Hi everyone I'm currently having a 700litre tank built and want to put a nice 3d background in it. So i decided to build a model one to go in one of the 2ft tanks i have to get the design and some practice before i do my big one.

Just thought i post some progress pics as i know i like seeing other peoples work and getting new ideas.

si sphinx has written a good instruction guide on how to build one of these its actually really easy and didn't take that long so more people should give it a go youll be suprised at what you can make.

I started with a poly bin, cut off the bottom to use it as my backing then just glued random squares and chunks of poly onto it where i wanted it to look like rocks.

I then spent an hour or 2 shaping the chunks with a spoon yes just a normal spoon, and this is what i ended up with

http://s785.photobucket.com/albums/yy13 ... C10199.jpg

http://s785.photobucket.com/albums/yy13 ... C10203.jpg

I have put a side on and an overhanging rock in the top corner as eventually i would like to get the illusion of a rock cave type thing.

http://s785.photobucket.com/albums/yy13 ... C10207.jpg

http://s785.photobucket.com/albums/yy13 ... C10208.jpg

Have now coated it with cemix and i used a dark brown oxide to give me a slighty reddish looking rock.

looks realy good photos don't do it much justice as the red doesn't really show not sure why,probably because i suck at taking photos i just point and shoot. but heres a pic anyway

http://s785.photobucket.com/albums/yy13 ... C10284.jpg

http://s785.photobucket.com/albums/yy13 ... C10285.jpg

Am coating it with epoxy resin today with a sprinkling of sand to take away the shine i'll put some pics of how it looks later today

Looking gud

Remember to think about the sand you use and how much you use over the resin because it will change the colour of the background slightly also.

I need to get some more poly and make another one 8)

thats mint as i think im going to have to make one now

I can help with sourcing poly, can even get the whole template cut out with the hotwire so would mean the back was just 1 big solid piece, which is what i'll do next time. I just have to drive to cromwell but will be going up soon so if you want some let me know what size and how much you want and i'll get it all at once.

simon i was just going to use sand from the beach is that a good idea? figured it might add a goldish tinge to the red i have. Wouldn't have a clue how much to put on tho was probably just going to go for a light sprinkle, also how many coats of resin did you do?

Did a couple of layers of epoxy resin today and a good coat of sand came up quite good looks a bit dark but its still got to dry properly, just got to cure it now then i can put it in the tank and fill it up

http://s785.photobucket.com/albums/yy13 ... C10287.jpg

That sand looks gud, when you've had it in the tank for a while the algae growth sorts it out

im not going to get any poly or anything until i know how big my new tank is going to be just in case i don't get enough.