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

JK47

Retired MFK Admin
MFK Member
Aug 4, 2008
11,112
3,479
2,555
Washington
The goal was to set up the 120g, empty the 125g, move the 300g fish to the 125g to do the BG. That's the reason for all of the bouncing around. The 125 gallon in the garage now where the 120g was.

P1010544.JPG

This is why I HATE this tank was the hard green algae that would grow on it. I finally decided I don't care if it scratches and went to town with a razor blade. Now this tank is scratched like a candy cane lol..

P1010545.JPG

P1010546.JPG

P1010549.JPG

Most aggressive fish I own. Seriously... Glass banging swordtail :screwy: And yeah your looking at a 125g tank with a single swordtail, two FX5's a sponge filter and a 40watt UV.. :ROFL:

P1010555.JPG

P1010559.JPG

FX5 drain/fill method again.

P1010561.JPG

This two shots are for anyone owning an 8'+ tank and trying to catch fish. Your floor is gunna be wet...

P1010566.JPG

P1010567.JPG

Finally got everyone moved and cleaned out the 300g to the holding tank..

P1010587.JPG

more pics in a sec
 

JK47

Retired MFK Admin
MFK Member
Aug 4, 2008
11,112
3,479
2,555
Washington
Switching back to the 300 gallon until it's finished. So the DBN mangrove background is really thick. A little thicker than I wanted so I decided to try and grind off the back. I was able to get 6" of footprint back by grinding the panels flat. I wanted to challenge all the people who argue 3D BG's take up too much space... Turns out there is something about it you can do.. ;)

>(your welcome nay-sayers)<

P1010423.JPG

P1010429.JPG

P1010430.JPG

P1010431.JPG

P1010432.JPG

P1010450.JPG

I ended up punching through on the deepest point but it was so deep I really needed to keep going if I wanted to get tank space back. The next pic shows how deep I ended up.

P1010434.JPG

P1010451.JPG

It went from 12" front to back to 6".. :naughty:

P1010453.JPG

P1010455.JPG

In tank shots in a sec..
 

JK47

Retired MFK Admin
MFK Member
Aug 4, 2008
11,112
3,479
2,555
Washington
Time to trim the BG width so the overflow towers fit. I screwed it up too. :( It's absolutly true you should not cut a BG. Instead score the back and snap the front like drywall. DBN suggested this to me and it was a great idea. Make sure you read the following if your going to install one.

If you have to cut off a certain height or width, try this. The surface is uneven (3D) so a straight line is harder then it seams. I measure every few inches and stab the back (4" cutt needed in the pics). I conect with the razor from one stab to the next line coloring in the lines.

P1010464.JPG

P1010466.JPG

Only use brand new blades on BG, trust be. Don't cheap out.

P1010467.JPG

P1010468.JPG

I start with the utility knife and then switch to the deep razor to go over the cut one more time.

P1010470.JPG

Then snap the front panel and it will make this really jagged tear that fits back like a puzzle. Makeing the lines invisible.

P1010471.JPG

Then I realized I just did a bad :( if your cutting height or width off, score the front for a clean line then snap the back. I needed a clean break and ended up tearing off the surface on one end :duh: oh well... This is the method you should use when snapping it into pieces..

BG touches tank = score front, snap back
BG touches BG = score back, snap front

P1010473.JPG

P1010478.JPG
 

Natalie

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Aug 31, 2007
1,552
0
36
Florida
Justin, I don't know if you have one of those laser levelers? My dad used one for his 3D background to take edges off the left and right, and he said it worked perfectly. He used the line from the leveler to draw a guideline with sharpie, then a saw to cut.
 

JK47

Retired MFK Admin
MFK Member
Aug 4, 2008
11,112
3,479
2,555
Washington
Natalie;4625507; said:
Justin, I don't know if you have one of those laser levelers? My dad used one for his 3D background to take edges off the left and right, and he said it worked perfectly. He used the line from the leveler to draw a guideline with sharpie, then a saw to cut.
I don't have one, only basic hand tool. After as many times as I have needed one lately I plan on getting one soon. xmas is coming up, just saying.. if there any secret santas out there lol..

The openings in the acrylic are 24" wide so I made a cut roughly every 20" so I had a little room to work with. Same as above, scrore, snap, repeat as needed. Not much else to say other than that.

P1010598.JPG

I did use a level next to the BG so I could try and keep my cut reletivly straight and vertical.

P1010602.JPG

P1010603.JPG

P1010604.JPG

P1010605.JPG

P1010606.JPG

P1010607.JPG

P1010608.JPG

This the rough fit and shows the space take or remaining depending whos looking at it.

P1010619.JPG

This is the lighting plan. I like the effect it gives fading towards the sides. The BG is just sitting in this pic, it's not siliconed back together.

P1010614.JPG

more pics shortly. :popcorn:
 

JK47

Retired MFK Admin
MFK Member
Aug 4, 2008
11,112
3,479
2,555
Washington
Disclaimer >>> "Derail Haters" skip this post please.. :D

One pet peeve I have always had is that last bit of water I can't drain out of big tanks.

P1010630.JPG

Tape an air line tubing to the top of a broom handle and make a "mini-python". Not sure why I didn't think of it before but it works real good. ;) It gets to that last little bit in the bottom.

P1010622.JPG

P1010623.JPG

P1010624.JPG

P1010625.JPG

P1010626.JPG

P1010627.JPG

This pic is on topic so no mods need to delete this post :D lol

P1010634.JPG

pond foam in a sec..
 

JK47

Retired MFK Admin
MFK Member
Aug 4, 2008
11,112
3,479
2,555
Washington
Supplies for putting the panels back into one piece. Gloves are a must BTW.. The painting tray is a good idea too because your going to need to set down the silicone gun to breath etc.. It's a clean place that doesn't let any of the wasted silicone come in contact with the BG.

P1010647.JPG

I used ratcheting tie down straps and 2"x6" boards for support/no crushing from the straps.

P1010638.JPG

I went at it with the tank upright. Terrible idea.. Don't do that. Lay your tank on it's back. It's way to hard to hold angles properly and make the panels line up correctly.

P1010636.JPG

P1010650.JPG

I used DAP 100% clear silicone for putting the panels back together. I could not find it in black.

P1010651.JPG

P1010652.JPG

P1010657.JPG

Once I got the tank on it's back the panels lined up perfect. I wish I would have done that from the get go. The lines you see above would not be there. Overall I am happy though.

P1010681.JPG

P1010683.JPG
 

JK47

Retired MFK Admin
MFK Member
Aug 4, 2008
11,112
3,479
2,555
Washington
My original plan wast to use 3" ID pvc to elevalte the BG and make up some room. The pond foam is $12 a can. This would have been another 3 cans or so that I saved by using pvc.

P1010685.JPG

Obviously the 3" ID pipe is too high because my retuurns from the sump as well as the FX5 returns are too high. (I designed the pliumbing before buying a BG)

P1010720.JPG

P1010738.JPG

The external durso pipes are 1.5"ID (2" OD) so I tried it and BAM! Perfect! :headbang2 Next pic shows perfect height IMO.

P1010742.JPG

P1010743.JPG

I went to town cutting up the durso pipes so I can scalp them for my BG. I'll fix those later..

P1010751.JPG

You guys remember this? The very first foam blob I made to try this stuff out. I needed to make up some space so back in the building plans it goes lol..

P1010754.JPG

P1010757.JPG

P1010758.JPG

Last test fit. Overflows in, 2" OD pipe underneath, Loc-Line plumbing and bulkhead fittings removed..

P1010768.JPG
 

JK47

Retired MFK Admin
MFK Member
Aug 4, 2008
11,112
3,479
2,555
Washington
Overflow towers. A hole for the heater, another hole for for the FX5 intake and the inside 90 degree elbow of the durso.

P1010770.JPG

P1010771.JPG

LET THE FOAM BEGIN!!! :headbang2:headbang2:headbang2

P1010776.JPG

P1010777.JPG

P1010778.JPG

P1010779.JPG

Large spot covered.

P1010780.JPG

P1010785.JPG

That paint tray still hanging around from the silicone job.

P1010787.JPG

Belly shot lol..

P1010784.JPG

This is where at am at right now. Tonight I am "painting" the foam on the bottom with silicone and covering it in sand. I have sand drying out in the ovenm right now. Not working out very well though lol.. Got a bit done in the last two days eh??
 

JK47

Retired MFK Admin
MFK Member
Aug 4, 2008
11,112
3,479
2,555
Washington
ceeej31;4625360; said:
nice, have you put much thought into what kind of experiments you might try in the 125?
I really haven't. Having a next level 300 and 120 gallon is enough.. I need a tank I can say eff it and whipe down with a razor blade without a care you know? Allot of guys get so wrapped up in things being perfect they lose sight of having fun in the hobby, I don't wanna become that guy. I will breed BN plecos, my LFS takes the fry in exchange for food. I love breeding them too, I used to back in the days. The males behavior in sand is too funny and I miss it.. I might even try my hand at L46, who knows. Having options, new stock and things to learn is what keep me excited about this hobby.

Natalie;4625364; said:
WOW you've gotten a lot done! I love the 120g, with the wild plants and all that driftwood. The background suits it perfectly. How generous of you give away the River Stump background too! I'll look for that thread to pop up sometime soon. :)

Can't wait to see what happens with the 300g!
Yeah that is my/my wifes favorite tank too. I need to buy a nice stand, scape it, finish the lighting and move it. All the stuff in there right now was just a move the tank job. When I move the orange heads to the 300g, I will finish it. Jeff says I need to trim the anubias (it's like 26" tall) and he is the plant guy so I better listen.. I don't want fake wood and real wood in the same tank, it seems tacky IMO..
 
zoomed.com
hikariusa.com
aqaimports.com
Store