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

[JK47]

I drove everywhere today trying to find black silicone. The Ace hardware brand said it's 100% silicone but also says "resistant to mold". < I understood that to mean it was not safe for aquarium use. I've also been reading a few accounts that say GE II is also safe, others say it's not safe and that it is the only type I can find in black. I refuse to use any other color on this tank. Does anyone know a safe brand/make that is common (local) and black?????

I really wanted to get another background done tonight. I am draining the 120 gallon right now because it sprung another leak.



I made some progress on the 300 backgrouund I'll load in a sec but want to run to get a safe silicone while there there is still some time left in the day.

 

[HULON]

I drove everywhere today trying to find black silicone. The Ace hardware brand said it's 100% silicone but also says "resistant to mold". < I understood that to mean it was not safe for aquarium use. I've also been reading a few accounts that say GE II is also safe, others say it's not safe and that it is the only type I can find in black. I refuse to use any other color on this tank. Does anyone know a safe brand/make that is common (local) and black?????

I really wanted to get another background done tonight. I am draining the 120 gallon right now because it sprung another leak.

View attachment 543585

I made some progress on the 300 backgrouund I'll load in a sec but want to run to get a safe silicone while there there is still some time left in the day.

Hey justin i have used the Silicone II on several tanks and Algae grows right on it .Also have raise an aro in the tank and very small P,s both of these are very sensetive when small...The main thing with silicone as you know is let cure good i use it all the time the black door and sash GE II

 

[JK47]

I would like to get the bottom of this background done. I screwed together the "molds" not long ago. These are the right angles to keep the pond foam uniform on the back/bottom of the tank.



I put the mangrove background on the floor in front of the tank to start cutting things for length.



These are close ups on the mold and PVC (void filler)





The right side is my only concern. This is the thickest (farthest from the back). I am starting here so if I am happy with this area, the rest should be easy.



The mid sections do not come out very far from the back. I think I will leave the BG like this on the floor and spray the pond foam with it in place to match the thickness in certain areas of the BG.



The surface of the foam has a gloss shine to it. I want to spray the whole length of the tank and cut into pre-formed sections. The BG is going to be cut into 4 slices.



Cutting the surface of the foam off (shaping it) makes a rough cut that seems to match the BG colors a little better so I know now to rough cut everything. I could use some feedback from you guys here. Do yo think the foam makes it look ghetto or a good starting point on this BG??? Be honest.. I can touch it up with matt black, white and grey to blend it in a little better. Now is the time if I need to come up with a new idea.

 

[JK47]

Hey justin i have used the Silicone II on several tanks and Algae grows right on it .Also have raise an aro in the tank and very small P,s both of these are very sensetive when small...The main thing with silicone as you know is let cure good i use it all the time the black door and sash GE II

Thanks Hugh. Nice to hear a first hand account. There is so much conflicting info on GE II.. I have always used GE I when resealing tanks so the clear is all I have experience with. I have to use silicone on the BG in my 120 gallon too. My "lid hold it down" install job was an epic fail.. I would like to stop the leak and silicone down the BG in one shot while the tanks on it's back.

 

[Conner]

What you can do with that below the background foam, is just do like you say. Rough cut it, then spray it with black and white and gray to blend it as well as possible.

Its only 4" of foam, right? Can't you just slope your substrate from low in front to high in back, so that most of the foam will be hidden? Obviously fish will move some around, but most of the foam should stay hidden by sand/gravel...

 

[JK47]

What you can do with that below the background foam, is just do like you say. Rough cut it, then spray it with black and white and gray to blend it as well as possible.

Its only 4" of foam, right? Can't you just slope your substrate from low in front to high in back, so that most of the foam will be hidden? Obviously fish will move some around, but most of the foam should stay hidden by sand/gravel...

True. I can't slope the sand x8 Geos "mow the lawn" 24/7. I wasn't as happy with how the foam looks than I thought I would be. Kinda bummed. I am planning on larger rocks all along the back. I guess I could try and cover it in sand or wood or something.

 

[Moreh2o]

really nice job, looks like its gonna be super clean when it all set up

 

[Conner]

True. I can't slope the sand x8 Geos "mow the lawn" 24/7. I wasn't as happy with how the foam looks than I thought I would be. Kinda bummed. I am planning on larger rocks all along the back. I guess I could try and cover it in sand or wood or something.

Any chances of finding a piece of driftwood about 4-5" in diameter and pretty straight to run along the bottom of the background? I know I have several that would probably work for something like that. Just found them by the side of the river...

 

[Conner]

That or do the larger stones lined up in front of the bottom of the BG. If you vary the size from medium to large stones, and then place some smaller ones in front, with the sand running up to the edges of the stones, that would probably look pretty good.

 

[JK47]

Any chances of finding a piece of driftwood about 4-5" in diameter and pretty straight to run along the bottom of the background? I know I have several that would probably work for something like that. Just found them by the side of the river...

That or do the larger stones lined up in front of the bottom of the BG. If you vary the size from medium to large stones, and then place some smaller ones in front, with the sand running up to the edges of the stones, that would probably look pretty good.

I could do the wood but I would rather go the rock route. I was planning on scaping with the large and medium stones anyway. I am not sure how real wood and 3D backgrounds will look against one another? I have something specific in mind for the wood in this tank anyway and it is going to be stunning.. I talked with DBN last night and they gave me a really good idea so in a couple days I'll have pics up of that.

Aside from the 49'er game today I will only be working on the tanks so I should get lots of pics up for you guys tonight. Thanks for the feedback Conner!