Pre-made out of the box Backgrounds

[Egon]

I have a lot of PM's asking me about my backgrounds. They are all store bought. I have ZERO artistic ability. I have a few different types and I will cover the differences, what they are and so on, set up procedures, lots of pictures so you can see for yourselves and answer as many questions as possible.

This is not DIY as you can see below. These are some of my Designs by Nature "slimline" backgrounds. I have not installed them yet. There's two different colors for two different tanks. I kinda like the black better? We will see how they look in the aquarium. They are 31" high by 20" long. They are designed to extend as long as you want by layering the backgrounds. I was thinking about going higher for the guys with the deep tanks. That's why I was holding one background above two other backgrounds.

 

[JK47]

My kind of thread! what are the new plans? I am planning out my 600 gallon right now and will be watching this thread close. How do you like the slimline that connect? Do they connect seamlessly (looking up close)? That was my plan for the new tank so I am VERY curious what you do with these. I have a slimline from DBN in my 10 gallon but nothing that connects so...

 

[Egon]

My kind of thread! what are the new plans? I am planning out my 600 gallon right now and will be watching this thread close. How do you like the slimline that connect? Do they connect seamlessly (looking up close)? That was my plan for the new tank so I am VERY curious what you do with these. I have a slimline from DBN in my 10 gallon but nothing that connects so...

My 450 has Mesa rock wall slim line from Aqua Terra. It's the tank in the pics above. They work great and are absolutely seamless, but only 24" high! My 450 in 30" so I had to build up a base and the background goes to about an inch below the surface

I have a 210 and a 180 I'm going to background in the next few weeks. I will keep this thread updated.

 

[JK47]

My 450 has Mesa rock wall slim line from Aqua Terra. It's the tank in the pics above. They work great and are absolutely seamless, but only 24" high! My 450 in 30" so I had to build up a base and the background goes to about an inch below the surface

I have a 210 and a 180 I'm going to background in the next few weeks. I will keep this thread updated.

Looking forward to the updates. My 300 gallon is 30" tall as well and I also had to build up a base too and would redo it if I could (and will soon). I used pond foam and sand to hide the base and top. DBN now makes the same size in 36" tall but still not 96" wide, which is an issue for me. The slimlines are the next best option IMO. 600 gallon = 96"x48"x30" and the BG (mangrove model) is 78"x36" so I have some custom work to do too if I go that route. Any close up pics of the DBN slimlines where they connect?

 

[Egon]

Here's some pictures of Pangea "Amazonas I" This is 78" by 23" most likely for the European market but will fit great in a 6'X2'X2" long 180. It will even fit in a 125 but takes up a lot of room.

 

[Egon]

600 gallon = 96"x48"x30" and the BG (mangrove model) is 78"x36" so I have some custom work to do too if I go that route. Any close up pics of the DBN slimlines where they connect?

The DBN do not connect they overlap. Above (the first set of pics) is a picture looking down at the flap that would cover the next panel. You can see from my pics how three of them overlap to make the larger panel.
The slim line panels also fit through the acrylic tank top. There's no cutting required to get them inside the tank. Very handy!

 

[Egon]

Next is my 450 background. This is the first background I ever installed. Tank hight is 30" and the background available at the time was only 22" so I had to get creative lol. Again I'm not an artist!
The background is Aqua Terra "Mesa Rock Wall" 20"X22" panels that interlock like putting your hands together and locking your fingers or a dove tail joint in wood working. I added two additional rock modules for some depth and to break up the lower line of painted styrofoam.

 

[KaiserSousay]

Thanks for sharing, especially the pics.
Man, do I like the way those backgrounds look.
My only problem is how filter tubes stick out when put in front of those backgrounds.
No matter if they are black, green or any other color.
The tubes really take away from the look.
Too bad they can`t provide a “wrap” that could be attached.
Kind of like the bits of cammo you “wrap” on a bow or rifle.
Just something that would let the tubes blend in with the background.

 

[Egon]

Thanks for sharing, especially the pics.
Man, do I like the way those backgrounds look.
My only problem is how filter tubes stick out when put in front of those backgrounds.
No matter if they are black, green or any other color.
The tubes really take away from the look.
Too bad they can`t provide a “wrap” that could be attached.
Kind of like the bits of cammo you “wrap” on a bow or rifle.
Just something that would let the tubes blend in with the background.

I agree. I hate to see a great looking background with filter equipment or heaters in front of it.

 

[bbortko]

makes me regret getting a 125 instead of a 180