A post on grout, thinset, etc.: Happy Hillbilly post



I try to read up at a few fish forums where they seem to have foam backgrounds pretty well figured out. Some people prefer the beaded styrofoam while others prefer the expanded/extruded polystyrene.



Model railroaders prefer the pink or blue polystyrene, specifically the denser of the available products. I think the most dense polystyrene product is Foamular 250 which is one of the pink products.



These dense products seem to be preferred by those who like to do detailed carving.



Those who prefer the white, beaded styrofoam seem to be more the type to just put some general structure into their background and then use a torch or solvent or both to add some texture and detail. I guess they like the way it melts better, I don't know.



Lastly, one idea I saw used on a background was to simply texture/carve/melt styrofoam without a lot of detail and then paint with Drylok Masonry Waterproofer. I have to say that for a lot less work and mess it was a very nice background. However, it was in a large planted tank and water and plants are very forgiving to otherwise poor backgrounds.




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Currently keeping a small collection of various Gonyosoma. Both G. janseni and G. oxycephala.

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