Fake Rocks

[Wetpets]

I have made a few fake rocks from polystyrene. Really easy to do!

Here are the results:

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What do you think?

[mommy1]

i think they look great thumbs2:

[Sharon]

They do look great!!!thumbs2: I always worry about the weight issue, with real rocks!

[Wetpets]

Me too Sharon. Although this presented a bouyency problem (so the opposite! LOL). But it's nothing ENOUGH silicone can't handle!

[Jaster]

Awesome job! thumbs2:

What did you use to color the styro?

[rich311k]

That looks great. Very nicely done.

[gau]

They are so awesome and realistic!!
Please give us some details on how you made them and colored them.

[Wetpets]

Awesome job! thumbs2:

What did you use to color the styro?

I'ts a water-based paint (non toxic - as you can see!!!) called Duram FibreTec. It's used for sealing ponds, roof flashing and plinths. I'm sure there is an equivalent in your area - Bitumenous sealers work also, but you should run a filter and charcoal for about a week (rinsing daily) as a precaution.

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I undercoat in black, then sponge on charcoal, then with a very dry brush use nearly dried light grey and whithe for the highlights.

[Wetpets]

They are so awesome and realistic!!
Please give us some details on how you made them and colored them.


Sure. Colour detail is above.

Basically I buy a sheet of 20mm or 40mm poly and cut one piece to the size of the back of the tank (Edging the rear with a stanly knife blade so there is space for the silicon on the tank's edges).

Lay the poly flat and mock up what you want (pencil, or go ahead and cut pieces that look cool). I like to layer the poly: Cut a big triangle and lay in position, then a smaller one that fits on top of fist one (no limit on layers).

Once you have a few rough pieces you need to glue (using poly glue) them to the backing.

You will have a 2-4 layer relief, and very rough idea of the final shape.

THE FUN PART:

Cut a few rough grooves, holes etc. The more random the better. Then, using a candle or blowtorch (wear a mask or do this outdoors as the buring poly is toxic), gently "singe" the edges. The poly will melt randomly and give a great bubbling texture. The Poly glue is flammable, so watch out...

Then it's painting as described above.

Maybe I should do a photo tutorial if enough people are interested... I meant to do one every time I created a new background - but... excitement got the better of me!

[Northernguy]

Nice backgrounds!
Krylon Fusion spray paint is available in North America and is aquarium safe paint if the Duram FibreTec is not available!

[gm72]

Really nice results. Looks fantastic!

[jackson17]

Ya please do a photo tutorial. When I get my 125 I want a cool background like this. Wanna put enough caves and hide outs to get some egg hatching and make every1 have their own little home lol

[MonkeyPox]

I like the 3D effect

[btate617]

Great photos Wetpets. I read a DIY article on this a few years back and it looked like a good idea. Yours came out looking great nice job.

Brian

[Wetpets]

Thanks for all the kind words, and not one negative. Wish I could 'buy' you all a gift, but it will just have to be the "though that counts"...

My fish are certainly happiers with all the nooks and crannies to hide in!

I won't promise a date on the Photo-Tuturial, but will get to it (stormy here at the moment).

[jackson17]

You use used some foam I'm guessing? Might give it a whirl with nothing else to do lol

[Wetpets]

Polystyrene sheets - the kind used in insulation. I picked up mine from a builder / DIY depot. Like on the bottom of cheaper fishtanks... but you wouldn't know anything about them, would you? lol

[jackson17]

Ok, have to leave my house today for two hours because of a open house might head over to Home Depot and check it out...They use it on the bottom of fish tanks? I'm confused, you lost me with that one lol

[sunnyjones003]

i looked into this when i had my first tank, but waw well done its looks stunning, ive seen a similar style forsale round my way (wales), no but a good job well done

might attempt one for my 8 foot tank

[Wild Turkey]

Very cool! very similar to how you make terrain for Tabletop wargames:

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I love the look. Never thought about it in my fish tank though, thanks for sharing

[Wetpets]

Just to let you know that I bought poly today so hopefully will get the full DIY tutorial up by the weekend.

Should I post here, or a new thread?

[fins_n_fur]

Please post in a new thread, please. It will be easier to find or sticky. Awesome looking jobs and can't wait to see the how-to!

[Sarkazmo]

Very cool! very similar to how you make terrain for Tabletop wargames:

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I love the look. Never thought about it in my fish tank though, thanks for sharing

OMG! It's a Warhammer 40k player, hehehehehe. :)

I've not table top gamed in years... used to paint miniatures all the time though, a hobby I want to get back into.

Sorry to go off topic there.

I do have to say that I have reservations about in tank painted items. Krylon Fusion is supposed to be fine once it's cured and I have seen filter tubes that've been painted with it that were encrusted with coraline algae as well as corals. I figure (don't know for sure) that Fusion would melt polystyrene though.

Ok, that being said, it does look nice and has a lot of possibilities. I've seen similar done with quickcrete and polystyrene but it usually alters the ph of the water making it quite alkaline.

I guess I'm adopting a wait and see position. :)

Sark

[Hailey]

WOW! I love it! Better then the styrofoam ones you can buy, and they look like fun to make.
I wonder how mine would turn out...
I have no idea where I could find that stuff though.

Cant wait for the tutorial!

[Wetpets]

Incedentally, Polystyrene = Styrofoam

[matthew.shelly]

very cool. ive seen a lot of people do similar things with styrofoam and quickrete. neat stuff. one of my favorites i found on ratemyfishtank.com. i go there every once in a while to look at different tanks. ill attach a photo of the tank im talking about.
the only real rocks are the smaller ones in piles on the sides. he sculpted the rest himself.

[DrNic]

Those are INCREDIBLE!! Very impressive!!

Can't wait to see the tutorial. I would start a new thread.