Diy Backgound

[proton]

hi guys, i was looking to get a 3D background and stumbled on this DIY background website. Anyone else have any other links or ideas?

 

[billm90]

hi guys, i was looking to get a 3D background and stumbled on this DIY background website. Anyone else have any other links or ideas?

yeah I did something similar.

I tried the foam, and it was fun to play with, but I could not get what I wanted out of it.

I picked up a 18" tall by maybe 2 feet long piece of plexi.
sanded the plexi rough

I glued a tupperware box to it. drilled 2 holes and shoved 2 power heads in it shooting outwards at angles. I opened the top of it up and put a section of 2 litter bottle plastic in it to hold the shape and give me an opening to run the powe cords out the top.

I covered this whole thing with foam in a can. I cant remember the name right now. basically gap filler. for instalation and such.

let it dry for a day, and then I began pealing holes in it with my fingers. I made caves and such, I basically peeled up the entire outter layer to remove all flat/smooth spots. and then I painted it flat black. I let it sit out for a long time. then I rinsed it out a lot.
I painted a fine very light coat of light colored paint over the black to give it highlights. it basically looks like a piece of black lava coral.

I glued this thing, plexi back, to the back of my tank. filled the tank, and let it run a bit, then I drained it all out 3 times.

I basically have a fake rock with places for the fish and crabs to hide in the back. inside it has 2 power heads (fish or crabs cant get in) that direct water out to the 2 far corners, and so far no one has noticed I put a piece of filter media over the top to block it. I have enough room to put a heater in there as well. I also drilled holes (before I glued it in) at the bottom of it. for or 5 small holes. about fingers diameter.
it actually is kind of like a volcano in there, but it sucks crap in from the top, like food and plants leaves. and a very small amount from the bottom.

I did this to hide everything I have in the tank. I have 2 bulk heads barely visible at the top, and a large foam rock in the middle. nothing else visible. power heads are hidden. the return from teh sump is set up at the top of the foam rock and shoots forward. all steath.

 

[raptorrex]

if you do a quick search, there was a very good thread about just this, no more than a week ago.

 

[promithius]

i think boboboy is refering to the post i made

http/www.fishforums.net/Fantastic-Lookin...nd-t196643.html

Check it out, slot easier, and in my opinion, better looking that the foam backgrounds

 

[Stan Laurel.]

i think boboboy is refering to the post i made

http/www.fishforums.net/Fantastic-Lookin...nd-t196643.html

Check it out, slot easier, and in my opinion, better looking that the foam backgrounds

i was thinking of trying a DIY backdrop in the near future. i was wondering though, if you conceal the overhang heater (which i want to) doesn't this greatly affect the heating of the water? i mean even if i make an open bottom of a "rock" to allow some heat dissipation, is this really good enough?

 

[KhaosInc]

i think boboboy is refering to the post i made

http/www.fishforums.net/Fantastic-Lookin...nd-t196643.html

Check it out, slot easier, and in my opinion, better looking that the foam backgrounds

i was thinking of trying a DIY backdrop in the near future. i was wondering though, if you conceal the overhang heater (which i want to) doesn't this greatly affect the heating of the water? i mean even if i make an open bottom of a "rock" to allow some heat dissipation, is this really good enough?

What I did with the one Im playing with (and still not happy with) is simply conceal the outlet of the filter along with my heaters (inlet is far away from there). All the water being run through the tank hits them.

 

[Stan Laurel.]

i think boboboy is refering to the post i made

http/www.fishforums.net/Fantastic-Lookin...nd-t196643.html

Check it out, slot easier, and in my opinion, better looking that the foam backgrounds

i was thinking of trying a DIY backdrop in the near future. i was wondering though, if you conceal the overhang heater (which i want to) doesn't this greatly affect the heating of the water? i mean even if i make an open bottom of a "rock" to allow some heat dissipation, is this really good enough?

What I did with the one Im playing with (and still not happy with) is simply conceal the outlet of the filter along with my heaters (inlet is far away from there). All the water being run through the tank hits them.

i see what you mean. i use a double cartridge overhang filter with an overhang heater. will have to make separate hidden holes i guess.