DIY 3D BACKGROUND for My Turtle Tank - Step by Step

LLYT here! In this video I build a 3D background for my turtle's 210 gallon tank! The process is straight forward and relatively cheap for the result.
Checkout the links below to see the products I use in my setup. I am an Amazon Affiliate and receive a tiny commission if you use the amazon product links at no extra cost to you. Thank you in advance ;)
Materials:
Foam Board (similar): amzn.to/3LJxn7Z
Foam Board (similar): amzn.to/3rybaD4
Sealant/Paint: Drylok (white and gray): amzn.to/3RHn2x7 and amzn.to/3LKiJ0p
Tints (multiple colors): amzn.to/3t7D0q0
Paints (similar): amzn.to/3RGK8Us
Silicone Caulk: amzn.to/3RAHr74
Intake Screen (egg crate): amzn.to/3F68X4F
Tools:
Utility knife: amzn.to/3td3IOe
Hot Glue Gun: amzn.to/3td3IOe
Caulking Gun: amzn.to/45fYY7N
Brushes: amzn.to/3RHDzB1
Optional but recommended: oscillating multi-tool: amzn.to/3td3IOe
The rest of my setup:
210 Gallon Tank & Stand - www.petsmart.com/fish/tanks-a...
Basking Platform - TB5000 modified to fit a 24 inch wide tank: seet TB5000 here:
longliveyourturtle.etsy.com
- Other Custom DIY Builds
--- • Part 1: How to Build a...
Filters:
2X Fluval FX6 - amzn.to/3BINCfN
Lights:
Lamp Fixture - amzn.to/3CtwSt2
Basking Bulb (Mrecury Vapor 100 Watt): amzn.to/3MyxIco
2X Water Heater - amzn.to/3F0fJJf
Substrate/Decorations:
Floating Log - amzn.to/3Hcejhb
Root - Petsmart
Turtle Proof Plants: • TURTLE PROOF SCAPING! ...
Plant: amzn.to/46dAOft
Plant: amzn.to/3PY5n2R
Plant: amzn.to/3ryc3LU
Driftwood: amzn.to/3LEPKL5
Food:
Turtle Food - amzn.to/3AdqiYl
Turtle Snack - Cuttlebone - amzn.to/3a64C5F
Utility:
Timed Power Strip - amzn.to/3ez1Cyc
Water Conditioner - amzn.to/3exuVRQ
Solarmeter 6.5R: amzn.to/3Mx1RsH

[@angieg4811]

Pretty cool. My yellow eared female sliders would find a way of tear into that .😂

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

Its more rugged than it looks! The drylok is a durable sealant and chunks cant be taken out easily. I will post about how durable it ends up being next year!

[@zazzzyms]

Well done, Picasso!

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

Thank you! :)

[@nathanhenry8537]

Really excellent job! It looks incredible and the video is great too! It looks like a habitat from the zoo!

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

Thank you so much! It was a fun project!

[@BuzzKora]

That looks wonderful, prob your best dyi project to date! Im just concerned they wont slowly rip appart the build and ingest particles over time due to the nature of the material used. In any case you should be proud of this one!! Makes me want to do the same ahah

[@nathanhenry8537]

I bet the dry lock makes it hard to chew into

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

Thank you so much! It was a fun project! While the drylok is "soft" it cures onto the styrofoam and is very durable and can take some rough housing. I'll post a video in the future regarding how it holds up.

[@wildwheelsdarin]

All in, how much did you spend on materials? Also, your time... how many hours would you say? Looks just as good as those you can buy!

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

Great question. Probably around 8 to10 hours total. Cost was about $200, half of that being the Drylok. This was for a big tank too!

[@randomrazr]

is the paint safe for turtles

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

Once the drylok cures it is an inert sealant, so yes!

[@cynthiarivers5582]

I would give anything just for clear water

[@LongLiveYourTurtle]

Fluval FX6 will help you with that ;)