Epic Overhaul/Builds: 3D Backgrounds 300g-125g-120g

[cobra29svt]

If you're not happy with it, now is the time to do something about it. If you're anything like me, you'll wanna kick yourself everytime you look at it & see the blue staring back at ya middle finger up.

If it's a glass tank, then a razor blade should work.

 

[R1_Ridah]

Your one crazy mofo.... I like it =-)

This thread would absolutely be worthless without pictures so thanks for taking the time to post.

Have you thought of soaking the overflow in vinegar to remove the coraline algae? or I guess it wouldn't matter since your just going to paint over it. But at least it would be a clean surface to work with.

Looking fresh as you go... Your tanks are going to look amazing I'm sure.

BTW - For the background, why not get a hair dryer to heat it up a little to soften it up and run a razor blade through it. Should peel off like butta... =-)

 

[Natalie]

It looks like the paint is already working itself off at the edges, so yeah I think a razor blade or even a paint scraper will do the trick. If you're pressed for time you could just scrape and repaint the area directly behind the tree stump...

Also, there are some aquarium-safe paint types that you could use on the inside back wall. More expensive but worth a try!

 

[JK47]

Besides the above, I made lots of progress today. I finally got up the nerve to drill holes in the front of the 120g BG.

I was having a really hard time thinking how I was going to measure and cut the holes in the background to line up perfectly with the returns. There is a bulkhead fitting, three 90 degree elbows and the return pipe to get exactly right. Here is how I did it. I am not a very crafty guy so I am rather proud of how I pulled it off. I drilled the backgroun first and matched the plumbing to the holes.

I used the larger bit I posted above on another test piece and it fit snug. Just what I wanted. No sanding at all.



When I laid out the plumbing, I cut everything too tall intentionally. This was so I got my horizontal spacing measurements exactly where I wanted them and to cut the bottom of the BG to fit over the bulkhead fittings/elbows.



I marked where I wanted the horizontal with a sharpie and the measure down 2.5" down and marked the vertical cross section.



I pulled the BG out and drilled a pilot hole through the front. (to the right of the drill bit in this pic)



I drilled hole through the back towards the front. The front is uneven (3D) and my bit would bounce all over the place. Good thing I found that out on a practice piece. Drilling from the back made the front hole pretty clean actually. The material on the inside is much softer than the outside.



This is the hole from the front. Yes those are DC slippers. Real men wear slippers...



The Loc-Line is a perfect fit. I didn't have to sand the holes or anything. Stoked how it came out.



I put the BG back in and this is the only plumbing you will see from inside the tank. I bought the Loc-Line and decided to have it in the tank so I can move the flow around without powerheads. I actually like how it looks.



The hole on the right side was allot harder to do. I drilled it from the back too but this spot was a "branch" and not as easy to drill. The backside was not flat either so hgetting it straight was a little more tricky.



From the front it look OK. I did have to sand and touch up this hole. I forgot to take a pic when I was done though.



More pics of cutting and finishing the plumbing in a sec.

 

[JK47]

Stoked on this part!!! Normally I suck at this kind of crap.
I pulled out the Loc-Line back out of the holes and marked an "x" on the "tall" PVC where the hole in the BG was so I could plumb to the hole..





If you guys drill your BG you HAVE to do this: After I pulled the background back out, I marked which was the left side and which was the right side in case holes my holes are off from side or the other. After I cut my PVC they were off. By a 1/5". Not sure why but they were and it wolnd't have fit



BG is out yet again cuz I need to get to cuttin..



"x" marks the spot where the hole was. 3.5" down. Also my "x" looks allot more like a guy jumping off a bridge. That's how you know I am not good at DIY, even my stick figures kill themselves...



I made the same length measurement on the bottom of the same pipe and cut off that amount. Now it's a perfect match to the holes in the BG.







Finished left side and finished right side. Looks sooo good! And it's functional.. Plumbing is drying right now.

 

[devder1]

wowowowow doing it big time! love it!

 

[JK47]

Right now I am trying to find a pair Eheim 2217's for this setup. I want it silent and Eheim is the way to go. I could use it's FX5 on other projects so I would like to free it up. I finally ordered an Eheim 2211 for the 10 gallon too!

On each return I drilled a syphon break. An air hole in case your canister leaks and in the event I decide to ever switch out the FX5 for a sump. Trying to make this tank flexable down the road.



In tank shot of the plumbing cut to fit.



Another test fit with the BG back in. This tank doesn't even look like the same one I picked up from the saltwater dude I traded.



Both holes line up perfectly with each return pipe. Again I am super glad I marked them off with which side was left vs right.









Since everything is the same fit after putting it togethetr, I glued it all together about two hours ago. I painted the pipes with one coat of Krylon Fusion black tonight and will do another coat tomorrow.





Last things last, the elbows on top the return that the Loc-Line screw into I didn't glue. That way I can pop them off or adjust the angle down the road. If the PVC glue made everything fit farther down than the test fit I'll need another 1/4" or so to work with anyway.



That's where I stopped for the night.

 

[JK47]

wowowowow doing it big time! love it!

Thanks Devon! Wish you lived closer bro.

If you're not happy with it, now is the time to do something about it. If you're anything like me, you'll wanna kick yourself everytime you look at it & see the blue staring back at ya middle finger up.

If it's a glass tank, then a razor blade should work.

It looks like the paint is already working itself off at the edges, so yeah I think a razor blade or even a paint scraper will do the trick. If you're pressed for time you could just scrape and repaint the area directly behind the tree stump...

Also, there are some aquarium-safe paint types that you could use on the inside back wall. More expensive but worth a try!

You two are totally right. It will be flipping me off forever if I don't redo it. I'll get cracking on it tomorrow. I should still be able to fill it tomorrow night if I start early. Do you know the name of the inside safe paint or is it just Krylon Fusion? I have used that on PVC lots of times bet never glass.. Good idea Natalie!

Your one crazy mofo.... I like it =-)

This thread would absolutely be worthless without pictures so thanks for taking the time to post.

Have you thought of soaking the overflow in vinegar to remove the coraline algae? or I guess it wouldn't matter since your just going to paint over it. But at least it would be a clean surface to work with.

Looking fresh as you go... Your tanks are going to look amazing I'm sure.

BTW - For the background, why not get a hair dryer to heat it up a little to soften it up and run a razor blade through it. Should peel off like butta... =-)

Thanks J! I wish I could load more than 10 pics at a time lol.. That's a killer idea about the hair dryer, I got two to go so I'll try that. I haven't decided if I wanna paint the overflows or or try some of the pond foam and made em 3D. I don't think vinegar will help, the coraline is growth into the plastic. I'll have time between paint coats tomorrow so I'll try some pond foam and let you guys know how it works.

 

[cobra29svt]

If the paint comes off easy (chipping/flaking) w/ a blade, heating it up will prob make it adhere a little better making it harder to remove. If the paint doesn't come off easy w/ the blade, then add the heat.

 

[Dan F]

Don't underestimate the power of vinegar! I have removed thick deposits of coraline algae and tubeworm-encrustation by soaking in vinegar, it just takes time. Also, it may not completely dissolve, but it will soften to the point where it can be removed with a scrubbie (they're not JUST for biomedia).

Incredible work, as many have said. This is the best 3D background thread ever, by a long shot!