Tammi's Turtle Tank update 3 - The Background

I'm trying to make this environment as realistic looking as possible. Great Stuff expanding insulation foam is great for carving out features and shapes. Once you get the desired shape, you can cover it in Silicone and put sand / rocks / coco fiber, or anything else you wish to, on it. I will be using a combination of rocks and coco fiber.
I started with a piece of fluorescent light diffusion. This is available at any Home Depot or Lowes.

From T's Turtle Tank Journal Pics

Next, I added the Great Stuff

From T's Turtle Tank Journal Pics

From T's Turtle Tank Journal Pics

After Letting it cure, I test fitted it.



In front of the background there will have to be a land area w/ a beach or bog so that the turtles can get out to bask. For this I'll be using Pine Boards covered in Silicone and Coco Fiber. I got the Pine Boards idea from Nat Tarbox.

Here is what I came up with...

From T's Turtle Tank Journal Pics

The perpendicular pieces of wood will ensure that the substrate doesn't get washed away in the bog area.

From T's Turtle Tank Journal Pics

Here's the background sanded away to fit the land mass.

From T's Turtle Tank Journal Pics

I should make a quick note: It is becoming increasingly difficult to keep all of this hidden from T. She is really wondering why I am spending so much time in the basement making crazy grinding noises...
Anyway, next post will be the hole in the tank for the bulkhead.