My Shadowbox Background Project

[Tracey2]

Thanks euromomtx, is the tank glass or acrylic or does that matter? So the light is above and behind the hanging sheets right? Would this light work?
http://www.goreef.com/CoralVue-MoonVue-36-Retrofit-LED-Tube.html

 

[euromomtx]

It looks like it's blue. I like to get the color from the sheets (many more choices than led blue colors) and combine them with white lights rather than blue lights.
But yes it's that sort of light.

 

[noobtothereef]

Thought I would share an updated pic. The shadowbox really makes it look like the real deal...

holy shiznit serpentman......... any photos of the build? Id really like to see how you did yours, that picture really makes me want to build one...

 

[madmike]

I thought I would add mine to this thread, its hard to get a good picture because the tank is 12 feet long, lol. Thanks for the ideas everyone, these are great!

 

[euromomtx]

Fantastic! (and of course we're all jealous of that 12ft tank!)

 

[madmike]

And im jealous of that gorg tank, it is beautiful!

 

[hamiltonguy]

Well here's my version of the shadowbox, sorry for the terrible picture. Will get a better one once it's set up behind the tank.

 

[OneReef]

Would the hardboard be needed in the box? Just curious if the scuffed up/frosted acrylic would hide the grain on the plywood back, cutting out a step in the build process. Just paint it all on the plywood back, and have the buffed up acrylic in front with the light shining between the two. Just thinking out loud.....

 

[euromomtx]

I skipped that step at first!
And then I saw it looked horrid.
It probably depends how grainy you are making your acrylic though. With the way I frosted mine the plywood grain was just atrocious.
So rather than saving time and money I got to do it twice and use up twice as much spray paint.
It all depends on the grain I am sure. If you are going for super grainy on the acrylic then there has got to be a 'grainy enough' to not show anything through.

 

[OneReef]

I skipped that step at first!
And then I saw it looked horrid.
It probably depends how grainy you are making your acrylic though. With the way I frosted mine the plywood grain was just atrocious.
So rather than saving time and money I got to do it twice and use up twice as much spray paint.
It all depends on the grain I am sure. If you are going for super grainy on the acrylic then there has got to be a 'grainy enough' to not show anything through.

Thanks for the reply. I am in the process of building a new tank and glad I came across this thread. I am going to try some form of it. I would love some depth perception for my tank.

 

[euromomtx]

I'd love to see what you come up with

 

[mrabolli]

Ive been tossing around the idea of a HD flat screen behind a tank? Plays a blu-ray morning to dusk on a loop. I wouldn't know where one could find a DVD like that and would probably involve finding a good coral head scene from say an Imax film and trying to edit it on a computer to get a loop. Anyway beside that difficulty what about the TV idea?

 

[TheFishMan65]

Sound like $$$

 

[euromomtx]

keep in mind anything behind the tank will end up darker and duller than straight on.
I kind of like to keep the focus on what's in the tank and the endless background idea is just a way to enhance what's IN the tank. To me a TV in the background would distract.
But I am sure it's a personal perference.
Also saltwater so close to electrics may be as concern

 

[dainiusiva]

It has been done. And with great results i must say.

Have a look:

It is Villa F by Najjar Najjar architects.

 

[LeviTillie]

dainiusiva .....WOW..... enough said

 

[96p993]

I skipped that step at first!
And then I saw it looked horrid.
It probably depends how grainy you are making your acrylic though. With the way I frosted mine the plywood grain was just atrocious.
So rather than saving time and money I got to do it twice and use up twice as much spray paint.
It all depends on the grain I am sure. If you are going for super grainy on the acrylic then there has got to be a 'grainy enough' to not show anything through.

Euro I have looked at all the pics of your tank and I love the look...My question comes from not seeing it in person, Im concerned whether it looks artificial when looking at it in person. Do you still get the depth from being right in front of the tank??

 

[dogstar74]

Ive been tossing around the idea of a HD flat screen behind a tank? Plays a blu-ray morning to dusk on a loop. I wouldn't know where one could find a DVD like that and would probably involve finding a good coral head scene from say an Imax film and trying to edit it on a computer to get a loop. Anyway beside that difficulty what about the TV idea?

There is no way to tell if this would "look cool", or "cool the look". Meaning, while the REFLECTIVE light from this light box simulates the deep particles floating in an open sea water that also reflect the light. The Television would EMIT light and thus the reflection would aim toward the back of the tank. Thus instead of augmenting the look you're going for, the particulate in the water would diminish the screen picture, and I feel it would look more like you accidentally, dropped your TV in your fish tank.

Again you'll never know until you try, and with the space for a TV back there, you'd definately have enough room to convert to the light box, should the TV not give the desired effect. Just Play sponge Bob when the kids are over.

Cheers,
Aaron

 

[Allmost]

It has been done. And with great results i must say.

Have a look:

It is Villa F by Najjar Najjar architects.

WOW !!! need more pics /info on this tank ! the room looks amazing !

 

[northbay-reefer]

I added a light regular small 15-25 watt bulb in the center back of the tank and create a sunset. That idea would go very well with your shadow box.