HOW TO: Installing 3D Backgrounds / Tips & Techniques

joecoulson

Gambusia
MFK Member
Oct 13, 2010
835
0
16
GA
www.joecoulsonphotography.com
So, for those of you like me (hasty and impatient, unlike JK47) here is my take on how you can get this done in about a day. In my case, I was setting up a new tank but had existing filter and gravel and half of a full tank of cycled water. I started by measuring out the BG to fit my tank (65G reef style 36wx18dx25h) with the 36"x24" BG from DBN. My particular BG has about 3" total of depth at the deepest part and was perfect for my vision. I wanted depth with the pattern without taking too much precious real estate in the tank. I also wanted to hide all of my equipment (which as of tonight, is complete) I had a fluval 204 to start and just upgraded to the Eheim 2217, both had simular setups in this particular install and I will share how I made it work. I had to cut the BG but wanted the seam to be as irregular as possoble, I made a score in the back and then snapped the BG (yeah tat was a little nerve racking) as to get a nice irregular crack. I then scooped out a channel in the BG for the intake of my canister to hide. Poked a hole through the front in a shadowed area to allow the water into the intake. Then siliconed the thing together in the tank. I have found you do not need to silicone the sides unless you are creating an area in the back for extra equipment like JK47. It looks better if you just do the back, top and bottom. Then I let it cure for a day, filled and enjoyed!! Because I wanted to have a spray bar creating surface agitation, my only option was to secure the spray bar to the glass hood with the suction cups. Please let me know if you have any questions. I will now post pics:


^ clean seam of silicone where BG meets back of tank



^ during the curing of the silicone



^ original setup with the Fluval, would have kept this if it wasn't so underpowered for this tank and it's unhabitants



^ closeup of the hole, you really can't see this without a light directly ast it (like the flash), the wire is a temp probe, this was the intake from the Fluval and now has the Eheim one in there. It is a little shorter and you cannot even see it with a light in there.



^ this is how it looks with the Eheim setup, notice the white plastic. It is a piece of plastic from a ilk jug with a hole cut in it, this keeps the water from being pulled from up top down into the filter intake in that crevice. Notice the spray bar and how simple it is to hook up and still be inconspicuous.



^ better shot of the spray bar attached to the glass hood, the jets are pointing down at about 45 degrees into the tank



^ top view of the tank to show how little room the BG is taking up in my tank.



^ pic of the new Eheim and the in line heater, crucial in hiding the equipment without an extra area behind the BG



^ the end result (I have a little extra driftwood now and the Midas has a little more girth to him.



^ taken tonight with the light pulled forward a little for a more dramatic effect



^ Why we do what we do, he (to me at least) is one of the most perfect Midas/RD's I have ever seen, he deserves a palace.
 

JK47

Retired MFK Admin
MFK Member
Aug 4, 2008
11,112
3,478
2,555
Washington
Nice Joe! Your photo's make me so jealous.. Mine took so much time because I was trying to find creative ways to install/redoing every tank in my house. My overhaul thread is about redoing my hobby, that's why I made a "shortened" version here. Yours is exctly how it should go, thanks so much for adding! Hopefully we can get a few members that are willing to post pics of "how it works" like you did as well.

Lee Nutall (Nutty here on MFK) has the most inspirational tanks IMO. His are the reason I decided to redo all mine. He is an Aquaterra guy, I'll see if he would be kind enough to lift the hood on his setups as well. :popcorn:
 

Mikiblu30

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 4, 2010
135
0
0
San Bernardino
JK47;4674215;4674215 said:
Nice Joe! Your photo's make me so jealous.. Mine took so much time because I was trying to find creative ways to install/redoing every tank in my house. My overhaul thread is about redoing my hobby, that's why I made a "shortened" version here. Yours is exctly how it should go, thanks so much for adding! Hopefully we can get a few members that are willing to post pics of "how it works" like you did as well.

Lee Nutall (Nutty here on MFK) has the most inspirational tanks IMO. His are the reason I decided to redo all mine. He is an Aquaterra guy, I'll see if he would be kind enough to lift the hood on his setups as well. :popcorn:
Great job Justin, I thought it was great the first time! Even better the second...You too Joe!! Very nice of you to add you setup as well.
 

JK47

Retired MFK Admin
MFK Member
Aug 4, 2008
11,112
3,478
2,555
Washington
Pharaoh;4675071; said:
Great write up!
Thanks Bobby.

Update for you guys. Great Stuff "pond foam" sticks very well to glass. Unfortunatly it doesn't stick well to acrylic. Ther BG in the 300 gallon has risen at least an inch since install. The BG is very thick and buoyant. If the BG was as tall as the tank it would be no issue but me building up foam for height caused the foam to slowly pull apart. :(
 

nikonian

Gambusia
MFK Member
Oct 16, 2010
26
1
18
CA
Here are some information I have gathered on 3D backgrounds and silicone type to use while setting up my tank.


3D backgrounds and rock modules manufacture / vendors:

AquaTerra
http://www.notjustfish.com/3d-background.html
http://www.underwatereco.com/AquaTerra-3-D-Backgrounds-Backgrounds-sc-1022.html


Designs By Nature
http://www.designsbynature.net/products-page/


Pangea
http://www.aquariumhabitats.com/backgrounds.html


Universal Habitat
http://www.universalhabitat.com/

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+6635+19783&pcatid=19783



===================

Some really beautiful tanks with 3D background and rock modules:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNnxampVoe8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_zv4bld6tw

http://frontosa.com/viewtopic.php?t=4765

http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/2010.cgi?&op=showcase&category=1&vol=-1&id=15

===================

Installing 3D background

Aquaterra

http://www.aquaterra-intl.com/install.html

http://www.gillsnfins.ca/3d_install.php

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=184519&start=0



Designs By Nature

Installing 3D background in an established aquarium
http://www.designsbynature.net/2010...im-line-background-to-the-back-glass-of-tank/

Installing a Flat Backed Background on the Back of Aquarium
http://www.designsbynature.net/2010/08/02/installing-a-flat-background-on-the-back-of-aquarium/

Three Designs By Nature 3D background installation at the same time. Good reading
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=358278&highlight=bio+guard



Universal Rocks 3D Background installation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbeI5GD6nNs

=================================


Which silicone to use!

GE silicone I is aquarium safe
GE silicone II contain Bio-guard (all Silicone II contain Bio-guard no matter if its labeled or not) according to GE the Bio-guard chemicals will continue to leach into water for as long as 5 years. So please to not use any Silicone II type or you will loose your fishes.

Silicone curing time for a thin bead is 72 hours depending on humidity. So for installing back ground where little ventilation is available and usually a generous amount of silicone is used, i would allow at least 4-5 days before adding water. Silicone release ammonia and methanol during curing process so it will kill your fishes if you don't allow enough curing time

--------------------------------------

Here is my completed tank with Designs By Nature 3D background and its inhabitants






13 F1 Kapampa ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 inches
Diet: New Life Spectrum Thera+A .5mm sinking pellets (4-5 pinches through out the day)
Spirulina Brine Shrimp & Mysis Frozen Fish Food as a treat every other day
Water change 25-30% every 4-5 days. Straight tap h2o with no additives
 

Kolossus

Bronze Tier VIP
MFK Member
Dec 9, 2007
1,894
188
671
Where the heart is!!!
Fabulous work. Appreciate the step by step:thumbsup:
 

JK47

Retired MFK Admin
MFK Member
Aug 4, 2008
11,112
3,478
2,555
Washington
@ Kolossus thanks man! :D
@ nikonian fabulous info and collection of links my friend! Thank you very much for adding!
 

nikonian

Gambusia
MFK Member
Oct 16, 2010
26
1
18
CA
for salt water i'd use live rock. It looks much better plus a hosts of other benefits.
 
zoomed.com
hikariusa.com
aqaimports.com
Store