The use of an aquarium as an unusual and original piece of furniture also presupposes non-standard decoration. But the decorations for aquariums on sale are not encouraging either in quality or in price. If you want to create a truly unique underwater world in your apartment, you have to do it yourself. Fortunately, making your own aquarium decorations is a snap.
It is necessary
- - polyurethane foam;
- - polyethylene film;
- - silicone sealant for aquariums;
- - plastic flower pot;
- - fine gravel;
- - cement;
- - ready-made mangrove or mopani driftwood;
- - thin line;
- - Javanese moss.
Instructions
Step 1
Choose ready-made driftwood with long and thin parts to create decorations so that they can imitate the branches of underwater trees.
Step 2
Lay the plastic on a flat surface. Place the pot upside down and place a plastic bag over it. Place the driftwood next to it. Lock it in a tilted position to make it look like a real tree. To do this, you can substitute some kind of high support under the upper part, for example, a glass jar. The bottom end of the driftwood should be close to the pot.
Step 3
Shake the can of polyurethane foam and zap the entire pot and bottom of the driftwood. The resulting structure should look like a rock with a cave and a bizarrely curved tree.
Step 4
Do not remove the snags from under the driftwood until the foam is completely dry. Otherwise, the driftwood will fall under its own weight and the structure will collapse. It can take about a day for the foam to fully harden.
Step 5
When the foam is completely firm, turn the structure over and remove the flower pot and bag. The foam does not adhere well to the film, so you can do it easily.
Step 6
Use a sharp knife to cut the entrance and exit from the grotto formed after removing the pot. Try to keep the entrance and exit not opposite each other. From an aesthetic point of view, this is not very beautiful.
Step 7
Turn the structure back over and remove with a knife any excess nodules or unsuccessfully frozen pieces of foam. Strive for the maximum resemblance to a real rock.
Step 8
Make one or two indentations in the rock surface for planting aquatic plants.
Step 9
Dilute the cement with water in any suitable container. In consistency, it should resemble sour cream. Use a brush to apply the grout to the "rock" surface. The first layer will be thin, cover the entire structure with foil to keep moisture. This will allow the grout to be absorbed into the foam surface.
Step 10
When the first layer is dry, apply the solution twice more, making sure to dry each layer. Paint over the foam completely. Don't forget about the inside of the mainsail and the underside.
Step 11
After the cement is completely dry, cover the rock with fine gravel. To do this, simply apply a thin layer of aquarium silicone sealant and then sprinkle a thin layer of gravel on top. Do not apply gravel to the entire surface, leave some parts and rock slopes clean. This will make the scenery more natural.
Step 12
Use a very thin fishing line to fasten the Javanese moss in two or three places on the side of the cliff and at the ends of the "branches". This aquarium plant does not need soil and grows very well. After a while, your décor will be covered in bright green threads of Javanese moss.
Step 13
Install the structure in the aquarium. If it is too light and floats, glue it to a clean, dry bottom with aquarium sealant. Pour soil into the prepared recesses and plant small plants, for example, dwarf varieties of Anubias, Cryptocorynes or Lagenandra. Fill with water and let it settle.
