Backgrounds??

[Filardimarg2]

I would like to make a background for my rankins viv.
I want to do the polystyrene sort, that i cut to make the shape i want. Can anyone tell me where the thread is that tells me how to do it, i'm sure there is one somewhere.
If not, can someone tell me how i do it please. I know i have to cover it in grouting then seal that, but what do i seal it with??
Thanks for any help.

[Rob]

basicaly, cut the poly to the shapes you want and stick them together, then cover in grout, start off with thin runny layers to make sure you fill the gaps then finnish it with thicker grout to add texture.

once it is dry, paint it to your desired colours, you can either use acrylic paint to waterproof it or varnish it after the normal paint has dried.

hope this helps

[Tom]

polystyrene is the worst stuff in the world..

crickets eat eat, reptile pooh on it, food hides behind it, its alot of work..

why not use something like a Paste/ Putty, and mould it, be stronger, and easier to clean.

[Rob]

once its covered in grout and paint, none of that is an issue Tom.

[Tom]

sorry rob,we must have posted at the same time, lol

[Rob]

its ok i'll let you off this time but next time you'll get an infraction lol

[jo x]

when i did my viv i used 5 layes of grout letting each one dry in between coatsstarting off with thin layers then buildng up to thicker ones, i then sealed it using yacht varnish pva glue can be used but u might need 3 or 4 coats. if its for awater dragon or something simler you may be better off useing G4 to seal it! works better than any other sealer and is easy to clean.To add texture you can also mix the sand in with the varnish top coat.

[Firedragon]

do it as above here are some pics of how mine turned out, any more advice give us a shout

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk12/firedragons_2008/P1010013-2.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk12/firedragons_2008/P1010021-4.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk12/firedragons_2008/P1010021-4.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk12/firedragons_2008/P1010022-3.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk12/firedragons_2008/P1010023-2.jpg

Tony

[Firedragon]

sorry for duplicate pics on 2nd and third should have been this one

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk12/firedragons_2008/P1010014-1.jpg

[iggylover]

wow that background looks amazing, i think i would mess it up and would not turn up like that

[Filardimarg2]

Oh!! WOW!! they are wonderful, i would love those in my rankins vivs.

[Firedragon]

wow that background looks amazing, i think i would mess it up and would not turn up like that

Anyone can do it if u take ur time and got an idea of how u want it too look