patrick Posted September 27, 2008 Report Share Posted September 27, 2008 (edited) Here we go again. This time I will install a 48x24 AquaTerra Canyon Rock in a 90 gallon tank. Here is the tank First I will remove the top frame. I am using a hobby knife to seperate the silicone from the frame. I am carefully bending the frame to loosen the silicone The frame is coming off Scraping off the old silicone Since the inner measurements on a 48" tank never is 48" the background needs to be trimmed down. I cut it about 1/4-1/2 inch shorter to allow for silicone to be applied in between. This is easily done with a hand saw. Fine tuning with a small surform plane I am marking out where I will cut out for the frame. This isn't really a must. You can just cut it flush to fit underneath, but doing it this way will ensure that the lid will be tight against the background preventing small fish from being able to jump behind. A dremel tool is very handy to have but this can also be done with a saw and a hobby knife. I trim the bottom corners of the background so the siliconed edges of the tank does not interfere with the background sitting flat on the bottom of the tank. Edited September 27, 2008 by patrick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrick Posted September 27, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2008 Minor adjustments I also need to trim the height of the background about 1/2" Once again I am using the hand saw. Trimming the top of the background The background is in the tank and the top frame has been placed on top to make sure it fits properly. Next is to prepare for filtration and other equipment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slough Shark Posted September 27, 2008 Report Share Posted September 27, 2008 Very nice once again Patrick. Can't wait to see this one in use, I want to use it on my 50 gallon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrick Posted September 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2008 The overflow has been cut out at the top left. A grill has been cut. In place and glued. Main intake at the bottom left. Yet another grill has been cut. Both grills in place. The exposed edges of the background has been painted with black silicone. Sand has been added to the silicone. A piece of media sheet has been cut to fit in front of the grill. This will work as a pre-filter and prevent fry from being sucked in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JORG Posted September 29, 2008 Report Share Posted September 29, 2008 nice job Patrick ---I see you thoroughly thought this out before proceeding. But I am wondering why you had to remove the trim couldn't the background be cut to fit flush without removing it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrick Posted September 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2008 nice job Patrick ---I see you thoroughly thought this out before proceeding. But I am wondering why you had to remove the trim couldn't the background be cut to fit flush without removing it? The background can be cut in half and then re-assembled in the tank. You can't get it in with the center brace in place. I decided against cutting the background because it's so easy to remove the trim. I think it took me 5-10 minutes to get it off. It is also easier to clean and work inside the tank with the trim off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JORG Posted September 29, 2008 Report Share Posted September 29, 2008 Yeah makes sense now never thought about the center brace----Duh and I have 7- 90's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrick Posted September 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2008 Yeah makes sense now never thought about the center brace----Duh and I have 7- 90's 7x10 minutes = 1 hour and 10 minutes to remove them all. Not too bad. When are you placing the order? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrick Posted September 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2008 (edited) Drilling holes for filter outtake. There will be three holes, one for a XP3 and two more for an internal pump that will be installed behind the background. Making sure it fits Some silicone has been smeared inside the hole. This will create great friction to keep the outtake real nice and snug. From the front. Edited September 29, 2008 by patrick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrick Posted September 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2008 (edited) I will run two filter systems on this tank. One external XP3 and one internal using the space behind the background. This is not really necessary, one will do fine with just the one behind the background, but I figure I'll do it this way for demonstration purposes. This is the pump I am going to use. Here is how it's going to work. Edited September 29, 2008 by patrick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrick Posted September 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2008 (edited) Tiime to get it siliconed in place. Once I have the background where I want it I outline it with a marker pen. I then apply silicone behind the line. The background is being inserted into the tank. I fill silicone into the 1/8 - 1/4 inch gap on each side. The silicone has been smeared out and sand has been tossed onto it. Side view of the left and right side. As you can see I could have glued the background closer to the back if I had chosen to go with the canister filter only, but I still have an average of 13-14 inches available in the tank. The background is in place, sorry about the reflections on the glass... Edited September 29, 2008 by patrick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slough Shark Posted September 29, 2008 Report Share Posted September 29, 2008 Looks great Patrick. I may have to do this with my 90 or 50 as well, that way I won't have to waste as much money on filtration. What victorians are going in this one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrick Posted September 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2008 Looks great Patrick. I may have to do this with my 90 or 50 as well, that way I won't have to waste as much money on filtration.What victorians are going in this one? Thanks. Yes you can definaltely save some money on filtration. The RIO 6HF was less than $40 and pumps 350 gallon/hour. The plumbing was around $10 and then it's just the media. I am going to use media sheets and sponge cylinders which will cost around $15-$20 in total. I have not decided yet what to put in it. Rock dwelling vic's from the Mbipi group would make most sense, 2-3 species. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveDude77 Posted September 29, 2008 Report Share Posted September 29, 2008 Wow, that looks awesome. Amazing work patrick. :thumbs: Very well installed and planned. I was looking into these backgrounds but they're too big for my 32G and besides that, HOLY COW are they expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firestorm Posted September 30, 2008 Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 Great work Patrick. I love the look of those backgrounds, but as dave has said, they are pretty expensive. Dave, there are videos for DIY backgrounds....they just might not look quite as good as these ones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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