You were beginning to worry me with no updates, I thought maybe you fell in the 300 and couldn't get out. 
Epic Overhaul/Builds: 3D Backgrounds 300g-125g-120g
- Thread starter JK47
- Start date
Great update! I'm glad you thought of the zip ties, it seems they worked well.
I was wondering, are you planning on painting the overflows or covering them with foam or anything? I'm only asking because I saw one other tank that had a 3D background with overflows at each end, and they were really noticeable. I wonder if even a coat of gray paint would make them a little more subtle.
That mangrove background is stunning, by the way. I can't get over the detail on it, and it's going to look AMAZING in an established tank!
I was wondering, are you planning on painting the overflows or covering them with foam or anything? I'm only asking because I saw one other tank that had a 3D background with overflows at each end, and they were really noticeable. I wonder if even a coat of gray paint would make them a little more subtle.
That mangrove background is stunning, by the way. I can't get over the detail on it, and it's going to look AMAZING in an established tank!
Cocobongo;4595204; said:
shyro77;4595169; said:You were beginning to worry me with no updates, I thought maybe you fell in the 300 and couldn't get out.
Thanks guys, I'm still around I've just been tending to some family matters. I really wanted to put the mangrove BG in this weekend but I couldn't.
I'm ready to go now. All I am weaiting for is the black silicone to come in at my LFS. I ordered it Saturday. I cut the molds I made down and trned them into legs so I cold see and play with the height in front of the tank.
FTS it is a little too low IMO. It's only elevated 1.5".
Based on the durso here, I am not sure what the water level will be when I am done with the sump. It's a crap shoot at this point..
Measurement from the front of the tank.
I cut up a few board length to use as shims oto elavate the BG. I added one more set and decided to meet in the middlde. 3" down, 3" up.
This is some of the uncut pond foam in the 120g. I think it looks great against the grey colored tree. The mangrove BG is even darker so I will not be using any of the foam ideas, just steady hands and pond foam...
This is where I settled on. Just above the substrate and just below the water level. From a picture perpective is may seem like a lot but from a viewing perspective it's nothing.. If it were not for this thread, you would not be able to see where BG's have been getting cut.
ps - all my pics ^^^ are high rez, click to zoom in if you need to.
Natalie;4595229; said:
Really?
Can you post the pic? That is/has been a big concern for me. The only thing I was planning on doing was blending the foam from the edge of the BG onto the overflow. I kind of like (to a degree) seeing form and function meet one another. That's why I drilled the 120g selvas BG and ran the loc-line straight through, I could have hidden it or went over the top. I didn't because where I placed the returns are perfect for getting the flow just right. The perfect flow will keeps the large tetra school in a tight group/adding more depth to the tank without taking up space. People overlook that side of things IMO and just get it to fit..
Natalie;4595469; said:
Thank you for that, you as well.
BTW - thanks for the inspiration on the last tank
Your going to have to help me track down habitat pics that line up well with the DBN "river stump" BG if your down..?JK47;4595519; said:Thank you for that, you as well.
BTW - thanks for the inspiration on the last tank
Haha sounds like a fun project, I'm on it!
Natalie;4595564; said:
YAY! Thanks for the help!
This is where I left off to get you going. At the end of this thread I am going to put the inspirational pics and then the finished product.Inspiration on the 10 gallon. (root wood covered in moss flooded stream)
Inspiration on the 120 gallon. (flooded blackwater drainage, I would live here if I could
)
Inspiration on the 300 gallon. (the bright plants hanging into the dark water's edge are exceptional)
I was planning on something in this direction to get you going. I have not decided anything so it's wide open. Tank specs: Being replaced with a 6'x2', sand, rocks, the only plants I can do is anubias, swords, val, onion plants and anything floating. I have a breeding colony of 10 orange head geos. Open to additional stock suggestions as well. This tank is for my wife BTW and in my dining room.
EDIT: Here is a pic of the 125 gallon as it sits today (after I flooded it one night lol..) The wood will be gone. I hate this tank!!
I cant wait to see these when they are finally done, at the aquarium all of the amazon tanks have 3D backgrounds and they really help in making the exhibits seem more natural, I am sure the effect on yours will be the same
