DIY 3D styrofoam background

[carpe_diem]

ive ran across this site: http://www.thecichlidgallery.com/art...background.htm where this guy made a crazy styrofoam background for a FRESHWATER tank. i was wondering if i did the same kind of background, would it affect the water? if i had done the styrofoam background, i would have sealed the edges of the foam touching the tanks sides to ensure no water wont get behind it. any suggestions for backgrounds are welcomed.

 

[rberhow]

It looks very cool but seems like it would take up a lot of tank space.

As far as safety, I have no clue, sorry.

 

[matty0h_52]

In my opinion that is prob. not a good idea for salt watter. For fresh watter, fine. But if you do that your going to loose out on any benefical bacteria that live rock will creat. live rock is an importat part. and in my opinion looks way better. Allthough its a cool idea i would steer away from ideas like that. I would just paint it black and call it a Day. But if i had the time and a fresh watter tank, i may concider useing that idea.

 

[computrgk]

Damn that looks like alot of work cool but alot of work wouldn't the saltwater eat the styrofoam or at least the paint off of it

 

[nofish]

that cool. i was thinking of air brushing the back of my tank with the paint on the outside.

 

[carpe_diem]

thanks for the inputs guys, ill just mess around with my freshwater tank for that. ill probably get some window tint for my saltwater now.

 

[oceanist]

i think he means the styrofoam would be on the outside of the tank , i have seen this done and it is very cool looking ......... fenner talk about it in the conscientous marine aquarist.... deffinatly a good idea , and awesome looking from the front , all you need is the space on the back wall ....... i dont know if your in any position to do this but you could even cut the sheetrock on your wall and then insert your foam back ground into that , so it isnt so bulky