3D background

[BillT]

Impressive job.
How are you gluing the styrofoam together?

[b125killer]

Thanks Bill, I'm using silicone to glue everything together. 

[b125killer]

As I was test fitting the background I was thinking that I need to make the overflow longer and probably visible. The way it is now the water level will need to be up over the trim of the tank for it to work. it looks good this way but not practical.

[b125killer]

I think I'm happy with everything, now I'll start the cement covering and coloring.

I cut the overflow deeper and on both sides, now water can flow into the back chamber.



Water will go over the top of the first chamber into the media chamber, probably have some ceramic rings, bio balls, sponges, and filter floss.



this is the last two chambers, I separated the waterfall from the filter chamber. I don't want the filter flow to interrupt the waterfall. the last filter chamber will have the return pump and heater. you can also see the mechanical workings for the waterfall. I also got the screen on to stop fish from getting behind the falls. I need to drill the hole in the pvc and run an air stone to the bottom. It should work like the sponge filters. only it will lift sand with the water. 


If you can think of something I might need or I'm missing please fell free to let me know. This is the first time I made a filter system and don't want to miss anything. also not sure on what size pump i should get.

[BillT]

If I were doing this, I would want to make sure future maintenance is as easy as possible.
I would try to put any loose media in a bag or a canister-like thing so it could be easily removed and cleaned.

[Mugwump]

If I were doing this, I would want to make sure future maintenance is as easy as possible.
I would try to put any loose media in a bag or a canister-like thing so it could be easily removed and cleaned.

good idea......or something like the plastic strawberry baskets.....easy to fill and put in/lift out...

[b125killer]

The shelving things are only held in by pressure from the Styrofoam. I was thinking of just letting it set right on the filter media. and the media was going to be in filter bags. I'm sure it will need to be trimmed to fit again after the cement is dry. I did make sure I can fit my hand behind the filter also, it's tight but I can get everything out.

There's a few spots that need to be touched up, it's pretty much done. I still need to let it cure. I did it last night and it still a little soft. It also cracked some, when I went to move it. I hope that was just from it being soft.

 

[wsantia1]

The shelving things are only held in by pressure from the Styrofoam. I was thinking of just letting it set right on the filter media. and the media was going to be in filter bags. I'm sure it will need to be trimmed to fit again after the cement is dry. I did make sure I can fit my hand behind the filter also, it's tight but I can get everything out.

There's a few spots that need to be touched up, it's pretty much done. I still need to let it cure. I did it last night and it still a little soft. It also cracked some, when I went to move it. I hope that was just from it being soft.

 

That looks real impressive Scott. Great job.

[BillT]

Looks great!

Can't say I understand what the waterfall is doing underwater, maybe its Bikini Bottom (where Sponge Bob lives - normal physics does not apply).

How did you finish it?

[Mugwump]

Looks spectacular, Scott...great job !!.....how much weight did the cement coating add to it..??

[b125killer]

Thanks guy's, I finished it with cement, I colored the cement as I went along the way. I just added diffrent amount of coloring when I refilled the cement container. The cement added a lot of weight. I used about 10 pounds of cement.  I know it won't float anymore.

Bill It's more accurate to call it a sandfall. I seen it on Facebook and wanted to try it. I have been thinking of making a 3d background for sometime. and figured why not put a waterfall in it. if it doesn't work out I can always take it off the background and put another rock wall in.

[GraphicGr8s]

That's nice. Super nice. Wish I had that talent. My background is still in the garage as slabs of styrofoam.

[BallAquatics]

Very nice Scott.

Dennis

[b125killer]

Thanks guy's, it really wasn't hard to carve it. The cement was a little tricky. I made a lot of small spots that i had to use my hands to get the cement in. I had cement everywhere. I'm a little surprised how the cement color turned out. I wasn't sure how it would look. I'm going to let it cure for a long time before i put it in the tank.

[PaulineMi]

A talented man you are! That is so cool. Can't wait to see it up and running.