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

[JK47]

D00D that tank is so NEXT LEVEL!

Looking good!

WOW, I have no doubt I will be bumped if you send completed pix to Matt, looks incredible.

Wow...looks GREAT!! I really love how the sand worked out! I will remember to use that technique on my build! Lol..

Thanks guys! and girl I got the plants cut up and set while the tank filled up. I pulled everything apart on the main plant and there were 5-6 "clumps" of useable leaves.



I cut off the clumps with vines having down for use on the top back wall of the tank where the returns run. I am hopeing the vines hanging down will move realistically in the return flow. I also cut and thinned out a small one for p[lanting directly into the BG.





I used black cable ties to fix the plant clumb to the Loc-Line return. Not permanent but I never have to dig them out of the tank because of coming loose.











I cut two larger hanging pieces from the other plant to thin it out and break up the level of the other plants. These two clumps should hang motionless while the other four flow back to front consistently. We'll see.

 

[aclockworkorange]

Wow...looks GREAT!! I really love how the sand worked out! I will remember to use that technique on my build! Lol..

I agree, sand looks perfect. Whoever suggested that must be a genius.

 

[JK47]

I agree, sand looks perfect. Whoever suggested that must be a genius.

Yeah Matt is the man

Flash off in this pic working with the tank. I got about 100 lbs of sand in at this point. Thats 600 watts of lighting right now. A "tad" more than will be on the tank when done lol..



I really like the small piece I planted in the hole I ground off of the BG. The plants fit in well, plugged the hole and my BG sits flush.. triple WIN









Wood out, 2/3 of the sand in, tank full and the actual lighting on top. I need to replace one of the T5 bulbs so it will be a little more bright than this in the end.





This weekend I am cutting the wood, getting the stones in, fixing the lighting, re-plumbing the FX5 returns into the Loc-Line, helping clockwork with his BG, heling fallin49er drill and plumb his new 250 gallon and starting to build the new stand for the 120g... I'm sure I'll have a few more pics by then.

 

[ceeej31]

simply awesome, you're so close to being done!

 

[aclockworkorange]

Your garage looks semi clean in those pictures! I'm sure looks can be deceiving.

Good work. I'm moving my fish in to the 90 gallon today.

 

[JK47]

simply awesome, you're so close to being done!

Thanks Colin! I'm basically done with any "work" just some decor and cleanup etc.. I am only soaking it a few days so I can test the water and make sure everything is PH inert etc.. I have 3 tubes of silicone (x2 GEI x1 GEII) and six cans of Great Stuff pond foam. Oh and a BG.. Just need to be safe you know.

Your garage looks semi clean in those pictures! I'm sure looks can be deceiving.

Good work. I'm moving my fish in to the 90 gallon today.

Nah it's still a mess... GL on the move. LMK if yo need help at all bro. I am going to drop Matt a note and get an ETA on the 30" tall BG's. Damien wants a BG for his 250g after seeing this yesterday..

 

[joecoulson]

I like the way you have a vision of what you wanted and made sure it looked like that. It's exactly what I wanted to do with my latest too. You get to a certain point in fish keeping where you are completely set on what you want the tank to look like and will not rest until it looks that way. I found myself purchasing more driftwood to make the flooded woodland just that much more perfect. I am excited to see the fish in that one, love the plants.

 

[JK47]

I like the way you have a vision of what you wanted and made sure it looked like that. It's exactly what I wanted to do with my latest too. You get to a certain point in fish keeping where you are completely set on what you want the tank to look like and will not rest until it looks that way. I found myself purchasing more driftwood to make the flooded woodland just that much more perfect. I am excited to see the fish in that one, love the plants.

Thanks Joe. You and I are on the same page. I found my inspirational pics and I think it's coming out close. It's tough though to get others to see what you have in your head. Especially when your bouncing between 4 tanks left and right..

This pic from above shows where I am trying to decide right now. I have the two DBN driftwood pieces I chose for this tank and want to use them but am unsure on placement. The plant on the far right above the tree (in front of stand outside of tank) is hanging me up. I am just not sure if it's too mch or not. What do you think?

 

[aclockworkorange]

Makes it look unnatural IMO. I would get rid of that stray plant in the top right on the tank too (above the one you shoved in that hole on the right). If you put things in corners it tends to look bad.

 

[DaveB]

I sort of disagree, depending on the execution. I think if you used any more plants you could have them reaching from the inner part out and down to cover the overflows. An element or two (wood) in front of them wouldn't hurt either.

Not that black looks bad, or even that noticeable with your central light, but going from a more open center to a more weeded/wooded edge would also look good and natural too.