Hi

Does anybody have pics of those Juwel Rock Backgrounds in there tank?

Are the nooks and crannies big enough for fry to escape and what is the depth of the background?

This post has been edited by Gun: Aug 8 2008, 09:23 PM

Hi, the larger tank in my signiture has the 3d Juwel Rock background

lol,

Are the nooks and crannies big enough for fry to escape and what is the depth of the background?

Lol!

How would you go about making one of these?

I mean like which material (polystyrene)?

I'm thinking maybe get a piece of material which is no more than 1 1/2" thick that will fit perfectly in the back of my tank. Draw out the rock face and then use something like a scalpel to carve it out (noooks/crannies). Finally, paint it

Guys, how difficult do you think this could be?

Hi Gun,

Try some of these links below, or do a search on google.

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_..._background.php

www.max-discus-dream.de/mddnew/3D-back.htm - 17k -

www.littleboxofbones.com/fishtank/tankrebuild/ - 49k -

Always fancied trying this myself but I'm not much of a DIY man!

I have used the plain black Juwel background in one of my planted tanks and it looks awesome IMO

The crevaces in it arent really deep enough to enable fry to hide out though if that is what you are looking for.

Hope the links help

Bricko

Hi bricko

Thanks for the links (going to check them out pronto).

I think making one would be quite entertaining and it seems like a really cheap option. The juwel backgrounds look pretty good..although they are expensive and not exactly what I'm looking for Just a matter of finding a pretty tough material that wont break up under the scalpel/water...and then hoping it does't look crap when painted, lol!

Anyways, off to read those links

Wow, this thread is awesome...

Visit My Website

It looks like a really cheap option..with a stunning effect

Few questions:

Ok, which material...any recommendations, guys?

Is there some sort of light but very hard resin (spray bottle or something would be even better) that can be applied instead of concrete? Thinking weight/convenience here.

If I can do this, I pretty much would copy the cave area (at the bottom) of BinaryWhisper's design, then maybe change a few things around, rising up the tank.

Few things that put me off though. Using concrete/melting process/gettting a desirable finish with the paint

This post has been edited by Gun: Aug 7 2008, 08:25 PM

Hi guys.

Well, I decided I would have an attempt at making a scaled down model background.

Materials were very limited. I searched around the loft for some polystyrene and found some ceiling tiles. The only other material I've used so far is brown sticky tape.

Here's a few pics...





I think practicing on something like this will help me a lot before I make the 48" version (3 pieces). The size/shape of the ledges/caves could change quite a bit by the time I make the 48". Then there's the task of creating terrain/texture. Also. a model version might show up some possible lighting issues.

What do you think guys...? I've never even thought of, never mind made anything like this, lol!

Edit: Looking at it again. I would like to keep the cave areas pretty open, this will help greatly with maintainance and catching fish. The flat background area...I'm going to try to cut some sharp niches, cracks out...seems like this could be the ideal hideout for future fry.

The ledges will have sand/plants/moss & or grass on them...with maybe something around the edges to keep the sand in place. All this whilst trying to keep a natural look. Hmmm... Lastly, the ledges in the 48"...I would like to create some depth to them. Maybe carve them out of thicker pieces..giving them depth/ruggedness...whilst keeping a fairly flat surface.

Edit: (this is about my tenth edit, lol..my imagination is running wild. ) I'm now thinking these fine cracks/nooks/crannies for the fry could be everywhere, instead of just on the flat background area...under the ledges/cave walls, etc

This post has been edited by Gun: Aug 8 2008, 09:32 PM

A cool idea would be to have like 3 or 4 ledges like u have, with a lip on the front (kind of like a mini flower bed?) with eco-complete or whatever in and fill them with dwarf hairgrass!

Thanks for the ideas, johno I like your thinking 'mini flower bed'..I'm definitley thinking mini areas. If all goes well, fish will take up these mini areas as homes.

Yep, need some sort of raised edge along the edges of the ledges (wow..tonguetwister, lol!) Toying with the idea of using different colour sand on ledges.

I have some ideas in mind regarding the ledge areas.

I'm thinking maybe put small cave areas along the back and in the corners of these ledges. This way, different species of fish will have various hideouts/retreats at different levels of the aquarium. My aim is to provide each and every fish a place to retreat

Filling the areas: Mainly sand..might use a little gravel in places, then plants, driftwood and small rocks to complete.

Hi guys.

I've found sheets of polyboard at B&Q...can anybody confirm whether or not this is the right material for carving/creating backgrounds?

Poly (type polyboard in search)

Also, which expandable filler should I use? there are lots..(type expandable filler in search)

Filler

EDIT: Even better, if there is anybody out there that has had a go at something like this and knows where to purchase (all of) the materials needed to create a background.....

This post has been edited by Gun: Aug 10 2008, 02:28 AM

Id like one I saw on ebay that is for a juwel vision 180.. it makes the tank look 3d with a cave effect its realy wicked.. but its dear!!

There are some cheaper backgrounds on ebay too. .I wish I had the inclination and skill to have a go at making my own and wish you luck with yours..

Hi Tag2008.

After seeing some of those backgrounds on ebay..i think to myself why bother to make on. Going to give it a go though...as I don't see any with my ledge idea

Hi guys

I'm in the process of ordering some materials from B&Q.

I've covered the poly..but am a little confused as to which poly glue, silicon and expandable foam to buy...can you help me out guys? Just want to make sure the products are correct and water friendly.

I think this is all I will need at the moment, as I'm just building the main structure. If there's anything else I may need at this stage...please let me know

Here are the B&Q links..

glue

foam

silicone

Any advice on which products will do the job would be great, as I would really like to get these things ordered tonight.

Ps, about the glue. Something I can use to tack the structure/ledges and caves into place...before siliconing......?

Edit: the foam ideally will be sandable/carvable...?

This post has been edited by Gun: Aug 10 2008, 03:10 PM

Before you go any further you need to make sure the materials you use are safe for fish. I have not looked at all you links, but the silicone is general purpose and i fear it may contain ingedients that are harmful so i would recomment you look for specialist aquarium silicone. You also mentioned that you have used brown sticky tape. No sticky tape that i am away of can be put int he water. It will break down and come apart and could also be harmful for your pets.

Ultimately your fisnished project will have to be coated so the fish cannot nibble at it and break bits off.

"Before you go any further you need to make sure the materials you use are safe for fish. I have not looked at all you links, but the silicone is general purpose and i fear it may contain ingedients that are harmful so i would recomment you look for specialist aquarium silicone. You also mentioned that you have used brown sticky tape. No sticky tape that i am away of can be put int he water. It will break down and come apart and could also be harmful for your pets.

Ultimately your fisnished project will have to be coated so the fish cannot nibble at it and break bits off. "

Yep, need some glue and silicone that works fine with poly/glass/water and is ok for the fish. B&Q must sell it...I'm just poor at identifying these things... The sticky tape was used for practicing on a model.

About the coating. Haven't really thought of this yet. The main structure and how to create terrain is frying my brain, lol!

Ok at least I know where to get the poly from.