Does anyone have any experience with products from Universal Rocks? Is it pretty good quality stuff? Im just a little hesitant on dropping almost $200 on some fake rocks/wood.
Universal Rocks
- Thread starter Bobby2415
- Start date
I have their 3D background in my 180....bought it from a member here quite a few years ago actually and it has held up pretty well.
I have a "Crevice" background that is 84" X 31". I have been very pleased with it. Shows no wear or deterioration after 4 years. I also have several of their rocks. The texture is sandy, not smooth, if that makes a difference to you. a little time and algae growth and the look is very realistic. I also have a 72" X 30" background from Aqua Decor that has a smoother texture with a more defined, rocky look. In comparing the two: Universal Rocks has an "end cap" option that finishes the side edges of the background so that there is no gap to allow fish behind it on the ends. Aqua Decor does not have that option, so you can see the raw edge of the background from the sides and fish do get behind the background. Also, Universal Rocks shipped the background in one piece so there are no visible seams. Due to shipping from overseas, Aqua Decor cut the background into three sections that I joined as closely as possible, but the seams are still visible and I hide them with driftwood and plants. The two companies each have a unique look and both are very realistic and tough. I am planning another tank, 130" X 31" and will probably go with Universal Rocks, mostly due to the end cap feature and UR being domestic. They actually invited me to come to their manufacturing plant for a tour when I called to discuss the custom build. Hope this helps.
Just bought a background from them a couple weeks ago for my 225. Very happy with the look. Still setting up the tank though, so I can’t speak to longevity obviously.
Quick question, does anyone have any thoughts about putting filter intakes behind the background? It seems like they have a bunch of small holes in the background (presumably for this reason), so may not be an issue, but I’d love to hear from someone with experience with it. I have two FX6’s.
Quick question, does anyone have any thoughts about putting filter intakes behind the background? It seems like they have a bunch of small holes in the background (presumably for this reason), so may not be an issue, but I’d love to hear from someone with experience with it. I have two FX6’s.
Hey Panosian32, the 84"X31" that i described a few posts up is on a tank that is drilled for a Modular Marine overflow. Universal Rocks made the background so that the internal overflow box would fit behind the background and did slots along the top edge of the background with a mesh screen that matches the rock background. About 1200 gph of flow passes through the screens into the overflow with no problem and it is all hidden out of sight. Not sure aboutt he "bunch of small holes" you mentioned serving the same purpose, but for anyone considering a UR background, they will work with you to customize the BG to accommodate filters, heaters, etc. behind the background.
worth it,
i have 20 or so of their plants with rocks attached -
ordering fake rocks and large branch root soon as i sort how they are cleaned -
plastic plants i bleach everything except for the rock part -
nice stuff though!
FYI ——
i believe they do a black friday sale every year -
i have 20 or so of their plants with rocks attached -
ordering fake rocks and large branch root soon as i sort how they are cleaned -
plastic plants i bleach everything except for the rock part -
nice stuff though!
FYI ——
i believe they do a black friday sale every year -
I had their back ground some years back.
The biggest problem I had with them, is they took up a lot of space in the tank.
After a while I ended up shaving a few inches off the back to save space.
I understand they now make a thinner model.
With the thick ones unless tightly secured, fish could get behind.
They need to be secured with silicone because they are very buoyant or will shoot like a breaching whale.
The biggest problem I had with them, is they took up a lot of space in the tank.
After a while I ended up shaving a few inches off the back to save space.
I understand they now make a thinner model.
With the thick ones unless tightly secured, fish could get behind.
They need to be secured with silicone because they are very buoyant or will shoot like a breaching whale.
Check out Albertan's tank. The tank has Universal Rocks background, rocks and wood.
My 1000 Gallon Glass Aquarium (1000+ Gallons for Dummies)
Daaaaaaamn! Very unique setup and well thought out.
www.monsterfishkeepers.com
Quite a few years ago, I bought a low profile rocky background to put on the floor of our tank. It was specially made for my tank, before custom fabrication was routine. Stuart and his group were very nice to deal with. The background was a polyurea sheet with crushed rock embedded in it. I also wanted polyurea sheets for a painted background, and they fabricated the sheets twice for me. (The sheets didn't work out for me, and I changed direction on my background. Still yet, UR was great to work with.) Had the background stretched out and ready, but just before installing the rocky background on the floor of the tank we decided to do something else. Gave it to an worthy MFK member who helps a lot of people.
