^ thanks Jeff! Good to know its available at TWS, I didn't know that. You should come over today, I am moving everything from the 300 to the holding tank. its BG day! Bring your PC and we can load pics!
Epic Overhaul/Builds: 3D Backgrounds 300g-125g-120g
- Thread starter JK47
- Start date
I have found that with sand it's all about how you pour the water in. I pour over a dinner plate, and that spreads it in gently and there's no clouding.
Of course, when I changed one of my tanks over from gravel to sand 2 years ago, I skipped the caution. I drained it 50%, scooped out all the gravel I could with a dustpan, then just poured in 75lbs of PFS. While my Aro and Uaru were still in the tank.
They didn't like that very much, but it worked out OK. I spent a good half hour simultaneously draining via one python and filling via another, just to turn the remaining water over as best I could, and then it was cloudy for a few hours, then it was crystal clear and I added all my eartheaters from their previous tanks.
Of course, when I changed one of my tanks over from gravel to sand 2 years ago, I skipped the caution. I drained it 50%, scooped out all the gravel I could with a dustpan, then just poured in 75lbs of PFS. While my Aro and Uaru were still in the tank.
They didn't like that very much, but it worked out OK. I spent a good half hour simultaneously draining via one python and filling via another, just to turn the remaining water over as best I could, and then it was cloudy for a few hours, then it was crystal clear and I added all my eartheaters from their previous tanks.
With the sand I was talking about, I wasn't gentle with it. And I poured another five pounds in once the water was in the tank. Still crystal clear.
Justin,
Your dedication to the "game" is absolutely admirable.
I just ordered my first "big" tank (125 gallon) and I hope to incorporate some of your ideas into my setup.
I wish you the best in your endeavors and am looking forward to seeing the finished products.
I hope you won't mind if I PM you a few questions.
Thanks and best wishes.
Your dedication to the "game" is absolutely admirable.
I just ordered my first "big" tank (125 gallon) and I hope to incorporate some of your ideas into my setup.
I wish you the best in your endeavors and am looking forward to seeing the finished products.
I hope you won't mind if I PM you a few questions.
Thanks and best wishes.
NightStorm;4618765; said:
Thank you Kevin, I didn't mind at all and again its good to meet you
GL on your tank. Start a thread, there are more than just me who would chime in and bounce ideas off one another 
Todays progress: I moved 2 FX5's, a 40watt UV, all the fish from the 300g along with all of the sand/wood to the 125g holding tank. The 300g is now empty and drying out. The wood is test fit, cut and the overflow towers seated in place. Late tonight or early tomorrow I am cutting the BG in 4 slices and siliconing the pieces back together. Friday I will anchor it down with pond foam so I can have it running by Monday. This weekend I am picking up approx 400 lbs in round river stone for all the tanks.. Dang I wish I could post pics... sorry guys
JK47;4619050; said:Thank you Kevin, I didn't mind at all and again its good to meet you
Todays progress: I moved 2 FX5's, a 40watt UV, all the fish from the 300g along with all of the sand/wood to the 125g holding tank. The 300g is now empty and drying out. The wood is test fit, cut and the overflow towers seated in place. Late tonight or early tomorrow I am cutting the BG in 4 slices and siliconing the pieces back together. Friday I will anchor it down with pond foam so I can have it running by Monday. This weekend I am picking up approx 400 lbs in round river stone for all the tanks.. Dang I wish I could post pics... sorry guys
wow, 400 lbs is a ton of rock, should look good
JK47;4619050; said:
Hey, thats a good idea, you've seen my setup, think it would look better with that over the Flourite?
This thread is a Godsend! I just read through the entire thing and you JK47 are a life saver!!!
I just purchased a 190gal custom tank (48x36x27) got a great deal for the tank and stand..I am no doubt adding a 3D BG and was looking for ideas when I found your thread.
I am having the tank drilled (was part of the purchase price) and had originally planned on not having any equipment inside the tank. I was going to use jacuzzi jets as my returns but now that I am going to be installing the 3D BG that presents a problem. I had thought about using a Slimline BG(undecided) along with the 3D background(Malawi Rock) to solve this issue but Im still throwing ideas around. Hopefully next week I will have some pics of the new tank and get some feedback and ideas..
Thanks so much for your attention to detail and creativity, this thread is my hero!!!!
I just purchased a 190gal custom tank (48x36x27) got a great deal for the tank and stand..I am no doubt adding a 3D BG and was looking for ideas when I found your thread.I am having the tank drilled (was part of the purchase price) and had originally planned on not having any equipment inside the tank. I was going to use jacuzzi jets as my returns but now that I am going to be installing the 3D BG that presents a problem. I had thought about using a Slimline BG(undecided) along with the 3D background(Malawi Rock) to solve this issue but Im still throwing ideas around. Hopefully next week I will have some pics of the new tank and get some feedback and ideas..
Thanks so much for your attention to detail and creativity, this thread is my hero!!!!
joecoulson;4619676; said:
I think it would. The plans for both the 300 & 120 is to have small to very large rounded stone to create shadows and depth. The sand is really good at creating depth because there are light and dark pieces so they create shadows in high and low spots. PFS looks the same color no matter the height. The stones will give depth, territory, open up the swimming area and all my geos spawn on smooth rocks. It'll be non-stop sexy time for my orange heads and all their crazyness
I finally bought the wood stump from DBN.net. Its the tall piece of wood and the shorter one. They have pics on their website is you want to see since I can't post pics. The tall piece is taller than my 30" 300 gallon
Mikiblu30;4620062; said:This thread is a Godsend! I just read through the entire thing and you JK47 are a life saver!!!
I am having the tank drilled (was part of the purchase price) and had originally planned on not having any equipment inside the tank. I was going to use jacuzzi jets as my returns but now that I am going to be installing the 3D BG that presents a problem. I had thought about using a Slimline BG(undecided) along with the 3D background(Malawi Rock) to solve this issue but Im still throwing ideas around. Hopefully next week I will have some pics of the new tank and get some feedback and ideas..
Thanks so much for your attention to detail and creativity, this thread is my hero!!!!
Congrats dude that's an awesome footprint!
I'm jealous!Glad you find the thread useful, when I was looking for info there was pics of the finished thing but no one had the nads to document the whole process and show the "flaws" and issues. I am hoping by doing 3 different installs will help others that search for it down the road.. A build thread on your tank is an absolute MUST!!! PM me when you started and posted up ok?
EDIT: one more thing bro, don't waste time with any other returns than Loc-Line. I used is a few pages ago. I have two lines on the 120 and two "dual" lines on the 300. They are flexable and if your no happy with the flow, nothing is permanent your can adjust it whenever. If your going to see any equipment in the tank, get something classy like black Loc-Line, not a green spraybar.
