discussion Fish Tank Filled With Water Effects Resin?

[Adrian "Marvel" Reynolds]

I'm not one to think small but think I may have stumped myself.


I'm lucky enough to have two Revell Enterprise Into Darkness Kits, so I was thinking about the 2nd film where the ship is on the ocean bed and thought, would it be possible?


The fish tank would have to be at least one foot across, 2 foot long and around one and a half feet deep, now my questions to those that use the Water effects stuff. Could I fill a tank of this size without leaving join marks if it had to be done in stages?


I'd appreciate any help in this area


Adrian

 

[Guest]

Obviously you'd need a whacking amount of the water effects stuff Adrian which isn't cheap! Plus the stuff is added slowly, so this could be a project that takes a long time to finish.


I haven't seen the film for a while, so the scene isn't in my head atm, but as an option, could you look lining the case with layers of clear thin plastic, each with an underwater effect painted on with clear/semi-clear paints.


That would (hopefully) give an underwater look. Combine that with a similarity done ocean surface?

 

[Adrian "Marvel" Reynolds]

So, is it possible to make a huge lot in one go, or has it got to be in small batches. I'm thinking if its small batches there are bound to be join lines as layers are added.


Or what about a large container of silicon, is there a chance of getting this?


I'm planning to have the LED set inside it as well, be interested to know if they would react with the silicon.


Adrian

 

[papa 695]

I don't think it would be possible to do it in one go Adrian with that amount of resin the heat would just melt the plastic ( ask Polux about his Tilly ) and you would get joint lines if you use smaller amounts and the greater risk of getting air bubbles.


As for the silicon it would take ages to cure and wouldn't be that transparent with that thickness even with the lights if they worked at all.

 

[Gern]

Let's see now.


1ft x 2ft x 1.5ft is roughly 30cm x 60cm x 45cm which is 81000 cu cm (81 litres) or 81000ml.


First place I spotted on the net (I don't think John keeps it) has the deluxe models Scenic Water at £9.50 per 125 ml


Cost of Scenic Water = 81000/125 x £9.50 = £6156


I know you have to subtract the volume of the Enterprise, but that's a LOT of money for a dio Ade!


Wouldn't it be possible to put a clear top in the tank just above the kit and paint the top and sides with transparent paints, gradually getting darker as you go lower?

 

[Adrian "Marvel" Reynolds]

Let's see now.
1ft x 2ft x 1.5ft is roughly 30cm x 60cm x 45cm which is 81000 cu cm (81 litres) or 81000ml.


First place I spotted on the net (I don't think John keeps it) has the deluxe models Scenic Water at £9.50 per 125 ml


Cost of Scenic Water = 81000/125 x £9.50 = £6156


I know you have to subtract the volume of the Enterprise, but that's a LOT of money for a dio Ade!


Wouldn't it be possible to put a clear top in the tank just above the kit and paint the top and sides with transparent paints, gradually getting darker as you go lower?

Yeah may be possible to do a top and add sides like you said, I'll hang onto £6k for now


Adrian

 

[Guest]

I think you would be looking at resin rather than water effects. Search YouTube as resin blocks like this can be, has to be, done in layers. As said above, the curing heat of a block of resin that size would distort.


However, think outside the box. Does it have to be in resin or whatever? I am sure I have seen wreck dioramas that are done in clear boxes with painted backgrounds and lighting to achieve the underwater effects.

 

[Guest]

Take a look at this one

 

[Guest]

Fill the tank with water! (Need waterproof paints.) Or just leave it empty and include a sea floor diorama with a shell or two (but please, not a mermaid.)

 

[spanner570]

Ade, I don't think the resin in the quantity you are considering would be practical - let alone cost effective! Silicone is a def. no, no.


So, as no surface 'water' is required why a clear glass fish tank? The surrounding area where your model would sit would be murky and not much visibility all around.


So why not a simple box of some sort? Leave three sides on it and simply paint depth on these three sides. Starting with a light blue/green near the surface and darken the shade as the water gets deeper. This will give the illusion of depth. Add a bit of rough stuff for the sea bed, plonk on the model....job done!


You can alter the light penetrating the depth by cutting holes to suit in the box top (or cut it off altogether)


I did this sort of thing with my sunken submarine dios, Might be worth a wander over and take a look, and could be better than me trying to explain.....


I hope the above is of use, and being straight forward, might be worth considering.


Ron