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Hello,
I've looked around the net a bit and have been interested in trying to do a DYI background using the foam and concrete.
http://www.catfishheaven.net/day1.html (hope its ok to post the link 8))

Anyway my worries are how long would something like this last?... with a thin coat of mortar on the foam I would think it may flake off after a while and cause issues!
I think the look is great and has alot of potential to make hiding places for fish and equipment.
Anyone have any experience with these kind of backgrounds?
I also saw a few that used epoxy and mixed sand into it for a cool look.

Any advice would be great... still doing my research b4 I get back into fish keeping. (Thinkin Large Comm tank 300-600+gal w/DIY W/D filter setup this time. Amazon River.. silver dollars,tetras...etc.)Any fish suggestions would be cool to... add to the list for research ( experience was with larger fish eating fish.. Oscars,Gars,Knifes,.. etc... but where I live now doesnt alow me access to a fish store regularly for feeders.

Quote Rain " I have always believed that this hobby is the art of keeping water and that the fish are just something pretty to look at."

Although personally I never had a DIY background, I presume that it would take some years before any flaking may occur. In any case if flaking would occur it would not really effect the tank setup. On average I would say that an aquarist would change a setup on minimum at every 3 to 4 years which I think is enough for a DIY background.

there are quite a few other descriptions available on the net and most use epoxy and sand to cover in order to achieve a more 'natiral' look. Some of them are also older and have a few updates w/o reports about flaking or falling apart.

Here is another link with very detailed description
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_aquarium_background.php

and

http://www.thecichlidgallery.com/article_styrobackground.htm

The search function is your friend - DIY Background

Wow!

Those were really inspiring, I would love like to create one someday.