How to Make a DIY 3D Aquarium Background Rock Wall, Cheap and Easy!

Рет қаралды 46,904

StephenP2003 Awkwardics

Күн бұрын

UPDATE: The Plant Farm is Complete! Watch the Full Setup Guide: • Growing Easy Aquarium ...
Follow this simple DIY guide for how to make a 3d background rock wall for your aquarium using spray foam insulation and sand or gravel. It's very easy, cheap, and not too bulky or heavy. Very simple to trim, paint, and silicone to your aquarium glass to create a cool effect. Leave a comment if you have any questions!
#aquariums #fishkeeping #DIY
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0:00 Background Longevity
0:36 Tank Size and Plans
1:09 Materials
2:28 Laying the Base
3:52 Optional Second Layer
4:23 Painting
5:46 Trimming
5:56 Silicone Rant!
6:42 Gluing the Background
6:59 Books!
7:22 Optional Black Film

Пікірлер: 141

@Craig.catfish 7 күн бұрын

Books that take up aquarium space ❤

@Craig.catfish 7 күн бұрын

Was going to copy this this arvo Stephen but went with a pre fabric background I already had it ready other then cutting it 😆

@Khaymen223 3 ай бұрын

My buddys step grandfather invented that Great Stuff spray foam and sold it to DuPont. Needless to say he retired after the sale in Farmington Hills Mi, in a 14 million dollar mansion with an indoor cliff and waterfall .

@stargypsysoul604 Жыл бұрын

I’ve seen so many of these with cutting, carving etc etc. My hands couldn’t handle all of that! And I have tons of spray foam from home improvement. I am so excited! Thank you for this simple gorgeous background!

@AquariumAdventures 20 күн бұрын

I've just used this method to make a background for my daughters tank - so far it looks awesome! Thankyou so much for the inspiration!!

@StephenP2003 19 күн бұрын

Yay! glad it worked out!

@ianwatson3030 Жыл бұрын

Having never done a homemade background before, you've really made a video that shows how easy it "CAN" be done. Thanks mate for taking the time to record this and sharing.

@botanicustv4934 Жыл бұрын

By far the most affordable and achievable diy background. Thanks for sharing!

@nutmeggs 10 ай бұрын

This is the simplest DIY background I have seen, and definitely the most lightweight! Thank you!!!

@audrameyer9558 2 жыл бұрын

This was the best tutorial and I am 99.9% sure I can create something as cool as yours. Thanks so much!

@vanillalace86 4 ай бұрын

This looks great! I’m looking for a non toxic way to diy a water dish for my tropical frog, your information was SUPER helpful thank you.

@vikkirountoit497 Жыл бұрын

Finding this video and breathing a sigh of relief. Thank you for sharing a totally do-able background process. Thank you for making a video that is both informative and entertaining! Off to grab my supplies and play:)

@StephenP2003 Жыл бұрын

Awesome! Good luck!

@zezlan6671 4 ай бұрын

in process of setting up a new 100 gallon tank and really want a diy 3d background but was sooo not looking forward to doing one out of concrete and foam. so glad to find an alternative that is tons lighter and less likely to shatter my tank because it weighs 80lbs

@Jenny_Lynn 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Stephen!! I'm going to try this once the weather is better. Idea also for my reptile enclosure that I will have to check into.

@thebipolarfishkeeper 2 жыл бұрын

I like this! I've been looking into 3d backgrounds and they're expensive! Great DIY project Stephen

@hardystein114 Жыл бұрын

Good job Stephen ! Very different from what you usually see out there , I like it.

@lilkayak8181 Жыл бұрын

very cool and looks simple enough will be trying soon!

@ryang98 Жыл бұрын

thanks for the video. I am working on mine now for my 130gal. i used two cans of great stuff, but ran out quick. used fence post foam and it expands quicker for larger aquariums.

@lisadouglas2963 Ай бұрын

Great video, thanks.

@mariaz9538 2 жыл бұрын

Great tutorial and fantastic idea. I may have to try this if I can ever sneak the 40 or 60 in that I need for my L236

@Fishcentral 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome video Stephen, i’m thinking of trying this myself. God bless you and your family:) - Fish central

@manojshankar9 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. I tried your method. My background came very beautiful.

@StephenP2003 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome! I'm so glad it worked well for you!

@SumerSubba 2 жыл бұрын

You are the best, I went through 100 of videos and thanks god I didn’t give up. You made us so simple

@StephenP2003 2 жыл бұрын

Great! Glad I could help!!

@DidisFINDen 2 жыл бұрын

Now this is a project i could get into!

@Vinokski.Fishkoto 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing ✌️

@markfranklin8831 2 жыл бұрын

I love it I'm going out tomorrow and picking up some supplies and doing this. thanks for sharing 💯✌️👍

@StephenP2003 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome! Good luck!

@windowlicker532 2 жыл бұрын

Cool diy Stephen…thumbs up here👍

@davefarrell5912 2 жыл бұрын

Looks awesome great idea and info 👍 thanks for sharing

@OnlyOscars 8 ай бұрын

I’m going to do a background now! Thanks❤️

@BB-bv6uq Жыл бұрын

Thanks Stephen 👍👍 I learned something 😊

@timpeace5946 11 ай бұрын

You are excellent! Glad I stumbled across your content. Keep it up!

@StephenP2003 11 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@markfranklin8831 2 жыл бұрын

Great job this is awesome

@DebzAquaPetz 2 жыл бұрын

Amazingly cool love it great job 👏 💖

@Snoochie-Booch 2 жыл бұрын

Another awesome video man

@SkullAquatics 2 жыл бұрын

Great video 👍👍👍

@kocosanz6079 Жыл бұрын

AWESOME!!!! I WILL TRY IT

@MridulSinghMusic 2 жыл бұрын

Something I'm gonna do in the future! Never tried putting sand on expanding foam, always scraped away at the foam with various tools. Boy the librarians sure must hate you! LOL Loved the editing, and the Star Wars reference 🤣🤣

@StephenP2003 2 жыл бұрын

I wanted to put the whole awkward scene in there, but was afraid of the full force of Disney!

@MridulSinghMusic 2 жыл бұрын

🤣

@MFTAQ 2 жыл бұрын

This is awesome

@loladiarychannel9195 2 жыл бұрын

amazing your tutorial is very good, the result is cool

@Thunder.Aquatics 2 жыл бұрын

Very nice! I will be making one for my 55 gal

@blackthorne1497 Жыл бұрын

great video...i learned a lot

@vampgaia 2 жыл бұрын

I like this method. I might actually try this! The other methods I've seen involved mixing cement.

@StephenP2003 2 жыл бұрын

I tried a cement background first. It actually came out looking good, but then I chickened out over the potential water parameter shifting effects, coated it in flex seal, and it ruined the look. It's currently the background for the mosh pit, though.

@RikoStan 2 жыл бұрын

Cool project, great video. To the moon!

@S0004 2 жыл бұрын

Nice video P, I like the silicon explanation you gave should help someone out

@InterstellarRanger Жыл бұрын

Great job dude..

@StephenP2003 Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@DepthsUnknown 2 жыл бұрын

I dig it! i'll have to try that sand method. even tho it's coarse and irritating

@StephenP2003 2 жыл бұрын

And it gets everywhere!

@kelleyforeman 2 жыл бұрын

You are so DIY clever! I am terrible at making things. Those Kerri blue tetras are fantastic! I thought about buying some for my new 10 gallon, but I think they might get a little big and fat.

@StephenP2003 2 жыл бұрын

Maybe a bit big for the 10, especially because you'd want to get at least 20 for maximum awesomeness. And did you see the Kali Tawa in the shot, too? They are tiny, no color whatsoever yet lol.

@kelleyforeman 2 жыл бұрын

@@StephenP2003 you gotta give these guys a looong time. I got mine back in April and they are still getting there. I don’t think they grow as fast in my setup as they do for Ryan. I don’t know if it’s because my water is harder than his, or that I use CO2 or maybe that I don’t feed baby brine like he does. They are very pretty, though! Sadly, the females are super blah. Let’s hope you got a couple males!

@brooklyneasternstandard6124 4 ай бұрын

Great tutorial! Very, very interested in doing this for a 75 Gallon Mbuna Cichlid Tank! Question, what would you recommend if I wantedto make the background removable?

@StephenP2003 4 ай бұрын

I haven't tried to make a removeable one yet, but I think if I were going to attempt it, I would make it oversized (slightly too wide, but only by a centimeter or two), so that it fits in the tank snug and is held there by friction. Alternatively, I'd consider attaching the bottom of the background to some pieces of slate to weigh it down. The background is extremely buoyant, so that's where your challenge would be in whatever method you chose. I'll also say that siliconing it to the glass doesn't make it permanent, per se; you'll just hate life if you ever do decide to take it out.

@brooklyneasternstandard6124 4 ай бұрын

@@StephenP2003 Thank you! And again great stuff!

@fishiemon64 2 жыл бұрын

I wonder why you wont find it in anyone elses 👀👍🏽✌🏽

@The1985rangel 5 ай бұрын

Good video! Two thumbs up! Question, after peeling off the back and before painting do you rinse off?

@StephenP2003 5 ай бұрын

Nope, I don't rinse it at any point, other than when I first fill the tank, I might do a couple of water changes if the water is cloudy from the substrate.

@kollecamara030 Ай бұрын

Thanks for the vid! I’ll try this method out in a couple of days. One question since I’m a beginner, do you have to seal the edges of the background with silicone or not? Incas thinking that maybe the contact from water with the foam will have an negative impact? Thanks and all the best from Germany.

@StephenP2003 Ай бұрын

@@kollecamara030 there's no major issue with the foam contacting the water, but one reason you may want to seal close to the edges is to prevent waste, debris, and stagnant water from accumulating behind the background in large amounts.

@KristenMartin-qq1xv 14 күн бұрын

I love this idea! However, there’s already water in my tank. Can I still do this and then place in my tank? Or does it have to be empty?

@StephenP2003 14 күн бұрын

The challenge is adhering it to the glass, because the background is going to float otherwise. If you made it exactly wide enough to wedge between the sides, you might be able to hold it in place with friction, but I don't know if anyone has tried that.

@theaveragefishguy6055 Жыл бұрын

Not bad at all

@DanielSarli Жыл бұрын

Excellent tutorial, man, love the results and the way you explain it. Is this some specific kind of paint? I cannot find this brand in my country, but probably I can find an alternative if I know the type of paint that won't be harmful for the beasties. Keep the great work!

@StephenP2003 Жыл бұрын

You want to look for something meant for painting plastics. Is rustoleum available?

@DanielSarli Жыл бұрын

@@StephenP2003 Yes, There's Rust-oleum here :)

@chrisdrew2275 Жыл бұрын

Hey, loved part one....wheres part 2?!

@StephenP2003 Жыл бұрын

Here ya go! kzfaq.info/get/bejne/Y5-CabOC3dfViHU.html

@ScottyAquatty 2 жыл бұрын

Nice I have been thinking about trying it myself. Do you think it would work just by putting the spray foam right on the glass.

@StephenP2003 2 жыл бұрын

I don't think the foam would actually stick to the glass itself, but if you spray it end to end, it would definitely expand enough to wedge itself in... much easier to remove if you ever get tired of it, too. Not a bad way to do it, especially if you don't intend to paint it.

@andrewderksen3342 7 ай бұрын

I made the mistake - not installing it right away And it curled :( Just made it more difficult to install is all 👍

@elliew7596 Жыл бұрын

I have a new 125 gal, and I wasn't sure what I was going to do and now I know! They are going to be so happy since they are rock dwelling cichlids. Do you have any DIY lighting ideas?

@StephenP2003 Жыл бұрын

Awesome! So, the only DIY lighting I've done was also for a background, normally I just stick with the usual planted tank lighting.

@razalaas441 7 күн бұрын

Ive been having a hard time keeping a styrofoam decoration glued down to the glass. I used a DAP Alex Flex. Its been able to keep the smaller decorations held down, but I have 2 taller ones that keep coming detached when i get the water almost full. Is the GE All Purpose stronger you think? Thanks!

@StephenP2003 7 күн бұрын

I just looked up DAP Alex Flex. That's a siliconized latex-based caulk. It's mostly made of latex, and water soluble. It won't hold well, and you don't want that broken down latex adhesive in your tank. Whatever you use, make sure it says 100% silicone, and you must let it fully cure before a drop of water touches it.

@razalaas441 7 күн бұрын

@StephenP2003 thank you so much! I had looked it up too but I'm still trying to learn as much as I can. I will break down my other decorations and reseal them with the GE All Purpose. Thanks again!

@ErikWhyRock 2 жыл бұрын

I am the least artistic person to have ever lived and I think I could do this!!

@StephenP2003 2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely! I half-assed it and it still came out pretty good.

@ADHDAquatics 2 жыл бұрын

😎😎😎😎

@FGDireito 2 жыл бұрын

If I have, for exemple, a plastic airplane model, can I use the Polyurethane Clear Coat to make it cold freshwater aquarium safe? Awesome easy follow tutorial!

@StephenP2003 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, just let it cure completely before exposing to water, and use the oil based kind.

@FGDireito 2 жыл бұрын

@@StephenP2003 oh cool I will try to found the same spray can you showed and follow it's instructions, I wanted to do a Tie Fighter wreckage aquascape for some time now, but the information online is really misleading I almost gave up searching for an awnser... I've read about Plastidip, Krylon, Silicone, UV resist Acrylic, FlexSeal, but no one can give a straight awnser, all say epoxy but thats not easy nor affordable.

@tedfisher1396 10 ай бұрын

I'm looking to do a background on a 72" aquarium, would you build a background in 3 sections?

@StephenP2003 10 ай бұрын

You can make it as one solid cohesive piece and then cut it into sections if you need to do so to fit it in the tank (center braces being in the way and all). That's how I did the background shown at the very beginning of this video on a 55inch tank. Then I used a bit more spray foam to hide the seam.

@steves937 Жыл бұрын

How would you put in a bump out for the intake,heater, and clean water return?

@StephenP2003 Жыл бұрын

I would probably encase that equipment in something like rigid styrofoam to make a 3D template, and put spray foam on the template. That would be if you want to hide the equipment, as of course the simplest solution is cutting around it.

@elijahthomas4080 Жыл бұрын

If I were to use the concrete method to make a 3d aquarium could I still use the polyurethane to coat it? I want to be able to but the background in fairly soon rather than waiting several months for the concrete to no longer change the ph of the water.

@StephenP2003 Жыл бұрын

The polyurethane isn't going to be lasting solution. Polyurethane coats are not totally water impermeable over time so it will only slow the reaction. You would be need to coat it in epoxy, which I feel gives too much of an artifical look, or coat it in drylock paint, which is a solid color and defeats the purpose of using concrete in the first place. I spent several months working on cement background solutions, and ultimately I decided that using this spray foam method is the easiest and safest method, even if doesn't essily lend itself to the most advanced background designs.

@christinabradley3748 3 ай бұрын

Can you put a heater behind this? Is it safe as far as the foam goes?

@StephenP2003 3 ай бұрын

You could, but just make sure the heater was never on while the water is draining or it would for sure melt the foam if it's touching it or very close it... but my main concern would be lack of flow if it's tucked behind the background, it wouldn't be very effective at distributing heat in the whole aquarium.

@isbiome 22 күн бұрын

is the polyurethane coat just a precaution? just wondering

@StephenP2003 22 күн бұрын

@@isbiome yeah, pretty much, not that I really put a lot of effort into making sure there was a perfect seal against any potential toxins. But the background is still holding up in a plant grow out tank with fish actively breeding for the past 2 and a half years. I suppose the extra poly layer also serves as a bit of extra adhesive for the grains of sand that may be barely hanging on to the foam.

@hillsidesmoke7592 Жыл бұрын

I have that GE 2 silicone and on the back it specifically states "not recommended for underwater or aquarium use " what's up with that ?

@StephenP2003 Жыл бұрын

It's more of a cover-your-ass situation. For one thing, most people don't consider the significantly longer cure time that silicone 2 demands because of the solvent it uses, so there is an inherent risk in using it in aquariums if you don't know what you're doing. There is no reason to CHOOSE silicone 2 over some other product, but rather it will work for this purpose if it's all you have and you're willing to wait a week or more before adding water and livestock. Secondly, while fully cured GE Silicone 2 is fine for adhering decor/backgrounds, it's not ideal for sealing aquariums, as there are other silicones out there (like RTV silicones that will use a different curing method to form a stronger bond on glass), so it's safer for the manufacturer to say it's not recommended for underwater or aquarium use than to specify which use cases are "fine" and which use cases are less than ideal.

@raspymuffler3854 Жыл бұрын

whats the name of foam you use in the video?

@StephenP2003 Жыл бұрын

It's called Great Stuff Insulating Foam

@esanmarques90 Жыл бұрын

Will moss grow on the background

@StephenP2003 Жыл бұрын

Definitely, as will epiphytes, and even other types of plants will attach their roots to the background.

@nicelyspiced5902 Жыл бұрын

What were the wait times/ cure times in between products. How long did you wait before you put the paint on top of the spray foam? And how long should I wait to apply the Plasti dip after the colored spray paint? I know you had mentioned that we should let it cure for a week before actually putting it in the tank? Is that correct? Assuming that's after I apply the plasti dip. Great video! Thank you so much for the informative ideas! Definitely got my creative side aroused.

@StephenP2003 Жыл бұрын

I waited about 15 minutes between coats, 24 hours before top coat with poly urethane. I waited about 12 hours after the spray foam to start painting it. Are you going to use plasti-dip on it? That's a specific type of coating that i have not tried in a submersed environment.

@blackthorne1497 Жыл бұрын

I wonder how to install this to an existing tank that has fish and plants?

@StephenP2003 Жыл бұрын

You wouldn't be able to use silicone, but if you made the background wide enough that you could wedge it between the side walls and against the back glass, you might could make it work. I've never tried it.

@blackthorne1497 Жыл бұрын

@@StephenP2003 i will give it a try.

@GoLeafs03 3 ай бұрын

Sound like the guy from goodfellas was doing this tutorial

@StephenP2003 3 ай бұрын

Ray Liotta?

@GoLeafs03 3 ай бұрын

@@StephenP2003 yes lmak

@Rebel1280 Жыл бұрын

after watching this, i just had a though, has anyone tried that stick on tile? I saw some that had pebbles, thoughts?

@StephenP2003 Жыл бұрын

I've definitely seen that done before! But I don't know for sure what adhesive was used. The adhesive backing on those stick-on tiles may not hold up, but I imagine putting some silicone on it would work.

@andyyeo5358 2 жыл бұрын

Is this also safe in Saltwater/Reef tanks?

@StephenP2003 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, everything is fully inert when it dries if you use the exact paints and other materials I used. I verified the safety of these materials by confirming they were reef safe, since that is basically the pinaccle of sensitive systems.

@tanyawilson5928 Жыл бұрын

I have a hexagon tank. What can I use for the circular background

@StephenP2003 Жыл бұрын

Honestly, the foam background is so flexible that I think the same method would work for a hex tank. Some people apply the foam directly to the glass with success, but I have also heard of people breaking the glass from applying too much foam and the pressure from expansion being too much for the seams/silicone.

@tanyawilson5928 Жыл бұрын

@@StephenP2003 thank you. I’m going to do your method. I definitely want to hide all cords pumps etc. Any suggestions for. As pump and filter system for a 85 gallon hexagon tank?

@StephenP2003 Жыл бұрын

@@tanyawilson5928 you might find it easier to hide the intake and output of a canister filter, but hang on backs are definitely more convenient.

@tanyawilson5928 Жыл бұрын

@@StephenP2003 thank you

@lindawilliams7264 Жыл бұрын

What if your tank already has fish

@StephenP2003 Жыл бұрын

You'll definitely need to relocate the fish and drain the tank for a few days while the silicone cures. I suppose you could try to make the background just wide enough that you can wedge it in there using the side glass to hold it in place, but I don't know how well that will work.

@JohnDoe-xq8sk Жыл бұрын

The pond foam is closed cell foam the regular spray foam isn't. I've made many duck decoys out of foam and I'll tell you do not use anything other than closed cell if it's going in or near water!!! Open cell WILL absorb water if any tiny part is exposed.

@StephenP2003 Жыл бұрын

The great stuff foam I used is closed cell, not just the pond foam. I'd agree that you wouldn't want to use open-cell for anything you want to float.

@josholiphant2262 8 ай бұрын

So, is there a way to install this if the tanks already full with fish, I really don’t wanna drain the entire tank and move fish just to install, is there underwater adhesive that’s safe with fish or anyone have any ideas?

@StephenP2003 8 ай бұрын

You wouldn't be able to use silicone, unless you can drain the tank halfway and keep it that way for a few days until the silicone cures. You'll need to keep it clamped in place really well because the background floats. If you made the background wide enough that you could wedge it between the side walls and against the back glass, you might could make it work. I've never tried it.

@ryandean8222 Жыл бұрын

I just need to find the U.K. equivalent of the paints and foam used and at a reasonable price

@sagarmalthankar4066 10 ай бұрын

Can we put this without silicon

@StephenP2003 9 ай бұрын

Silicone would be the only adhesive that I'd consider using for this for longevity. This is a super light background and needs to be held down somehow. I know some have achieved this by applying the foam directly into the tank, using the expanding properties of the foam to secure the background in place. I have not tried this, and I've also heard of someone cracking their tank because of the force of the expanding foam.

@sagarmalthankar4066 9 ай бұрын

My problem is that my whole tank is in the wall so how can do

@StephenP2003 9 ай бұрын

@@sagarmalthankar4066 if you can reach far back enough to install a background, you can use sticks that are just long enough to wedge between the front glass the background. It does not take a lot of pressure, just enough for the silicone on the background to make continuous contact with the back glass.

@razreaver5331 Жыл бұрын

This is all true: ALL Polyurethane and Epoxy based compounds WHEN CURED PROPERLY will become non-toxic to any life form. Almost ALL TYPES OF PAINT these days are lead free, especially the water-based elastomeric paints.

@josephstanley200 2 жыл бұрын

Lol books taking up space for aquariums huh try being married to a master’s degreed librarian lol 😂

@josephstanley200 2 жыл бұрын

And yea I know I’m little late watching But I did watch it twice 😂

@StephenP2003 2 жыл бұрын

Better late than never! Just watch it maybe one more time to make up for it.

@cutefish7317 Жыл бұрын

3D Aquarium Background is an algae magnet.

@StephenP2003 Жыл бұрын

Definitely! As would be any surface in an aquarium that is exposed to light and has no plants covering it. Regular maintenance is important in those situations for sure. That is, assuming the person doesn't like the algae. It can often look really cool and add more to the natural aesthetic!