Background Adice

[veloxci]

Hi all

Long story short I'm toying with the idea of using a juwel 3d background. I really like the look they give the tank. However...... The aquariums already up and running and stocked with a dozen or so various fish plus a couple of shrimp and a bn plec.

Has anyone ever attempted the plan I've formulated or have any input?

1) move the top and mid swimmers out into 35l back up tank that's cycled and running empty
2) half or 2/3Rds empty and attempt to move shrimp,cory and plec to back up tank
3) cut and install back ground. Weighting at bottom in substrate and silicon above water level.
4) wait 2/3 hours for partial sealent set then start water treating and refilling
5) add bacteria addetive and run filter with no fish for 12 hrs
6)in total about 15 hours later transfer back fish from backup tank

Any input / advice would be great.

 

[JoolsA2]

Sounds good to me. Thats what i would do if i was installing a 3D background.

 

[[email protected]]

Hi all

Long story short I'm toying with the idea of using a juwel 3d background. I really like the look they give the tank. However...... The aquariums already up and running and stocked with a dozen or so various fish plus a couple of shrimp and a bn plec.

Has anyone ever attempted the plan I've formulated or have any input?

1) move the top and mid swimmers out into 35l back up tank that's cycled and running empty
2) half or 2/3Rds empty and attempt to move shrimp,cory and plec to back up tank
3) cut and install back ground. Weighting at bottom in substrate and silicon above water level.
4) wait 2/3 hours for partial sealent set then start water treating and refilling
5) add bacteria addetive and run filter with no fish for 12 hrs
6)in total about 15 hours later transfer back fish from backup tank

Any input / advice would be great.

sounds like a plan

 

[doresy]

That's a sort of a plan.

I have the Juwel 3d background, they are very good (an expensive)

If it were me I would go to your local cheapy shop and buy the largest plastic container/bucket (probably under a fiver). You could even use a large wooden or polystyrene box lined with a quality bin bag. Transfer half your water into it. Move all the fish over then tranfer the rest of the water. Pop in your heater and filter. Cover and keep in a darkened room. Dry out the tank, and bank up the substrate away from the back, silicone in the background. Leave for 48 hours.
Transfer everything back in the reverse order to the first transfer......job done.

 

[Darkerwhite2]

That's a sort of a plan.

I have the Juwel 3d background, they are very good (an expensive)

If it were me I would go to your local cheapy shop and buy the largest plastic container/bucket (probably under a fiver). You could even use a large wooden or polystyrene box lined with a quality bin bag. Transfer half your water into it. Move all the fish over then tranfer the rest of the water. Pop in your heater and filter. Cover and keep in a darkened room. Dry out the tank, and bank up the substrate away from the back, silicone in the background. Leave for 48 hours.
Transfer everything back in the reverse order to the first transfer......job done.

I also like this idea. The fish should be fine and i think you'll be much happier with the end result. More time and effort but worth it IMO.

Good luck with whichever route you decide to go.

 

[veloxci]

Thanks doresy and darker I think I will be modifying ze plan of action.
Hoping to go ahead mid next month , funds permitting. Cost of the back ground doesn't bother me tbh as so far I don't think I've spent the cost of a new tank on the entire setup so far so I'm happy. Or more to the point the mrs is!
Ill take some pics when I do it. Might even make a how-to.
Has any one got any pics of their juwel 3d back grounds? Planning on joining and slightly modding 2x rock 400 that they make.

 

[doresy]

Thanks doresy and darker I think I will be modifying ze plan of action.
Hoping to go ahead mid next month , funds permitting. Cost of the back ground doesn't bother me tbh as so far I don't think I've spent the cost of a new tank on the entire setup so far so I'm happy. Or more to the point the mrs is!
Ill take some pics when I do it. Might even make a how-to.
Has any one got any pics of their juwel 3d back grounds? Planning on joining and slightly modding 2x rock 400 that they make.

Here's mine

 

[HappyGeorge]

I would urge you firstly to give a good period of time for the Silicone to cure, even aquarium safe I am led to believe will release harmful chemicals until it is fully cured. Secondly I had a bad experience with a fish getting behind my DIY background and had to butcher it a little to release him, despite no visible spaces, they can find their way into tiny spaces and will up to the point where their fins are pinned to their sides and its game over. So I would suggest that anything short of securely siliconing it to the base of the back of the tank may be tempting fate.

 

[Craig89]

what i did was, was slide a piece of precisly cut perspex about 3 inch from the back of the tank then drain the water behind it means u can keep the fish in. only works if ya dads a DT teacher lol

 

[veloxci]

Thanks for the pic doresy , is that the 240 have, looks fantastic. What will you be putting in there?

George any time frame on curing the silicon? Been trying to research it not finding many answers. Problem being that the back tanks 35l. Droping a dozen or so fish in there even though its well cycled is going to spike the amonia so I want to keep the time there in there to a minimum really.

Nice suggestion craig can see two issues there though. 1 a lack of perspex 2 a lack of precision cutting on my part lol.

 

[doresy]

Thanks for the pic doresy , is that the 240 have, looks fantastic. What will you be putting in there?

George any time frame on curing the silicon? Been trying to research it not finding many answers. Problem being that the back tanks 35l. Droping a dozen or so fish in there even though its well cycled is going to spike the amonia so I want to keep the time there in there to a minimum really.

Nice suggestion craig can see two issues there though. 1 a lack of perspex 2 a lack of precision cutting on my part lol.

Check my sig for details. Tanganyikan Chilids

 

[veloxci]

Bit of an update guys ( not sure anyones bothered tbh ) having set off to b & q for supplies last week. a relavative called me and said along the lines of "Ben , your into this fish stuff arent you ive got some old odds and sods you can pick up if you want."

Called in on route all interested and one of the things was a 2 peice 4 ft by 3ft Juwel 3d back ground that just has stamped into it "rocky" and refused point blank to accept money!

Got it home and with some help and alot of jiggling managed to cut it ( finding its made of wood coated in resin ) and jiggle it into the tank.

I only used the filter part to use it all i would have lost most of the tank! and it looks stunning IMO.

Didnt have to silicon it in either because i have an old panorama it has a central support brace i have managed to cut it to wedge under that and the slight upper lip leaving a fair bit of swimming space at the back and for water flow.

Im putting a post in the piccys section later check it out