3d backgrounds

[SkeletalUnion]

Any thoughts on 3d backgrounds, anyone have one?
Regards

 

[Szepi]

I'm also interested in this question. 3D reef tank backgrounds are awesome but how practical are they?

 

[mcgyvr]

There are TONS of posts here about them..
Google exactly like this and read..
"3d background site:reefcentral.com"

 

[Szepi]

There are TONS of posts here about them..
Google exactly like this and read..
"3d background site:reefcentral.com"

Thx the help![emoji106]

 

[SFish]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1438807

I take it you mean 3D rock walls. I'm making one.

 

[Sk8r]

Everything gets coated with coralline spots anyway. RIght now my downflow box is pretty hard to id as anything but a spotty background, just like the rocks.

 

[SFish]

I'm also interested in this question. 3D reef tank backgrounds are awesome but how practical are they?

Not sure what you mean by practical. They can be made of all foam or rock and foam.

 

[Timfish]

What Sk8r said. Looking at how well corals stick to acrylic, plastic plugs and eggcrate don't see why they won't stick to the artificial background inserts available.

 

[Szepi]

Not sure what you mean by practical. They can be made of all foam or rock and foam.

I have built many fresh water background but not even a single reef tank background. I used polystyrene with white cement + water based paint but here probably wont work or I just dont know.

 

[whosurcaddie]

I used one for my BB tank. Looks more natural than just a peice of glass. Pic is before putting water in.

 

[SFish]

I have built many fresh water background but not even a single reef tank background. I used polystyrene with white cement + water based paint but here probably wont work or I just dont know.

Pond foam the black kind works really well. I have seen some other foam but don't know what it is. You can also buy inserts as well. Don't know about polystyrene. Search 3D backgrounds. You definitely want something that won't break down under UV light. If you make on post it.

Here's a guy that makes inserts

https://www.universalrocks.com/aquarium-reptile-pet/backgrounds/crevice-style

 

[Szepi]

I have checked a lot of threads and vid about 3d background using foam. Lot of them use silicone before they pour sand rock etc.. on the surface. is this method better than the epoxy or just different?

 

[SFish]

Never heard of that before but mine is a mix of rock, foam, sand, and crushed coral. I used epoxy my self. I'm sure there is more then one way to make one of these walls. Wonder how silicone works. I know you can pour the sand right on to the foam if you do it before it starts to harden. I don't know to much about the all foam walls. Make sure it's bonded to the glass well. I saw somewhere about all foam walls floating (LOL).

 

[Szepi]

I'm going to do your method with the epoxy. If something works don't change it

 

[SFish]

Not really my method just what every one else did before me don't know who figured it out.