Aquarium Background - Textured Limestone wall - 2x1 foot

thingiverse

A new background featuring an enhanced panel system (4 foot x 2 foot size crafted from 8 x 8 inch panels with precision alignment biscuits) can be found here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3564970 A "proof of concept" double-sided aquarium background made of 8 ~14.5 cm panels for a finished product suitable for any 60cmx30cm tank is demonstrated in this project. I recommend printing 3/4 of the panels for one layer, then gluing them together so you can get an accurate measurement and use your slicer to trim the final panel to fit precisely in your specific tank. Printing is straightforward, but assembly and alignment can be challenging; I've included the "background clips" file to help hold 2 panels in position while gluing securely. I recommend using a CA glue such as Gorilla brand super glue and baking soda to fill gaps and quicken the glue's curing time (watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9qqEbPxx0k for details on this technique [not my video]). Side 1: sharp detail canyon wall is designed for dramatic effect. Side 2: a rounded "negative" of side one, works as an earthen wall to create contrast. Future plans involve slicing backgrounds into enough 8 inch panels to fit a maximum size of a 48 inch X 24 inch tank (or you can just print enough panels to fill smaller tanks) and integrating alignment pins into each panel to make assembly easier. Designed with 2mm walls and meant to be printed with 100% infill and no supports; thin walls in design make the object unsuitable for significant re-sizing (anything less than a 50% change should work). PLA and PETG are both denser than freshwater so 100% infill will naturally sink to the bottom of the tank. On safety and longevity: Both PLA and PETG plastics are generally considered food safe but some of the dyes and additives might not be, so I use "natural" color to ensure safety. The decorations are painted with non-toxic acrylics and coated with plasti-dip (also generally considered aquarium safe) to seal the paint securely. I recommend printing in PETG long term since PLA is biodegradable and the presence of heat and water will cause it to break down (though from all accounts I've read, it will still last for over a year). Disclaimer: I'm a hobbyist, and everything I've stated is based on personal experience and extensive online research; I recommend doing your own research and consulting professionals whenever possible.