DIY Background for 300G tank

[MKD]

Hi all,


I have searched couple sites diy background for my 300G tank and come across http://www.fishlore.com/fishforum/diy-do-yourself/161057-diy-3d-background.html
I am going to try it and please keep in mind i am not very good at this so bare with me or let me know if there is other better simple way. This will place in the back of my tank, not inside the tank.


thank you,

tony

[Argentum]

Did you consider frosted?
I am considering something like this for my build :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdPvgoDG6ls

[MKD]

That's nice. I would do it on small tank only if i can move it in or out by myself in case changing background from time to time. In my case, i wouldn't do it because it's too big and acrylic is so easy to scratch/hard to remove it.

[MKD]

Ok here we go. I bought some of these

2" pink insulation foam
Drylock
Styrofoam glue
Quick Cement and color.




cut foam in half by blade.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JeY05H1nLkM/VHk0SxVWXdI/AAAAAAAAITY/sOF2GvVFtzo/w958-h539-no/20141005_125235.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S5oteL0GIOI/VHk0bdgzB1I/AAAAAAAAIUA/DpYX8ii6TmQ/w465-h827-no/20141005_125249.jpg


pill off top silver cover paper
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HHLv7nOqJ0Y/VHk0aNqZJTI/AAAAAAAAIT4/NwK-wfR8bv0/w958-h539-no/20141005_125324.jpg


using blade to scrap it off
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kpy2yZ77xRI/VHk0cpeAKuI/AAAAAAAAIUI/rpvm6IZw2uI/w958-h539-no/20141005_153559.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-lyhWoj1oF6M/VHk0Y07S_kI/AAAAAAAAITw/3FIleNL6beo/w958-h539-no/20141005_153601.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dz5Tq5AEoss/VHk0UrmI8tI/AAAAAAAAITg/1TgpY1NGCAg/w465-h827-no/20141008_183130.jpg


Now i am trying to design what to put on it, my brain hurts to get this far. There are so many on net and try to get one to fit me :)

[jsullins]

looking good so far!

[alcastro]

Where is your sketch, is the glue toxic, sorry you probably did research

[MKD]

Like i stated, i am not good at this and don't have sketch. That is why my head hurts :) . Again, this won't be inside of the tank. I know i am weird.

[alcastro]

Gee, I usually have a shot of tequila gets rid of headache, outside of tank sounds good cant wait to see it, I might do same

[MKD]

I wish but i quit it along with cigarret. This way, i dont loose any tank space and no special maintenance during WC.
I'll need find out how to create more rocks and driftwoods or just keep it simple.

[MKD]

Do it Al. It's fun.

[alcastro]

Tony what if you put manzanita wood imbedded , can't get more real than that like petrified forrest

[Argentum]

Tell me about the head hurting stage :D

[rickztahone]

The problem I believe you will run in to is the fact that the texture will prevent the background from sitting flush on the back part of your glass, which in turn might make the appearance obvious to being BEHIND the tank. Other than that, I like your idea. I personally like using the frost backgrounds because they are so easy to put on, and you just peel them off when you get bored of them.

[MKD]

ok. I change material to Restore 10X with roller 'cause it's not in the water so i dont need to worry about aquarium safe .

http://www.rustoleum.com/~/media/DigitalEncyclopedia/Product/RustoleumUSA/CBG/restore/deck_and_concrete_restore_1_gallon.ashx




here is how it looks outside

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OilLiOri4DA/VKgwYs3nFlI/AAAAAAAAIi4/eEs5DNLYvMY/w728-h1294-no/20141228_105738.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WHS6LSj68yI/VKgwTuPTbGI/AAAAAAAAIiU/JeHs0KuG37M/w449-h798-no/20141228_105726.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rHRbIENDjxI/VKgwRdFcUzI/AAAAAAAAIh8/RkR0MnwqxuA/w728-h1294-no/20141228_105657.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rHRbIENDjxI/VKgwRdFcUzI/AAAAAAAAIh8/RkR0MnwqxuA/w449-h798-no/20141228_105657.jpg


https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kwKHiQVfgm8/VKjOPFru9FI/AAAAAAAAIm4/xyf5IBsZxoc/w720-h405-no/20150103_175046.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-io6ZVnN5ZK8/VKjOT1X5UKI/AAAAAAAAInc/U71DJ8IeUl8/w720-h405-no/20150103_173027.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-E9HdDGkXcnI/VKjOl6l1tEI/AAAAAAAAIpg/xJnl4dVyCGE/w720-h405-no/20150103_172826.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7LBhEAfURQw/VKjOxdrNtLI/AAAAAAAAIrM/niZl5avUEYc/w728-h410-no/20150103_172434.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jhu73OPjxo4/VKjPLnWzEZI/AAAAAAAAIvg/vLj61BAzH9k/w728-h410-no/20150103_164215.jpg

[rickztahone]

Looking great Tony. That is better than I expected. You lose a bit of the clarity from it not being INSIDE the tank, but still looks great IMHO. I like that there is contrast in the background with the black. I'm not sure if you incorporated that or it is the light creating these darker areas, but looks great.

Is it glued in place?

[MKD]

It s lights facing the back to create the deepness which some use it in salt water. Background is on its stand which it can slide in and out. This is most i can do for BB tank and provide better place for discus, imo.

[Freshisbetter]

I think it came out pretty darn well and like that it is lighter in color. I have used a coommercial background outside of my tank and like the flexibility of being able to change it out but i never thought i could create my own, well done. I rested mine on a on 2"x2" that I glued to the stand. I like how your lights show down the background to give it that depth. Thanks for sharing!

[MKD]

i dont glue mine. I just made a little stand out of 4"x1" 8' long with 2 poles/stands holding it up. There is not much room in the back between tank and wall so not worry about it falls.