Epic Overhaul/Builds: 3D Backgrounds 300g-125g-120g

[DaveB]

Hurry up and get to your RO / tap drip so that I can observe and then copy you!

I'm actually leaning towards not doing RO, or at least not doing it for the downstairs tank. Too much plumbing in the wall that way...

 

[JK47]

Nice! But did you say you're adding 200lbs of sand to a 120g tank? Isn't that slightly overkill?? That'll be like 6" deep...

lol yeah. I have to move all the sand that's in the 300 to this tank while I'm working on it along with the fish. No reason to kill off any more bacteria than I have to. I'm a closet deep sand bed lover anyway.. although I am considering not adding the sand back in the 300g and going with black sand so who knows. Never owned black sand.

Last pic load and I am headed back out to the garage for more. It's starting to come together. Does the below give you guys and idea where I am going with this tank? Dark and with lots of stones. "stoned" << dam I'm on fire tonight!



These are the scrap pieces I got from DBN elevate the BG fit where they go. I think it will be easier to use this than the pond foam. I may use the foam to blend the two and make up space. Probably on the towers more than anything, we'll see..







Getting all my measurements put down to paper and planned out. Left side overflow tower is 10", same with the right.





The BG itself is 79". I need to carve a little off because the tank is 96" outside diameter. 95" inside. I am thinking of cutting down the right side since it is the largest.





The blocks on the bottom are 10" tall and I only need 4" so it's pretty forgiving. The pics above the BG is really high compared to where it will rest with everything cut.



The wood next to a 50 lbs sack of sand to give you an idea on size..

 

[studd muffin]

Awesome!

 

[JK47]

Awesome!

Thanks!

Hurry up and get to your RO / tap drip so that I can observe and then copy you!

I'm actually leaning towards not doing RO, or at least not doing it for the downstairs tank. Too much plumbing in the wall that way...

You and I are probably the only two trying to do this right now, but you know what I'm going for if I pull off the RO drip with the results I want.. My unicorn..

I picked up this little gem this afternoon... My first FSB.






It is a little bigger than I thought it would be. After half of the crap I've pulled off recently, there is no way I can't DIY something good out of this thing. It would seem a wee bit large for the 10 gallon lol.







I know they have been around a while and to the younger kids might be a bit outdated but I am really attracted to the lifegard modules lately, so simple and I have never owned one... It's like getting your first tattoo, you just have to nut up and do it or you should not be allowed to talk about them.. Let me sleep on it and I'll figure out a creative way to run this on a small tank.

 

[DaveB]

I've never looked into those before... interesting. I bet one could hide nicely inside one of your overflows

Question about the 120 and 300 background - how far out from the back of the tank do they just at their farthest points?

I really love how they look, and I love that they hide the equipment, but the reason I hesitate to get my own is that they'd occupy quite a bit of a 24" wide tank. I'd love it if there was one that was thinner but still hid the plumbing and heaters. Heck, the tank where I'd really like a nice rocky background is actually an 18" tank. Would you ever dream of doing something like that if swim space was at a premium?

 

[Natalie]

DaveB, there are plenty of 3D backgrounds that take up 3" or less of space in your tank. If you want to hide equipment behind them, then you can just install the background a few inches away from the back of the tank.

Here are some sites that can hopefully give you an idea of what's out there.
http://www.aquariumhabitats.com/backgrounds.html
http://www.notjustfish.com/3d-background.html
http://www.designsbynature.net/products-page/

 

[JK47]

I've never looked into those before... interesting. I bet one could hide nicely inside one of your overflows

Question about the 120 and 300 background - how far out from the back of the tank do they just at their farthest points?

I really love how they look, and I love that they hide the equipment, but the reason I hesitate to get my own is that they'd occupy quite a bit of a 24" wide tank. I'd love it if there was one that was thinner but still hid the plumbing and heaters. Heck, the tank where I'd really like a nice rocky background is actually an 18" tank. Would you ever dream of doing something like that if swim space was at a premium?

I like the 3D effect and depth of the thicker BG's. They make slimline BG's that take up little space inside and are cheaper, the thicker ones suit my taste better.

I only needed a 90 gallon so I bought a 120g to retain a 90 footprint. (x4 4" cichlids and x20 tetras) Side pics I just took for you Dave. The pockets you see in the black is air pockets in the pond foam. Strong stuff.







2.5" from the back trim on the sides and 9" from the back of the trim at it's thickest point. Keep in mind the overflow towers were 10"x6" and there were two in the tank. Comperable footprint loss IMO.






This is the next (the fourth) background to install after the 300g goes in. It's 6" at it's thickest point where the tree is and equipment is stashed behind it. I haven't even started that tank yet lol..

 

[arapaimag]

Fantastic thread.

I really thank you for all the great ideas, excellent pictures and advice

 

[Rockhoe14er]

great job jk47 it looks like your tanks are really coming along nicely.

 

[Muni]

Been a great read.

I need to get cracking on my tank. Maybe next time I'm in your area i can come check out your stuff. Looks amazing.