Epic Overhaul/Builds: 3D Backgrounds 300g-125g-120g
- Thread starter JK47
- Start date
leeishom;4632462; said:
Thanks! My icky 125 gallon holding tank as of this afternoon, is really empty...
We just caught 15 fish and shipped 9 of them to NYC. Now to go shuv my head in a 30 deep tank and 
"paint" on silicone..
Haha. I didn't even know this was possible! Just changed my settings. Thanks Dave!DaveB;4632977; said:
Nope, even worse I wear a suit and tie..WOODYKYLITE;4633854; said:
Long story short, I got hurt, I dang near lost my life and spent 4 months at home recovering. I needed something to keep me challenged, busy and healthy in the old brain ya know..? My fish are like theropy to me. 
I spent 3 days drying sand but it was totally worth it. If I didnt have this much sand it would have came out looking like crap.
I used a large plastic bowl and a small tin to shake out a measred amount of sand. It worked like a charm.
GE II black silicone. I would empty out a large pile in a paint try and use a brush with the old school "dab" method to pile it on. Easy peezy..
Far left, carved pond foam, far right, silicone layer with sand piled, middle is the amount of silicone I would add at a time. About 1 linear foot and from top to bottom.
I added a pile of sand, easy 5-10 times as much as would stick to the silicone by gravity being "sprinkled" on. I did that so I could apply preasure on the thick sand bed over the top of the wet silicone. Somewhere in between the two shold mix well?
Hopefully this works. I have never tried it. Kind of a gamble TBH..
This is as close to a FTS as I have been with this tank (still on it's back). I started playing around with a few decorations as well.
Finally....
Tomorrow we'll see how well the sand/silicone dried together. I have my fingers crossed... 
I am trying out a few ideas to hide the return plumbing and to have interactive items in the tank (plants moving in flow etc..) I HATE sterile tanks..
Sorry for adding these pics but after all the other fish moved out of the 125g holding tank, I had a moment to look at this geophagus I plan to grow out. This is going to be one of the best looking fish on the planet.. I can't wait. I dare you to take a crack at an ID Also in the same tank, is the largest male Dicrossus maculatus I have ever seen...! (click to zoom in at the top of the page)
I am trying out a few ideas to hide the return plumbing and to have interactive items in the tank (plants moving in flow etc..) I HATE sterile tanks..
Sorry for adding these pics but after all the other fish moved out of the 125g holding tank, I had a moment to look at this geophagus I plan to grow out. This is going to be one of the best looking fish on the planet.. I can't wait. I dare you to take a crack at an ID
Also in the same tank, is the largest male Dicrossus maculatus I have ever seen...! (click to zoom in at the top of the page)
Hey thanks me too! Getting it in the cracks and crevices of the BG was not very easy but I'm hoping will make it look more natural.cockroach;4634406; said:
They are regular silk plants you get at an arts & crafts store. I need to cut them apart and thin them out. I soak them about 3 weeks in a bucket to get out the dye, then a week straight (24/7) with powerhead, heater and a reptile light over the bucket so they grow algae and break up any straight lines. It makes them look better than most real plants and requiring 0% effort, no ferts, CO2, expensive lighting, nothing..Natalie;4634417; said:
I HATE plastic plants, silk flow in current and are interactive with the habitat. Perfect for big tanks with plant murdering fish lol..You remember the "inspirational" pic for this tank? I circled in red the areas I am taking from. Hopefully you guys are starting to see what's in my head.
I'm on a mission to prove silk plants can look just as good as the real deal.
I am placing my order for the jungle vines Friday. Saturday I go pick up all of the river rock for the tank. The red box on the bottom is 90% of the tank. I imagine that as dark water (low light) embankment with sand and rocks but no live plants. Grasses hanging over the ledge of the embankment but that's it for the color green.
