birdwoman Posted August 7, 2006 Report Share Posted August 7, 2006 Hi all, I cannot express how nice it is to have someone to talk to who is really interested in fish keeping instead of a loving husband who just humors and supports me in my obssesion! I am just returning into the hobby again after a brief break and am currently building a polystyrene background which I am coating in resin. Could someone PLEASE tell me if epiglass marine resin is safe? I will be letting it cure properly and soaking before exposing to a very brave sacrifice! All replies most welcome. :bounce: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve Posted August 7, 2006 Report Share Posted August 7, 2006 As you are coating polystyrene it sounds it is an epoxy resin. A polyester or solvent based resin will disolve the polystryene. As long as you get a good cure it will be fine for what you are doing. To get a good cure, warm the finished background for a few hours (days) will help speed the final cure. This called post curing and will give the best chemical, and water resistance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdwoman Posted August 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2006 Thank-you so much for your reply Steve, I will definitely follow your advice, yes it is a 2 pot epoxy and I can now use it with confidence! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ljtan55 Posted August 7, 2006 Report Share Posted August 7, 2006 Heeeey that sounds awesome, how would you go about settin up a resin background for a tank? Could you post some pictures of the finished product. I'm always lookin for ideas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted August 7, 2006 Report Share Posted August 7, 2006 Better yet. Please write an article (with pics) and send it to me for pulication in the Aquarium World magazine Pretty please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdwoman Posted August 8, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2006 HI all, My background is not completely resin more a combination of polysteryne , acrylic paint, sand and resin. First of all you measure up your poly to find the inside measurements of the back of your tank. Then I cut out small rock shaped pieces of poly and siliconed them into place taking into account filter tubes etc. ( it is a good idea to dry fit with pins holding your rocks on first). When I was happy with the layout I painted the whole thing in a coat of dark green acrylic paint. When this had completey dried I painted over a generous amount of Epliglass marine 2 pot resin. Let this dry and re-apply your resin and while it is still wet sprinkle over a good layer of sand. (I used sandblasting sand that I bought from a gravel depot which I washed well and dried) Repeat this step once more to ensure a good coverage ( the green paint will disguse any missed spots) This is as far as I have got so am now at the stage of letting it cure properly then I will soak it for a few days and try a cheap fish with it just to make sure. I have also made a smaller one for a 10-15 litre that i have which I am going to house a betta in. Will try to post pics once that one is installed. We are moving in a few months so I will wait until then to install the big one. By the way you silicone the final product to the back of your tank.. PHEW....... Havn't taken step by step photos Caryl . Maybe someone out there would like to repeat this process and would be better prepared? Leonie : Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.