75 Gallon 3D Turtle Aquarium Background
#1 Guest_Yeahson421_*
Posted 05 March 2013 - 01:26 PM
So, after I had finished carving I applied my first coat. I used white Drylok as the base (4 cups) and added Quikrete dyes (1/4 cup red and 1/16 cup brown). I let this dry for a few days to makes sure it was good to go. I used all of the extra left over from the front to coat the side and back twice to ensure it was nice and strong. I wouldn't add any more than that for fear of stretching the dimensions.
The next coat once again used the Drylok as a base (4 cups), to which I added brown Quikrete dye (1/8 cup brown). I covered up most of the red, purposely skipping over the deep crevasses so they would retain the red.
For the third coat I used what was left of the brown (About 2 1/2 cups) and added Brown (About 3/16 or so). It wasn't dark enough, but my father told me that if I were to add too much of the pigment it would destroy the Drylok, so I decided to add Acrylic into the mix. I used Mars Black (About 2 1/2-3 teaspoons). At this point I felt it was sufficiently dark enough, so I applied it, being sure to skip over even the more shallow crevasses.
Once that dried, I moved on to the last coat. I used a similar mix to the second coat, but added some yellow acrylic until I had the sandy color I was looking for. Then, using a natural sponge, I would take a little bit of the paint, dab it off on a paper plate, then lightly dab it onto the background. This is what really made it look amazing. So, I'll post some pictures of where I'm at right now!
So, here's a full background shot, including the plumbing.
IMG_24991.JPG 115.3KB 2 downloads
Here's some details, flash on and off, and different spots.
IMG_25001.JPG 162.71KB 1 downloads
IMG_25041.JPG 144.09KB 0 downloads
I had to cut it into pieces (Pre-painting) to get it to fit. I cut the big piece I had to cut in half at an angle to make it easier to blend.
IMG_25051.JPG 103.34KB 0 downloads
Here's the back and sides.
IMG_25061.JPG 81.88KB 1 downloads
Here's the spraybar.
IMG_25071.JPG 74.43KB 0 downloads
IMG_25081.JPG 104.98KB 0 downloads
And here's the intake to the SunSun Canister Filter.
IMG_25091.JPG 82.78KB 0 downloads
IMG_25121.JPG 95.21KB 1 downloads
IMG_25131.JPG 101.17KB 1 downloads
#2 Guest_NVCichlids_*
Posted 05 March 2013 - 03:02 PM
#3 Guest_Yeahson421_*
Posted 05 March 2013 - 03:23 PM
#4 Guest_Yeahson421_*
Posted 05 March 2013 - 03:50 PM
#5 Guest_davidjh2_*
Posted 05 March 2013 - 04:11 PM
#6 Guest_Yeahson421_*
Posted 05 March 2013 - 04:33 PM
#7 Guest_EricaWieser_*
Posted 05 March 2013 - 06:40 PM
They later had problems because their fish ate chunks out of the styrofoam. I'm not sure if turtles are compatible with styrofoam or if they eat it.
#8 Guest_Subrosa_*
Posted 05 March 2013 - 06:48 PM
#9 Guest_Yeahson421_*
Posted 05 March 2013 - 10:27 PM
#10 Guest_NVCichlids_*
Posted 06 March 2013 - 02:43 PM
#11 Guest_Yeahson421_*
Posted 06 March 2013 - 04:41 PM
So, I added two rocks into the back, I'll be gluing the background in tonight, i'll post some more pictures, and then in a few days I should have it ready to go!
#12 Guest_Yeahson421_*
Posted 09 April 2013 - 02:48 PM
So, here's a picture of what I did to seal it up really well using Great Stuff expanding foam.
2013-03-09 02.17.16.jpg 107.51KB 3 downloads
I filled all of the gaps, then trimmed them down before sealing over it with silicone.
I then decided to repaint an old aquarium decoration that had shed it's resin. I did the same process, but skipped the first, lighter coat of brown due to time, but it turned out fine!
2013-03-09 03.14.12.jpg 140.9KB 0 downloads
2013-03-10 06.18.50.jpg 93.91KB 0 downloads
2013-03-10 12.58.17.jpg 101.85KB 0 downloads
2013-03-11 04.36.10.jpg 121.07KB 0 downloads
So, now that that was done, I set up the tank, let it cycle, and now, here it is, full, clear, and inhabited by my little turtle Timothy. (Due to it's location it is impossible to get a full tank shot, but I did my best!)
2013-04-09 03.23.51.jpg 124.56KB 3 downloads
2013-04-09 03.23.58.jpg 127.77KB 1 downloads
2013-04-09 03.24.14.jpg 137.43KB 0 downloads
2013-04-09 03.24.18.jpg 128.94KB 0 downloads
2013-04-09 03.24.24.jpg 109.91KB 1 downloads
2013-04-09 03.24.29.jpg 119.56KB 1 downloads
Well, I hope you guys liked the build! I'm open for any questions you may have!
Edited by Yeahson421, 09 April 2013 - 02:59 PM.
#13 Guest_biggreenavalanche_*
Posted 17 April 2013 - 11:12 AM
Rich
#14 Guest_Yeahson421_*
Posted 17 April 2013 - 01:48 PM
#15 Guest_biggreenavalanche_*
Posted 17 April 2013 - 02:39 PM
#16 Guest_EricaWieser_*
Posted 17 April 2013 - 05:19 PM
You can silicone multiple thin sheets of styrofoam together to make a thick one.ok, thanks...guess I'll keep scrounging ! LOL !
#17 Guest_biggreenavalanche_*
Posted 19 April 2013 - 11:26 AM
on the one you just built...did you use the "manheim" (spelling ?) filter set up ? Aside from that kind of filter, in your opinion, what would be a suitable filter for a hatchling red ear in a 10 gallon (for about a year)...will have a basking area and light, and maybe a companion hatchling turtle...also a couple two or three small comets...keep in mind this will be a "Sponge Bob" theme !! The decor I've got handled, I just wanna make sure it is WELL filtered !!!
Rich
#18 Guest_Yeahson421_*
Posted 19 April 2013 - 01:57 PM
#19 Guest_biggreenavalanche_*
Posted 19 April 2013 - 11:16 PM
Rich
#20 Guest_Yeahson421_*
Posted 19 April 2013 - 11:30 PM
1 user(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users