My First PDF Build Log

[deranged chipmunk]

I mean, the final product looks pretty good, but it just creates a giant mess. I'll be getting the other insulation to try. Although it is about 10x as much as I paid for this cheap styro! I'm sure that won't be my last mistake. I am having a lot of fun, though!

Fun is the important thing!!

[DigitalPunk]

Ouch bummer. Lesson well learned it seems Thanks for learning this and sharing it with us all!

[buggerdtp]

Back in business! I got some of the rigid foam insulation and ditched the Styrofoam. This stuff will hold up much better and makes much less of a mess. I cut the pieces to the relative size I want, GS'd in the ledge I wanted and now it is drying. Once dried, I'll work on wire brushing the foam to carve out a nice background. I think I'm only going to do the back of the tank and one side, leaving the front and the other side open for viewing.



I picked up this 1" rigid foam insulation from Home Depot in a 2'x2' slab for ~$5.50. They had their 1" 4'x8' sheets for $18.00, however this wouldn't fit in my car and I surely don't need that much insulation (yet). I went with 1" over the 2" used in the video because I only have 12" depth in my tank and want as much ground space as possible.

I've heard that this type of foam can leach harmful chemicals into the environment and cause endocrine system problems. I have yet to actually see anyone who has had a problem with this (if you have, please reply!), and since I'll be covering the entire thing in Titebond III mix, I can't imagine there will be any problem.

More when I get the carving done!