ahh this crap is driving me nuts. i just cant see it working, well not in the long run anyway. what other easy ways are there to creat a similar effect? i want touse the faom so i can stick pots in it to have plants on the wall. the setup im imaging has to has this or i think it will look ****ty. and yes there was going to be water running down it. tinking i might have to just use the faom backround that came with the exo terra tank and just work around it.. such a shame.
My advice Sphag, is not to let it beat you so quick, i am still scared out of my pants starting a big job, that's why i practice doing little stuff first. I made a second ledge for the kids hermit crabs and the misses and her old chook were laughing there heads of at me because it looked a disgrace to start, but once it was carved, siliconed and coco peat on it, it turned out pretty good.. ( HA HA, laugh it up guys at the hermit crabs :lol: ) and they didn't laugh to hard once it was done, but it did look like a monstrosity to start with.
I checked out some of James_scott's pics like he said and they look amazing, but i bet they didn't look like when he started the project though, but the end result is well worth it.
What size tank are you looking at doing ? the tanks i am doing are 2x2x3ft and still trying to work it out and have been for months, the only thing i have is the false floor, because i am like you, i want it look the part, proper background, live plants, led lighting, misting system, all the bells and whistles.
I hear you about the pot plants though, every time i have tried to put them in they always end up taking up to much room and poking out too much, but i know it can be done because people are doing it smaller tanks than what i am working with. I have only researched, but James_scott knows what he is on about, the results speak for themselves. but what i have figured is this.
1) only your imagination is what will restrict you.
2) there is pro's and con's to any of the methods that you try.
3) some methods are more expensive than others.
4) it will all look like crap until it starts getting carved and taking shape.
5) and the only way to properly learn is to have a crack at it and learn by trial and error.
6) by the time your finished, no doubt you will be happier than a pig in ( well you know ) and it will look 10x better than any background you can buy.
That's just my thoughts on it anyway... And i am not sure if i can mention it and you might have already done it, but check out Dendroboard if you haven't already, i drool over some of that stuff they create. And there is heaps of tutorials and build threads on there.
AussieBen