something unusual for your aquarium. Make a copy of nature

**4Mike** · 02-22-2013, 03:22 AM

Hi
Probably one of nicest backgrounds I've had in my tank was a mold of a rock formation that was on an Island on the seashore. I noticed the really interesting background in one of our public aquariums. What it consisted was plastic mold material that could be poured on a formation and then released after a period of time. I think I first applied a release compound first on the formation.

It came out really nice only next time I'm going to spread different pigments to look like rock layers like shale. Once you have the mold off you can trim it to match your tank. Was a little pricy since it took a few times to get it right..

Had caves and everything. Did take a few days to find exactly what I wanted to copy. If anyone is interested I can research what I used as it was very difficult to get the public aquarium people to tell me what they did. After bending many ears someone told me their secret. I will occasionally check this post or you can leave me a message on the "New to the forum page\ if you are interested. :)
Mike

**Honey Badger 1** · 02-22-2013, 02:40 PM

I am not a DIY type person, but I have been considering buying a 3D background for a tank I am planning. I haven't decided what sort of background I prefer and would love to see some pictures of the one you have/made.

**4Mike** · 02-22-2013, 04:23 PM

Unfortunately it has gone with all the other aquarium things that I have made, acquired. I just seem to drift through time discarding stuff and doing new things. It can really be a fabulous background. But it only reflects how much time you are willing to spend on project. It was not cheap and required lots of time to find the exact formation that I wanted. Had lots of barnacle imprints and looked very realistic. I think once I poured the mixture on rocks I spread it with a heavy wide brush so it would be somewhat uniform in thickness. I would improve things as tried it again like coloring different imprints so they looked more natural.
I also would do some extra things like silicone the imprint to the back wall, weight it down and put a small volume pump in it so there would not be any dead spots with the different tunnels.

**talldutchie** · 02-22-2013, 06:15 PM

I admire your effort. For me personally it wouldn't work, kind of tank I like to keep is more likely to have a muddy bank as a natural background.

**4Mike** · 02-22-2013, 06:27 PM

That sounds really nice. Might give it a try sometime. My taste is continually changing so I do lots of different things. I make most of my own filtration or modify store bought stuff. Occasionally when lazy I just use what I buy. Went through a time when I made all my aquariums all were unique looking. Last project I converted a wine barrel into a fish tank. Oh well, different time different project.

**4Mike** · 02-22-2013, 06:54 PM

Hmmm, can you tell me more about your aquarium. What lives in it. What about filtration, lighting. Starting to interest me. Is it a natural mud ?

**4Mike** · 02-22-2013, 07:42 PM

went to your profile, great project, lots of thought went into it, final results couldn't haven't better.

**4Mike** · 02-23-2013, 03:55 AM

Wow!!! I think you sparked a new project for me. When you mentioned mud it started my mind thinking I live on the ocean and all around me are tidal mud flats. All kinds of wonderful things are in that mud. I have often accumulated many cold water things into my aquarium. They are used to fluctuations in temp. and salinity as the tide pools dry.
I Think I'm going to harvest some mud and plant life. I will build a mud flat in my aquarium.. I will even duplicate the time and length of the tides.... so cool... Just a start needs lots more planning. I might also introduce some local Anemones they also are out of the water during the tides. Might need another aquarium
Thanks for the hint

**4Mike** · 02-23-2013, 04:35 AM

Hmm, need to study how fresh water gets integrated into the mud. Lots of stuff like clams are filter eaters...Got to figure out what the other stuff eats?

**4Mike** · 02-23-2013, 05:07 AM

Lots of hermit crabs, snails, worms of every description. probably need a long aquarium to get some depth to the water. Around here a 13 ft tide is not unusual. Alaska has 25 ft tides, might have to build my tank. Could raise one end of tank with a motor with a timer to develop the tide