Lesson learned here-never fit 3D background by wedging it in..

[cichlidfish]

Reasons:

1. Background bowed. It's a $300 Designs by Nature.

2. Waste trapped behind the background. Even when you think it's completely flushed against the glass, waste still gets back there. This bucket shows how much I removed, which isn't even all of it. Anywhere else in the tank, the water is clear.

 

[xraycer]

So........you unknowingly made yourself an additional filter?

 

[cichlidfish]

So........you unknowingly made yourself an additional filter?

Lol yeah a biological. I couldn't figure out why my nitrates were so high. At first I thought I had too much sand. I removed almost a full 5 gallon bucket of sand and saw no difference in nitrates. Feel like I should have known better.

 

[xraycer]

Feel like I should have known better.

Well, you've only been a member here since 2005, give it a little time and the knowledge will come lol

 

[cichlidfish]

Well, you've only been a member here since 2005, give it a little time and the knowledge will come lol

This is my 1st time w/ 3D backgrounds. I've been keeping fish for 29 years now. Even experienced people make mistakes.
I felt it is important to let others know so they don't make the same mistake. Designs by nature says that wedging the background in is a way to install, but I don't recommend it.

 

[xraycer]

Even experienced people make mistakes.

Shhhh don't let the newbies know that

 

[cichlidfish]

Shhhh don't let the newbies know that

It's true, and they should know. A hobbie like this is an ongoing learning experience. Especially when you try new things, start keeping new to you species etc...
Also part of the fun in the hobby is the constant learning and challenges. If you knew everything it would get boring IMO.
When I tested my water I was getting 20ppm in nitrates. I kept them down to 10ppm by doing 2 75% water changes with cleaning the FX5 once a week. I bet now I can get the nitrates down less than 10ppm with the same routine.

 

[cichlidfish]

The only mistake newbies make is not listening to other people's advice or reading up on the subject. Some people just want to hear what they want to hear whether it works or not. Often you see people posting threads fishing for the answer they want to hear. When they don't get it, they get angry. Admitting what you do wrong only helps yourself and others.

 

[Gourami Swami]

My first go-around with a diy background I made, I had the same problem. I am planning on installing a 3-piece diy background I bought on ebay on one of my tanks soon, and will be silicon-sealing them in place.

 

[duanes]

I had the same problem with a DBN bacground.
One other problem I had, at first I tried to hold it in with rock, and C clamps, by the time I had the tank half filled, the background shot out of the tank like a breaching whale.
I was lucky it didn't trash the tank.
After a while I shaved enough of it off to make the back flush with the glass as opposed to all those caves and gaps (did shave off leave some holes that I filled in with "Great Stuff Pond".

I also didn't like how much space some of the protrusions took up.
Think if I were to do one again, I would get the thin line type