3d background recommendations? and pictures

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robfreitas345

Exodon
MFK Member
Jan 31, 2013
34
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23
rochester ma
hi everyone, just waiting on a new 72 gallon tank to come in that i ordered and i was thinking about getting a thin internal 3d background for it. any recommendations for companies, input or advice? ive never really had backgrounds other then paint so just looking to do something different. rough dimensions are 36x18x25 and its going to be a african cichlid tank with sand.
 
Aquadecor is based on Serbia and by the most superior for real backgrounds, but universal rocks is stateside and does a decent job too. Both make slim versions so you can make out tank space. If you don’t want to spend the money on either you can always try your own hand with foam from an arts and craft store, just pace sure you’re using aquatic safe paints and such. Goodluck!
 
Aquadecor is based on Serbia and by the most superior for real backgrounds, but universal rocks is stateside and does a decent job too. Both make slim versions so you can make out tank space. If you don’t want to spend the money on either you can always try your own hand with foam from an arts and craft store, just pace sure you’re using aquatic safe paints and such. Goodluck!
thanks for the reply, well thats good to know, i was actually checking out Universal rocks this morning and really liked them, its nice to hear from someone about there quality. ill probably be ordering one from them as soon as my tank comes in and i can get some exact measurements. thanks again
 
oh wow nice, both of those tanks are beautiful. i think i was actually looking at that exact background from Universal rock this morning that you have in your oak trimed tank. how is that background to deal with on a day to day basis, do you have to take it out alot for cleaning because waist and stuff growing on it? and does it stay pretty secure with those tank clips they sell?
 
I have had it for several years and have never taken it out. The bottom of the background is held tight by the substrate while the top is wedged against the lip of the frame. I do not use the clips and have never had a problem. Occasionally I will pull it away from the back glass and use a small tube to siphon waste that has become trapped behind it. If I had to do it over again I would silicone it to the back of the tank prior to adding any water.
You will be surprised how rigid it is when it comes in. It definitely took some work to get it just right especially with the cross brace on the tank. But the same thing that made it a little difficult to get in also holds it in place.
 
I have had it for several years and have never taken it out. The bottom of the background is held tight by the substrate while the top is wedged against the lip of the frame. I do not use the clips and have never had a problem. Occasionally I will pull it away from the back glass and use a small tube to siphon waste that has become trapped behind it. If I had to do it over again I would silicone it to the back of the tank prior to adding any water.
You will be surprised how rigid it is when it comes in. It definitely took some work to get it just right especially with the cross brace on the tank. But the same thing that made it a little difficult to get in also holds it in place.
well thats good to hear, thanks for your help i appreciate it, i will probably be ordering one once my tank comes in. thats another reason i want to have to tank before i order one is the cross brace. i dont think ive ever seen a 36 inch tank with a croas brace but seeing as it was a expensive custom tank im not sure if there will be one, i forgot to ask when ordering it haha
 
You can cut the background (even the thick ones), and after being installed, fuse them together with "Great Stuff" pond foam.
View attachment 1447846
1611007406562.png
In the photo above the tank hasn't been filled yet, and the "Great Stuff" was newly applied so sticks out like a sore thumb.
After its been in the tank a while, and a little algae grows on it looks more natural.
The shots below were from decades ago, mid or late 90s.
1611007610026.png
If I were to get one again, I'd get the thin one, the above type was quite think, and took up a lot of space, I has to trim inches off the back, so it wouldn't take up so much tank space.
1611007805917.png
1611007913343.png
 
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