3D Background in Drilled Aquarium??

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Mikiblu30

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 4, 2010
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San Bernardino
Hi All,

I have a series of questions in regards to adding a 3D background to a drilled aquarium. I just purchased a 200 gallon custom tank (48x36x27). I purchased two JBJ Reaction 4 stage Canister filters EFU-45 as filtration for my tank. Orginally I planned to have no equipment inside the tank, heating was to be in-line etc. However I have decided to add Aqua Terra Malawi Rock as a 3D background and was faced with the question, can this be done with my original filtration set up I'd planned?

1.) Is it possible to add this 3D background to a drilled aquarium? If so, please explain how.
My guy at the LFS has explained that the configuration we had agreed on (4 holes drilled, 2 return holes with jacuzzi jets and 2 intake holes; all holes would be on the back glass of the tank, not the bottom.) would not work with the 3D background.

2.) Is there a way to install the background with the above configuration or in any configuration that will still allow me not to have to put equipment inside the tank.

any suggestions on possible configurations that will minimize or eliminate the amount of equipment inside the tank would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Guys!! :confused:
 
Why not have the returns plumbed into the background or do like R1 did and simply have the canister return be in the upper corner in front of the background but concealed via low lighting to that area and plants I believe so you will not know it is there. All of his other equipment was behind the background so you would be able to mimic him in that regard.
 
There is no reason why it would not work. You just need to modify the background so it will work with your setup. The background will need to allow water to get behind it and to the drains. The returns will need to put the water back in the tank in front of the background (for proper water circulation) so you will need to modify the background but is definitely doable. Well not sure if you can cut/modify those backgrounds? If not you could just make your own.

Put the return jets on the sides of the tank and cut a section at the top of the background to allow water to go over it like an overflow. If the background fits the tank tight you could seal it in place and create, basically an overflow box behind the background. I would suggest putting holes at the bottom of the background as well for better water flow behind the background.
 
earthstudent;4618020;4618020 said:
There is no reason why it would not work. You just need to modify the background so it will work with your setup. The background will need to allow water to get behind it and to the drains. The returns will need to put the water back in the tank in front of the background (for proper water circulation) so you will need to modify the background but is definitely doable. Well not sure if you can cut/modify those backgrounds? If not you could just make your own.

Put the return jets on the sides of the tank and cut a section at the top of the background to allow water to go over it like an overflow. If the background fits the tank tight you could seal it in place and create, basically an overflow box behind the background. I would suggest putting holes at the bottom of the background as well for better water flow behind the background.
Click to expand...
Thanks very much for the feedback; I've been going over several ideas and I too think it's possible. I'd been thinking of using the BG as an overflow and I think that seems like my best option. Hopefully next week I can begin on this project and start posting pics. Thanks again for the ideas..
 
soulpatch;4617237;4617237 said:
Why not have the returns plumbed into the background or do like R1 did and simply have the canister return be in the upper corner in front of the background but concealed via low lighting to that area and plants I believe so you will not know it is there. All of his other equipment was behind the background so you would be able to mimic him in that regard.
Click to expand...
Thanks Soulpatch; I hadn't though about using lighting to hide equipment, I did think about using some modular rocks to hide the returns but i'm still researching and weighing my options. Thanks for the input, much appreciated.
 
I really suggest you look into R1's thread. He left the water line below that of the background and instead drilled a few holes into the background. This acted as a suction to get all of the waste from the front to the area behind the background. What the canisters did not capture was easily sucked out.

Using it as an overflow would leave you with more waste in front of the bacground I would think
 
soulpatch;4619597; said:
I really suggest you look into R1's thread. He left the water line below that of the background and instead drilled a few holes into the background. This acted as a suction to get all of the waste from the front to the area behind the background. What the canisters did not capture was easily sucked out.
Click to expand...


Thats exactly what I did with mine, the BG goes about 1" above water line, I scooped out a channel in the BG to allow the intake pipe to go down to a hole put through the front in an inconspicous place, then have the outlet going through a scoop at the top front where my spray bar comes out, then ran spray bar across towards the front of the tank, attached to the glasshoods (to the top)with the suction cups. This is the best way to allow circulation. Also suggest you get an in line heater to simplfy things. Let me know if you want pics.
 
soulpatch;4619597;4619597 said:
I really suggest you look into R1's thread. He left the water line below that of the background and instead drilled a few holes into the background. This acted as a suction to get all of the waste from the front to the area behind the background. What the canisters did not capture was easily sucked out.

Using it as an overflow would leave you with more waste in front of the bacground I would think
Click to expand...
I checked out R1's thread...thanks!
 
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