your background more authentic.

Random Aquarium Facts and Trivia:

• Sweeper Tentacles: Long stinging tentacles used by some aggressive hard corals to sting other nearby corals in order to obtain territory and growing space.
• Byssus Gland - The structure in clams that produces fibrous threads (byssus) that attach the clam to substrate. Sometimes permanent although more usually temporary attachment of tough organic threads secreted from a gland in the foot of the clam.

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:

• Aeration: Refers to the injection and distribution of air into your tank, either by gas exchange at the water's surface, an air pump or powerhead with venturi jet. The purpose of aeration is to supply water with enough dissolved oxygen to sustain life.
• Octocoral: An octocoral has eight tentacles on each polyp. There are many different forms which may be soft, leathery, or even those producing hard skeletons.

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:

• Copper: A metal used in the form of copper sulphate to cure diseases and parasite infestations in the aquarium. Copper is highly toxic to marine invertebrates and should NEVER be used in a reef tank.
• Cnidaria: A phylum of invertebrate animals comprising the sea anemones , corals , jellyfish , and hydroids.

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:

• asexual reproduction - Asexual means having no sex or sex organs, therefore asexual reproduction would be reproducing by means other than sex.
• Chiller: A piece of equipment used to cool down the water in an aquarium. Chillers are available in different types and sizes, including one that hooks up in-line with the water flow of the tank and one that drops into the sump. They all feature a thermostat for maintaining a constant temperature. Larger tanks require larger chiller units.

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 trivia and games.