Rocky tank

[jon]

would this be ok for my axie?
its made from polystyrene and coated with a cement/grout layer and then sealed using G4!

 

[hayley-jane]

Can't advise you on the chemical side of it, but visual wise its really really nice.

With some plants etc I'd say that would be the nicest set up on here!

*very jealous*

 

[rheann]

Hey Jon, I like your rock idea! You made it? if you have a local aquarium, find out from them if the stuff you used will be ok for your tank. You got me hooked! now I want to do a rock background for my tank

I think I will also look into the products you used to make it

 

[hailz]

Hey jon, That looks soooooooooo cool, i really like the purple sand!
i know you can buy similar looking rock features here in Australia, ive never seen one in a tank though, very impressive

 

[jon]

thanks for all the comments and yes i did build it?
i used all pond/tank grade products so thats not a problem was concerned about the axie hurting himself?
its a really easy project that id recomend to anyone (it was origanly for a tang' tank setup)
as long as you seal it propley theres no worring about things leaching into the water?
heres a couple of pics!!

 

[maja]

looks so cool.. i´ve made my own background two.. by flamingo and alfix, but yours look so much better !

 

[maja]

do you have more pictures ? think i wanna make a new background two

that not sits on the backgrounds glass.. where did you get the idea from ? .. it looks like something from the star wars

 

[hayley-jane]

how much did it cost?

Did you paint it after you had shaped it?

 

[jojovial]

great !!!i would like to do so,but i've read that polystyrene are toxic in water,
do you use a plastic resin varnish epoxy,
i saw some exemples of background made in polystyrene and entirely paint with epoxy resin ,hard and long work !!!
but ..its in french
http://www.aquasquale.com/V2/modules/icontent/index.php?page=9

 

[jon]

i cut and shaped some 100mm/4" polystyrene sheet into the basic shape and then got out the blow torch (CAUTION THIS IS VERY TOXIC AND SHOULD ONLY BE DONE OUTSIDE!!!!) lightly singe'd the whole surface, then i coated it all(back as well) with a non toxic waterproof swimming pool/shower grout (2-3 coats is fine), it looks a little fake at this point!! then comes the magic bit!! get some standard(yellow drying)pond sealant(i used G4 500ml) and stiple(dab small amounts)all over, do the same on all sides and repeat(2-3 coats again), once the sealant has dryed all you have to do is fix it in place (i siliconed mine in as the tank was empty but you can use two pieces of perpex under your subtrate to pin it to the back(a friend has done this and it works well if its a nice tight fit verticly)
if you have a brace in the middle of your tank then you need to cut it into 2-3 pieces try to cut at a 45`degree as it wont notice as much when in place?
hope this helps feel free to ask any questions and ill try to answer as best i can
berny

 

[jon]

it cost about £30 all n all
cheap if you ask me

 

[rheann]

I am totally going to take up this prodject idea for a new tank set up I plan to set up in the future. I'll check out my local Home Depot and see what products they have

Thanks Berny, does the pond cealent come in other colors?

 

[jon]

yup sure does jusk ask at your local pond/aquatic shop!

 

[mel]

that set up looks fantastic!!could you post some pics when your axies are shown their new home?I couldn't imagine this would hurt them for they swim around with rock and wood, couldn't imagine that it would be that much harder or pointier?gosh they are going to love that! can't wait to see them enjoying it!

everyone has sand but I have never seen it in australia, are my rocks ok for them? there is a photo in axie gallery, 'the gang'

 

[jon]

you can use play sand but it needs alot more washing?
http://www.sandtastik.com/categories.asp
im sure you could get that in oz? gotta be worth a try?
berny