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Ann
Community Elder
Joined: 01 Feb 2005
Location: Victoria
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 Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 10:24 am |
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| Post subject: Making a fake rock wall. |
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You need polystyrene foam boxes (free from the fruit and veg shop)
We also decided to buy a block from Clark Rubber, it cost $20.
We used the block for the back.
Went on a few sites, and got some ideas of what we would like it to look like.
Measured up the tank, worked out that we would have to cut into four pieces to get it past the bracing in the tank (four foot aquarium).
Drew up a rough design on the block.
Carved out a few hidey holes and sealed them off with a heat gun.
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Ann
Community Elder
Joined: 01 Feb 2005
Location: Victoria
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| Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 10:31 am |
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Cut out extra pieces from the fruit and vege boxes to mount on the background, seal with the heat gun and mount with aquarium silicone.
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Ann
Community Elder
Joined: 01 Feb 2005
Location: Victoria
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| Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 10:32 am |
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When the silicone is dry go over the whole thing with the heat gun, this will help the cement mix to stick.
We stuck some of the extra bits on one panel, but let it over lap onto the next, so that the straight panel cuts wouldn't stand out so much. Make sure you will still be able to get it together inside the tank though.
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Last edited by Ann on Wed Nov 08, 2006 10:58 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Ann
Community Elder
Joined: 01 Feb 2005
Location: Victoria
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| Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 10:37 am |
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Apply with GLOVED hands a grey cement and sand mix, that is fairly dry. We used the cement that doesn't have lime added, wasn't needed and not sure if it is safe. Leave to dry, will take a few days. Make sure you don't get to much on the sides and bottom as it will be to big for your tank.
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Ann
Community Elder
Joined: 01 Feb 2005
Location: Victoria
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| Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 10:45 am |
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You can see in this pic the waterfall. I already used a small water filter in my tank so we got a piece of hose and attached to the filter outlet. Used plastic elbow joints and then another piece of hose to in a furrow in the back of the rock wall, then another elbow joint at a 45 degree angle to bring the hose back into threw the foam at the top. We just carved a lower place in the top of the rock wall so that the water would flow down.
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Ann
Community Elder
Joined: 01 Feb 2005
Location: Victoria
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| Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 10:50 am |
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Finally paint over it roughly, allowing some patches of the cement to show through.
We used Bondall Terratite, it is safe for fish ponds.
Terratite. Almost half the price at bunnings (aprox. $20) compared to the paint shop($36)
http://www.bondall.com/Products/
DESCRIPTION / USE
TerraTite is a brushable terracotta coloured elastomeric water borne
modified acrylic waterproofing membrane. It has been specially
formulated as a single pack, environmentally friendly membrane
suitable for both interior and exterior conditions. TerraTite is also
suitable for permanent immersion in water.
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Ann
Community Elder
Joined: 01 Feb 2005
Location: Victoria
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| Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 10:55 am |
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When that was all dry we used some kids non toxic paint on the panels that wouldn't be under the waterfall, and roughly sponged on using blue yellow and red to get a few different colours on it.
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Ann
Community Elder
Joined: 01 Feb 2005
Location: Victoria
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| Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 11:08 am |
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The foam is easy to cut with a good kitchen/carving knife.
A lot of sites we visited suggested a piece of heated wire for cutting.
Be careful with the heat gun, you will be surprised how quickly the foam reacts to the heat, plus it can get a bit fumy.
We did use another bondall product to seal it but it washed straight off where the waterfall is, maybe we where to excited and didn't let it dry!! Doesn't seem to need it anyway.
We have heaps of everything left (except the foam block we brought for the back).
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Ann
Community Elder
Joined: 01 Feb 2005
Location: Victoria
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| Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 11:56 am |
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| A huge and proud THANKYOU to my hubby Steve, for making this for me!
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ving
tadpole
Joined: 31 Oct 2006
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| Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 12:37 pm |
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that is soooo cool 
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Brad M
frog
Joined: 29 Jun 2006
Location: Sydney, NSW
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| Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 4:52 pm |
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It think I've gotta make one for myself  Looks great!
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GrantW
Community Elder
Joined: 29 Jun 2006
Location: Sydney, New South Wales
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| Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 5:01 pm |
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| I've got a fake rock wall waterfall that was already shaped like a waterfall so all I had to do was paint it and the paint I used semi dissolved the styrofoam which gave it a rocky effect and ended up looking pretty cool. By the way, your one looks very good (and realistic).
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Seb
tadpole
Joined: 09 Mar 2006
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| Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 8:37 am |
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That's a great job! You've inspired me to give this a go myself. I wonder if a hair dryer could be used inplace of a heat gun? Are heat guns expensive?
I think a good background really transforms a tank. Yours looks excellent!
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Ann
Community Elder
Joined: 01 Feb 2005
Location: Victoria
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| Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 9:55 am |
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| Seb wrote: | That's a great job! You've inspired me to give this a go myself. I wonder if a hair dryer could be used inplace of a heat gun? Are heat guns expensive?
I think a good background really transforms a tank. Yours looks excellent! |
Thanks Seb!! Yep very happy with it! We did try a hair dryer but it didn't seem to get hot enough. We picked up a heat gun from Aldi, I cant remember if we paid $20 or $30.
Ann
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Khemo
frog
Joined: 14 Oct 2006
Location: Queensland
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| Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 8:45 pm |
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| wow...thanks for the instructions Ann, Looks very nice. I was going to make a background for my tank after Uni finishes and you've come up with some great ideas...Thanx
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