My 72 Gallon Bowtank 3D Background

[rrmedicx]

Well, I purchased a 3D AquaTerra Tanganyika Background (Grey) about 1 month ago and during this last month I have been spending my time gathering parts necessary to put it all together.

I bought and sold filters to make this come together. I had a Fluval 405 and a Fluval 205 that I have since sold to purchase a Fluval FX5 (which I am well aware is more than enough for this puny 72 gallon tank, but if things work out, I may be upgrading down the line to a larger tank anyway. So better go bigger now. Along the lines of what I wanted that differs from other builds, I have planned to insert the intake through the background exposing the intake from the front, which I don't think will be a big deal, because it will be mounted low and possibly shielded from view by some plants. I just am not comfortable with the thought of having the intake behind the background. My plan is eventually to have Discus fish in this tank, so I cannot take chances on having a dirty tank in front of the 3D background. I do not believe that even with the FX5 that the intake hidden behind a solid structure will have anywhere near the same benefit as it would if it were where it belonged, which is in the main tank.

I am including several picks of the progress as I go.

Here is the basic layout:

And a profile view of my plan:

This is the background I purchased (stock photo)

I'm sure everyone is familiar with this background.

Here is the finish line.

Gotta keep my eye on the prize (Discus fish). I have been very patient thus far and i had originally populated my 72 gallon bow tank in March 2011 with several various fish. A pair of Orange jelly bean parrots, 7 Angel Fish, and about 4 cichlids. I have since moved them to my spare 10 gallon tank for a temporary home until I can build my 72 gallon 3D background and have it set-up with plants and proper lighting.

To start the project I had decided to rather than split the 3D background, remove the top trim piece and insert it as 1 piece. This required the usual razor, kitchen knife scraping technique as well as a whole lot of patience.

2 hours ;later and Success.

I placed the 3D background in place and had to cut about 2 inches from the side for it to simply fit in the tank. Then I had to trim off some of the top edge of the 3D BG to clear the glass top pieces as well as the center brace.

I also had to cut the corners to clear the top trim pieces:

This is the silicone I chose to use:

These are the foam pieces which I will be placing in front of the screen allowing water to pass from in front of the background to the back.

 

[rrmedicx]

These are the grill that will allow water to pass from the front of the tank to behind the BG:

Demonstrating the foam pads that will go in front of the grills:

After cutting a larger than needed cut-out for the grill, I fit them in place:

Leaving a little room behind for silicone to lock them in place:

Demo of what the grill will look like when completed:

And in the actual tank:

This is the water pump I am using in the back of the tank for circulation purposes only:

Purpose of the water pump again is simply to keep the water moving and not allow it to settle behind the background. It will not serve as a filter in any way, shape or form.

It will discharge the behind BG water to the front of the tank so it can be processed by the FX5:

Here is the nozzle of the water pump as viewed from above:

These will be the output nozzle's from the FX5:

I split the 1inch hose output into 2 - 1/2 inch nozzles.:

From a frontal view:

 

[rrmedicx]

What the grills look like from behind, once in place and BG in position:

I also didn't want to forget the 2 airstones I wanted to install. I drilled 2 holes in the BG and passed the air hoses through so they can remain hidden from sight.

Here are the hoses as I ran them up the back of the tank:

To conserve on even more space, I removed the front cover of the water pump which will allow me to push the BG even further back to provide more free space in the front half of the tank:

After siliconing the BG in place:

Once I was happy with the position of the BG I locked down the Top Trim piece and siliconed that back in place too:

I used some random cut up blocks of 2x4 to help keep the BG in place while it cured:

Got the basic plumbing all in place:

The output nozzles all in place:

The intake and airstones in place:

 

[rrmedicx]

An aerial view of the entire set-up after being siliconed in place:

Now I am simply allowing the silicone ample time to cure (24 hours) before adding water to remove some of the residual dust and crumbs of foam that chipped off from the BG install.
Once I can get all of that crud out, I will fill and drain the tank at least 2 times before transferring my plants and starter fish over.
After another couple of weeks, I will then consider switching up and securing my Discus fish to complete my dream.

 

[Younglin]

Looks pretty bad ass. I'm sure it will be a great discus tank.

 

[cebosound]

Very cool set up! I love the back ground.

What will you be using for substrate?

 

[Younglin]

What will you be using for substrate?

I was curious about this as well.

 

[rrmedicx]

The same Blue substrate from my previous set-up. I believe it would be called 1/8" gravel.
And I am planning on planting the tank as well. All I have right now is some Amazon Swords (4 plants). But I would be open to suggestions to compliment an Amazonian theme tank.

 

[rrmedicx]

Here you go. Some pics of the gravel I was referring to:

 

[Younglin]

Please don't use that.