Belgianbiscuit

Thanks Stuart, I think the flow will be fine. I have catered for some overspill at top of tree and have drilled vent holes discretely all over the tree. I have a question regarding pH for you fish lovers. Seems like Palmy water is around 7.0 to 7.5 which is probably ok. I have been refilling my tank now everyday with water since Wednesday. Initially my pH was about 8.5 in tank then a little less. I am using a test kit with drops and a vial. I then added an old filter which only has a carbon cartridge in it and I think this has actually increased my pH. I am not sure how good the carbon still is so I may buy some new stuff today as a fellow member told me it should help. I was wondering how long it would normally take for the pH to go down after installing a DIY background and do I actually replace water everyday? Or would I be better of to leave it for a few days? What I am trying to do now is just ensure that the background is not putting anything harmful in water. I haven't started cycling process. Cheers

Thanks Spoon, I was a bit worried about water behind background but I have a wee bit of flow and it drains nicely when I do water change. No way it will get stagnant. Will see if I can get my hands of some carbon this weekend. Cheers

Hi, I bought a brand new canister filter that I am planning on using. I guess you answered the question by saying that I have to take filter media out :-) I still have a big internal filter that I can use. Will attach one of missus' pantyhose's to it. Cheers

So I have filled my tank up with water and will be refreshing it every day until I get the PH down. Looks like it is anywhere between 8 and 8.5 after first day. When I emptied tank I got rid of some background residue so am hopeful it is somewhat lower today. I was wondering when I should attach my filter? Any point in doing it now? Or shall I just wait until PH is more or less right and have added gravel etc? Cheers

Thanks Spoon, That thought had crossed my mind but never bothered trying it :-) I may give it a go. I could of course put big fish in it that won't fit in gap ;-) While we are on the subject, I think it will be very hard to stop some water to get in between glass and background. Will this be much of an issue? I saw there was a bit of a gap in the silicone I put at the bottom of background. I am hoping it allows for a bit of flow so it is not stagnant. Really nothing I can do about that one unless I want to break background and start again. And that is not going to happen!! cheers

Haha, you are not the first one to say that. I am hoping the Moa look will vanish a bit when there is gravel or sand between the toes ;-)

Here a few pictures. This is after the last layer of concrete This is my tree trunk This is what it looks like after the resin has been applied. Not the greatest of pictures and will try to get a better one The resin gives it a bit of a honey glaze look and made oxide bleed a bit. I just have to deal with a pesky gap I have and then I can slowly start the cycling process

I have a bit of a gap in between my tree trunk and background that may be big enough for a neon to get through. Unfortunatelly it is in an awkward position that I can't get to with caulkin gun. I was thinking about using a thin piece of plastic but that did not really work My design turns out to be not overly practical :-)

Thanks guys, This is very useful. Haven't made up my mind totally but am leaning towards gravel. I assume best place to go is local pet shop? And if I decided to go for sand, what should I buy (and where)? Cheers

I was wondering what is best to use, sand or gravel? I am planning to keep quite a few neons and some apistos. I never have used sand before but I think it may be harder to keep clean. Cheers

Bought the ADOS resine. At $56 it was definitely pricey but may be worth it in the long run. Does not seem to affect the foam but did make the concrete coloring bleed a bit which actually created a great effect. I also mixed some resine with oxide to do some touch ups which worked fine too. I guess just using resine with oxide and no cement would work too but I'd expect you need two layers and that will be costly. Cheers

Any thoughts on ADOS all purpose resin? It seem to be classed as food grade so I'd assume that is will be safe to use in aquarium? http://www.crc.co.nz/Food-Grade-Adhesives--Sealants--Fillers-Epoxy-Resins/p1/All-Purpose-Resin-i77f025ef-a10c-43a5-9f4c-bdd5bc897419-6748.htm

Probably a good idea Sophia :-) My apologies for cross posting What would be the best way to avoid stagnation and provide optimal flow? Maybe some holes in the tree (with a grate to stop fish)? Or would have opening of tree under water level do? Also thinking about placing air stone near heater as that should move heat around. Have placed another layer, with oxide this time. Will post another pic once all coloring done. Definitely will use a sealer too. Just trying to determine what is best product. Cheers

Thanks guys, Here is a top view of tree where I was thinking of putting heater and intake. If I cut the back away I will have 8 x 6 cm space. Not sure how good this would be in regards of flow? If water level is higher than tree would this ensure a good flow? I am thinking about putting outlet on side of tank. The heater and intake would be in the middle of tank. I am thinking about leaving a gap between trunk and back sheet or would it be better to make some holes in tree? I have started a thread documenting my background which may give you a better idea. http://www.fnzas.org.nz/fishroom/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=58285 Cheers

Hi all, Thought I would share some pictures of the background that I am creating and pick your brains on a few matters. I'd also like to thank Bell for sharing some of her experience. As I work in IT I have access to a lot of polystyrene packaging. However, these come in odd shapes so I had to find some sheets for the background. If you are from the Manawatu, give Lanwoods a call. They have heaps. I bought a $19 heat gun from bunnigs and also made use of some Sika foam to fill in gaps. I used Cemix cement and Selleys silicone (aquarium safe). Here is what it currently looks like. This is after one layer of cement. Hoping to do the second layer tomorrow. Waiting for my oxide to arrive so I can add some color I decided to attempt to make a tree trunk as well. I'd like to place the heater and/or the filter intake in there. Not sure how this will affect the flow. This is currently the top view. I am thinking about removing part of the back sheet so that the space is bigger. This would give me a space of 8 x 6 cm and allow me to stick heater against glass.

Hi, I am attempting to build my own 3D background (polystyrene, foam, concrete). I have also created a tree trunk and I wanted to hide the heater and intake filter tube behind it (I am planning to buy canister filter). I was wondering if it is ok to have heater right next to intake and also how much space I would need around heater and intake? The end of intake would be sitting near the bottom of the tree trunk and the water would be flowing in at the top of tree trunk (approx 35 cm). Is this ok or should I make holes in my tree trunk closer to the intake? Bit hard to explain so hopefully it make sense....

Found some nice pieces on Himatangi Beach. Can I assume they are all good to use? I don't know anything about wood but they are not all the same type. Some of them seem to chip their outer layer easier than others. Also, not sure which one of them would rot. Cheers

Some people made the suggesting of sealing it and I see references to epoxy resin. Is this something I can buy from Bunnings? Not familiar with it. Any particular brands?

Awesome, did you use normal cement or something else? What sealant did you use? Cheers

Thanks, I may investigate eternal filter. Any recommendations in regards to brand etc? Are they actually noisy? You mean sealed the background? No just mix cement with water and brushed it on. Needs more layers as I can still see foam here and there. So what should I seal it with? And I assume that would be done last and not before cement goes on? Cheers

Hi, As anyone made a 3D background themselves? I looked at a few videos. Is it OK to just the cement you buy at Bunnings/Mitre 10 or should I use something else? I cut my foam rocks and brushed the cement on. I made a running mix of cement and water and need to add another coat. Not sure how well this will stick. Do you need to add something else has a final layer? I pretty much started wit cutting the foam in the shape I wanted and rough them up with wire brush or a steel pot sponge. I glued rocks together with selleys (aquarium proof) Any comments most appreciated.

Hi, I haven't posted on forum for a while as I was still looking for tank. I now found one that suits me and I am ready to start preparation. My tank is about 1200 x 450 x380. (205 liters) Initially I was thinking to build an internal filter compartment on the left hand side. Something similar to this http://www.aqua-fish.net/imgs/articles/internal-filter.png Now the tank came with an internal filter aquarworld 1200 and am now wondering if I should go with internal filter or use the aquar world one? Or maybe I can built the internal filter compartment and part of the aquarworld 1200. http://www.theaquariumcompany.com.au/pages/products/product/1200-aquarworld-internal-filter-sd/ What would be the best option? Or should I look at a different option all together such as an external filter that I can hide in the stand? Other than that I want to make my 3D background. I started building one a while ago and followed instructions I found on Google. Can I put this in when I am ready and start filtration/cycling process or would I do this in different stages i.e have the background in the water for a long period of time before I start filtering so I ensure no cement comes off? Any other tips welcome :-)

Thanks guys, @Bilbo, noticed you are from Bulls. Where do you get your fish from? Palmy shops are limited when it comes to Apistos :-) Cheers

No tank yet. Looking for one as we speak but already make most of this forum to gather info. Looking to have a few apistos and a bunch of tetras :-)

Hi, I was wondering which apistos would live in peace with a couple of Ramirezi? Planning to get a 200 liter tank and was wondering to get 6 or so apistos in there. Other fish will be mainly tetras. Reason I'd say Ramirezi is because I like them and easy to find locally. Cheers