Hey Everyone. I’m glad that most of you have enjoyed this build. I wanted to address some of the comments requesting more information. It’s almost impossible to cover every option that can be done with these. The fact that these are 100% customizable, means that the possibilities of personalization are endless. If you want to hide equipment like heaters, canister filter returns, etc, this can be done. You can either build out an art during step 1 (the mold/spray process), or you can carve it out afterwards once dry. If you have a heater in the back, you will have to have some sort of water movement behind the background. An air stone would help with this. For those of you concerned about the cement leaching, yes, some leaching will happen. In my experience in building these, a few weeks is fine. If you wait for the cycle process, by the time the cycle is complete, leaching will be minimum. Obviously if you use a lot of cement, it can be a little longer. I’ll wait around 3 weeks before adding my final fish. Thanks for watching!
That was a great step by step video. Very dedicated nice guy to the hobby. Thank you for your effort and time. Im going to attempt this for my new tank.
The background came out really nice! 👍 Having it rise above the tank is a cool idea. Air plants would probably work better than succulents. That much warm humidity could cause some rot issues, but air plants love it. Looking forward seeing it all planted and stocked!
Thank you for showing this process. I may have to try it on my tank. However, I have some suggestions. 1. Place weights at the corners of your frame while the foam is drying to reduce or eliminate the high spots in the back. 2. When installing, put silicone around the back side of the caves to prevent fish from going behind it. 3. Lay the tank, backside down, for installing the background. This way you can add weights on it while the silicone is drying or it will weigh itself down. 4. Maybe add some plant shelves for underwater plants, too. 5. Add more rocks and/or stones in the foam for weight, larger texture and colors. Maybe add cement die for additional color. How about a PVC tunnel? Hide hoses in the foam for air or other features? Add holes and add branches or other extrusions? 6. To get a tighter fit on the sides, do a jagged cut to make two pieces then assemble in the tank. You can add cement to hide the cut. FYI: Since this resource is close, I like using Michigan beach sand in the bottom. Will have to see how it works for a waterfall effect. Great job.
Looks cool !! I would add more wood and rocks to the wall . Like the caves that's neat and the fish will love them too . Great job thanks for showing us how to do it .👍🍀☘️🐠🌿🍀🍃🐟🌱🐠🌱
hey man very good loking background, did you done any waterchanges since you put the concreete in, if yes how many waterchanges have you done till ist safe for fish, thank you man
Cement is the binder only. To prevent it from cracking It needs to be mixed with an aggregate such as cement + sand = mortar, cement + sand + gravel = concrete. Mix the sand with the cement and make it wet like pudding to apply with brush. It cures in 3 days. Do initial water changes as you would do for the spikes when first setting up a planted aquarium. Mortar is mixed using one part Portland cement to three parts sand.
Grate video zenzo loved watching this and always wondered how to make them so really appreciate you taking the time to film it for everyone keep up the grate work love from the UK 🇬🇧 and merry Christmas
Came out great! Kind of wish u went thru more details on hiding heaters and filter equipment behind the background properly. But still loved the series! Thanks Zenzo!
Looks Great 👍 But I do have A Canister filter on a Acrylic tank I was hoping you mention it. What should I do differently but of the bulkheads. Please answer !!! Thanks for the video. Are your Tshirts available to buy in Vneck?
I currently do not have v-necks available. Just standard crew neck. As far as the bulkhead fittings, you can create extra space in the background for the fittings, or cut holes in the background.
The final look is awesome❤! Let me know if you decide on adding succulents, I've been propagating this past year from the mother plants, so I have a bunch of different kinds 😁👍🏻
Nice job! Besides the air plants up top, are you going to be adding any live plants in the tank itself? I couldn't hear very well, so I'm not sure if you mentioned it or not. 👍😎
My question/concern would be…what happens with the water that does leech behind the background inside the aquarium? Over time does it grow algae, slime, biofilm, etc.?
Marek Ryzyj Yes, there will be some leaching. I addressed this question in the pinned comment. My experience is that there isn’t that much concrete compared to like a pond. A few weeks should be fine.
I wonder how difficult it would be to make one of these with a branch or tree limb design instead of rock work. I would love to buy one of the commercial ones from Aquadecor or Universal Rocks, but they are so EXPENSIVE! To get one from either of those places the background ends up costing more than the aquarium with lights, filter, substrate, and decor. I wanted to do one with more tree limbs, roots, etc. for a Central/South American cichlid set up. I would prefer one that is thinner as well. The only problem with making it thinner is working out a heater set up and filter intake/return.
It looks cool. It also looks like its not quite wide enough, like 1/2 inch or so on each side, was this intentional for the trim or was it shrinkage/ some other reason?
I figured the reason for the shorter sides is to fit past the top lip. Maybe trim a back corner and slip in diagonally the move back. You could also add the silicone the the glass, or both foam and glass.
Hey love the channel i have a question i set up a 40 gallon tank running 2 aqaclear 50 filters in it im 5 days in but im haveing microbubbles coming outnof the filters going into the water staying ot the surface ia that nornal for a new tank setup when i turn the airpump off it looks likenthere isbgreese on top too
Hi Ray. If it’s cracking, it may have cured too quickly. This has happened to me before as well. You can do some touch up with paint if it is out of the water and dry. You could also use a product called Drylok.
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Hey Everyone. I’m glad that most of you have enjoyed this build. I wanted to address some of the comments requesting more information.
It’s almost impossible to cover every option that can be done with these. The fact that these are 100% customizable, means that the possibilities of personalization are endless. If you want to hide equipment like heaters, canister filter returns, etc, this can be done. You can either build out an art during step 1 (the mold/spray process), or you can carve it out afterwards once dry. If you have a heater in the back, you will have to have some sort of water movement behind the background. An air stone would help with this.
For those of you concerned about the cement leaching, yes, some leaching will happen. In my experience in building these, a few weeks is fine. If you wait for the cycle process, by the time the cycle is complete, leaching will be minimum. Obviously if you use a lot of cement, it can be a little longer. I’ll wait around 3 weeks before adding my final fish.
Thanks for watching!
Have you add so fish in it ..where is the next step vidro? 🤣🤪
I’ve had fish in it for a couple of weeks now. The fish that I will permanently have in this tank have been ordered.
How about the expanding foam is it safe for the fish? Thank u for sharing :) very interesting
Yes, the foam is safe once fully dried.
Great job! Very well explained and executed with a good final effect.
That was a great step by step video. Very dedicated nice guy to the hobby. Thank you for your effort and time. Im going to attempt this for my new tank.
The background came out really nice! 👍
Having it rise above the tank is a cool idea. Air plants would probably work better than succulents. That much warm humidity could cause some rot issues, but air plants love it.
Looking forward seeing it all planted and stocked!
What a great how to video! Thank you for taking the time and showing us.
Thank you for showing this process. I may have to try it on my tank. However, I have some suggestions.
1. Place weights at the corners of your frame while the foam is drying to reduce or eliminate the high spots in the back.
2. When installing, put silicone around the back side of the caves to prevent fish from going behind it.
3. Lay the tank, backside down, for installing the background. This way you can add weights on it while the silicone is drying or it will weigh itself down.
4. Maybe add some plant shelves for underwater plants, too.
5. Add more rocks and/or stones in the foam for weight, larger texture and colors. Maybe add cement die for additional color. How about a PVC tunnel? Hide hoses in the foam for air or other features? Add holes and add branches or other extrusions?
6. To get a tighter fit on the sides, do a jagged cut to make two pieces then assemble in the tank. You can add cement to hide the cut.
FYI: Since this resource is close, I like using Michigan beach sand in the bottom. Will have to see how it works for a waterfall effect.
Great job.
Looks cool !! I would add more wood and rocks to the wall . Like the caves that's neat and the fish will love them too . Great job thanks for showing us how to do it .👍🍀☘️🐠🌿🍀🍃🐟🌱🐠🌱
Love the How-To Video, thanks for taking time to share your knowledge with us. The final product Looks great in the tank.
Wow great job!! I just watched all 4 videos and I can’t wait to start this project myself!!
Thank you very much for this nice videos series !
That is really really good !
Looking forward to do mine !
hey man very good loking background, did you done any waterchanges since you put the concreete in, if yes how many waterchanges have you done till ist safe for fish, thank you man
Cement is the binder only. To prevent it from cracking It needs to be mixed with an aggregate such as cement + sand = mortar, cement + sand + gravel = concrete. Mix the sand with the cement and make it wet like pudding to apply with brush. It cures in 3 days. Do initial water changes as you would do for the spikes when first setting up a planted aquarium.
Mortar is mixed using one part Portland cement to three parts sand.
Grate video zenzo loved watching this and always wondered how to make them so really appreciate you taking the time to film it for everyone keep up the grate work love from the UK 🇬🇧 and merry Christmas
Thanks jay I will bear it in mind I will probably just end up buying one I think it would be easier but I did love the video
Awesome video series. Very detailed. Will be taking on this project myselff
Dope DIY BRADDAH LOVED THE SERIES!! 🤙🏽🐠🌺🔥🤙🏽
Great job bro!
Looks.awesome! Thanks for putting these videos together.
Looks good Zenzo, thanks for the tutorial.
Bro that's absolutely awesome I can't wait to do mine now thanks for the insperation and the tutorial
Excellent DIY how to video!!!
Came out great! Kind of wish u went thru more details on hiding heaters and filter equipment behind the background properly. But still loved the series! Thanks Zenzo!
Josh Santos
He don’t heat his tanks. Heats the room but yes wish he explained what you could do if your using heaters.
Josh Santos Please see the pinned comment.
It looks fantastic!!
what happen to the sides you initially made? did you decide to cut them off for some reason?
Love it!! Looks great!!
Looks Great 👍
But I do have A Canister filter on a Acrylic tank I was hoping you mention it. What should I do differently but of the bulkheads. Please answer !!! Thanks for the video. Are your Tshirts available to buy in Vneck?
I currently do not have v-necks available. Just standard crew neck. As far as the bulkhead fittings, you can create extra space in the background for the fittings, or cut holes in the background.
Great job! Very well done.
Came out great! 🤗
The final look is awesome❤! Let me know if you decide on adding succulents, I've been propagating this past year from the mother plants, so I have a bunch of different kinds 😁👍🏻
I'd like some! Lol
Looks dope!!!
Pretty cool
Nice job! Besides the air plants up top, are you going to be adding any live plants in the tank itself? I couldn't hear very well, so I'm not sure if you mentioned it or not. 👍😎
Thanks brilliant ideas ,Very damp and cold in UK,so now seen finished item,going to take time to finish my background Off.
Happy Holidays
Phil (uk)
My question/concern would be…what happens with the water that does leech behind the background inside the aquarium? Over time does it grow algae, slime, biofilm, etc.?
Great background. Time for mud-skipper update?
very nice. I'd love a back drop that tall, but without a lid, I'd get too much evaporation.
Use a glass hinged lid. If the lid is too wide, put a groove in the foam for it. Mine has plastic in the back that I could eliminate or cut to fit.
@@Swing51Dancer I have a hexagon tank. My kids mom has it. When I get it back I might make a lexane lid
Any leeching concerns from concrete ? Always saw people had to soak and leech out ?
Dig the idea, just wish you would have gone to the sides with it in the tank somehow... Still cool
Could you spray paint or paint the cement in any way??
Plain concrete dries so like.. Would the colour grout not work the same?
Is there any leeching from the concrete? i thought you would have to clean the background thoroughly before populating the tank with fish.
there is A LOT of leeching, u should do many repeated cycles of waterchanges do imitigate that :)
he should really mention that.! not cool dude
Marek Ryzyj Yes, there will be some leaching. I addressed this question in the pinned comment. My experience is that there isn’t that much concrete compared to like a pond. A few weeks should be fine.
I wonder how difficult it would be to make one of these with a branch or tree limb design instead of rock work. I would love to buy one of the commercial ones from Aquadecor or Universal Rocks, but they are so EXPENSIVE! To get one from either of those places the background ends up costing more than the aquarium with lights, filter, substrate, and decor. I wanted to do one with more tree limbs, roots, etc. for a Central/South American cichlid set up. I would prefer one that is thinner as well. The only problem with making it thinner is working out a heater set up and filter intake/return.
It looks cool. It also looks like its not quite wide enough, like 1/2 inch or so on each side, was this intentional for the trim or was it shrinkage/ some other reason?
There is about 1/4" of a gap. This is to clear the rim when installing. It is pretty flush in person.
I figured the reason for the shorter sides is to fit past the top lip. Maybe trim a back corner and slip in diagonally the move back. You could also add the silicone the the glass, or both foam and glass.
Hey love the channel i have a question i set up a 40 gallon tank running 2 aqaclear 50 filters in it im 5 days in but im haveing microbubbles coming outnof the filters going into the water staying ot the surface ia that nornal for a new tank setup when i turn the airpump off it looks likenthere isbgreese on top too
Isn’t cement dangerous for fish?
Do I need to worry about brands of that foam or cement? Are there some that are toxic to fish?
Great Stuff Expanding Foam, and I would use regular cement.
How did you get the cups out ?
They kind of pop out. They may tear a little, but they will come off pretty easily.
With the concrete doesn't it leach lime thus lower pH?
I did this use concrete paint let it dry keep wet like u said 3 coats and color now its cracking in some area how do I fix it
Hi Ray. If it’s cracking, it may have cured too quickly. This has happened to me before as well. You can do some touch up with paint if it is out of the water and dry. You could also use a product called Drylok.
@@TazawaTanks thanks I'm going to buy some drylok now I haven't put it in water yet maybe next week once I get this to settle
How
long to let the drylok to settle before putting in water
If it were me, I’d wait at least 2-3 days, even though it is fully cured in 24 hours.
@@TazawaTanks does this stuff stay white or I'm buying the wrong one
Cut the whole top off the silicone tube before fitting the nozzle
Looks kinda short on the sides. Not quit wide enough to reach the edges.
6 mois et ca vas toute ce de de faire et ce remplir d'eau en arrière et devenir toxique . continue a vendre des chandails