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You don't have to use concrete at all, skipping that whole leeching phase and ph issues. I sealed the foam with Drylok directly. I did one un-pigmented, thick "primer" coat of straight white Drylok. Then another layer of thick, dark-colored. After that it was various detail coats.
The background cost me about $35 in materials, most of which was spent on the Drylock and tinting. Its 48 in. x 20in., but I only needed 1/4 to 1/3 of a gallon of Drylock to do all my coats. I barely used any tint coloring at all. I have enough materials to do several more backgrounds for other tanks.
Its absolutely true though that you better like what you made, because its not easy to change it one it is silicone'd in! Everyone that has seen my DIY background in person has loved it. Are there some things I wish I would have done differently? Of course, but I am definitely glad I did it.
$2 - 1 sheet of 2 inch thick blue foam, purchased at Habitat ReStore (you might be able to get some free at a local furniture store
$4 x 2 - Concrete Tint
$22 - White drylok
$5 - Silicone
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The background cost me about $35 in materials, most of which was spent on the Drylock and tinting. Its 48 in. x 20in., but I only needed 1/4 to 1/3 of a gallon of Drylock to do all my coats. I barely used any tint coloring at all. I have enough materials to do several more backgrounds for other tanks.
Its absolutely true though that you better like what you made, because its not easy to change it one it is silicone'd in! Everyone that has seen my DIY background in person has loved it. Are there some things I wish I would have done differently? Of course, but I am definitely glad I did it.
$2 - 1 sheet of 2 inch thick blue foam, purchased at Habitat ReStore (you might be able to get some free at a local furniture store
$4 x 2 - Concrete Tint
$22 - White drylok
$5 - Silicone
