biological backgrounds and DIY

[Aquarijen]

Hi All,

I finished and installed my background in my big tank about a month ago. I
used vinyl gutter screens (just like this:
http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=12119-339-451 but
instead in brown) and I attached them together vertically with black plastic
wire ties to make three sheets 2ftx2ft. I then individually siliconed (with
GE silicone I) lava rocks to these mesh sheets. It will stand up on it's
own (it doesn't slouch because of the ridges in the gutter guard material)
and I hold it to the back of the tank with U shaped clips I made from
plastic-covered wire hangers. I was then able to put the filter intakes and
outgos and heaters *behind* it because it has so many holes that it is
basically porus. Water flows through it very well. This was not intended
when I made this background - I was using stuff I had laying around in my
garage and I was using lava rocks that were left over from the big bag - the
same as I use for biological media in my canister filters. It was after I
had it done that I realized it would be safe to put the filter stuff and
heaters behind it.
So I was thinking about it today.
Does my background double as a giant biological filter?
I have more tanks that need backgrounds.
Then I thought of how tedius it was to silicone all those little rocks to
the mesh and thought about...
What if I used the gutter mesh as a backing and then carved large pore (dye
it or start with dark colored) sponge material in a rough shape of rocks and
embellished it with safe paint... or...? Or would the fish eat the sponge?
Or what else could I cover the gutter mesh with - it certainly seems to be
*ideal* for this application... I am brainstorming.

What are some other ideas to make nice looking backgrounds that can hide
filtration equipment and possibly provide biological filtration?

Have fun with this!
-Jen

[Aquarijen]

"Aquarijen" > wrote in message
...
> Hi All,
>
> I finished and installed my background in my big tank about a month ago.
> I used vinyl gutter screens (just like this:
> http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=12119-339-451 but
> instead in brown) and I attached them together vertically with black
> plastic wire ties to make three sheets 2ftx2ft. I then individually
> siliconed (with GE silicone I) lava rocks to these mesh sheets. It will
> stand up on it's own (it doesn't slouch because of the ridges in the
> gutter guard material) and I hold it to the back of the tank with U shaped
> clips I made from plastic-covered wire hangers. I was then able to put the
> filter intakes and outgos and heaters *behind* it because it has so many
> holes that it is basically porus. Water flows through it very well. This
> was not intended when I made this background - I was using stuff I had
> laying around in my garage and I was using lava rocks that were left over
> from the big bag - the same as I use for biological media in my canister
> filters. It was after I had it done that I realized it would be safe to
> put the filter stuff and heaters behind it.
> So I was thinking about it today.
> Does my background double as a giant biological filter?
> I have more tanks that need backgrounds.
> Then I thought of how tedius it was to silicone all those little rocks to
> the mesh and thought about...
> What if I used the gutter mesh as a backing and then carved large pore
> (dye it or start with dark colored) sponge material in a rough shape of
> rocks and embellished it with safe paint... or...? Or would the fish eat
> the sponge? Or what else could I cover the gutter mesh with - it certainly
> seems to be *ideal* for this application... I am brainstorming.
>
> What are some other ideas to make nice looking backgrounds that can hide
> filtration equipment and possibly provide biological filtration?
>
> Have fun with this!
> -Jen

Just thought of another possibility...
One could attach plastic plants with plastic wire ties to the mesh.. Or a
combination of rocks and plants...

-Jen is talking to herself...

[Aquarijen]

"Aquarijen" > wrote in message news:cl6g28$ok2
>> What if I used the gutter mesh as a backing and then carved large pore
>> (dye it or start with dark colored) sponge material in a rough shape of
>> rocks and embellished it with safe paint... or...? Or would the fish eat
>> the sponge? Or what else could I cover the gutter mesh with - it
>> certainly seems to be *ideal* for this application... I am
>> brainstorming.
>>
>> What are some other ideas to make nice looking backgrounds that can hide
>> filtration equipment and possibly provide biological filtration?
>>
>> Have fun with this!
>> -Jen
>
> Just thought of another possibility...
> One could attach plastic plants with plastic wire ties to the mesh.. Or a
> combination of rocks and plants...
>
> -Jen is talking to herself...
>
>

The foam I am thinking of is reticulated polyether...
-Jen talking to herself again.

[Mr Happy]

I used small children to stick on the gravel

They thought it was art especially when they got to spray stuff
with sealant and paint things grey with flecks of yellow and green

I knew they had uses - it has taken some time to find out exactly
what they are good for. They also build good caves by siliconing
rocks together and make good papier mache rocks and caves out of
wire and newspaper

I recommend them to anyone with a number of tanks

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[sophie]

In message >, Mr Happy
> writes
>I used small children to stick on the gravel
>
>They thought it was art especially when they got to spray stuff
>with sealant and paint things grey with flecks of yellow and green
>
>I knew they had uses - it has taken some time to find out exactly
>what they are good for. They also build good caves by siliconing
>rocks together and make good papier mache rocks and caves out of
>wire and newspaper
>
>I recommend them to anyone with a number of tanks

they also have bedrooms you can put tanks in. and a tendency to lecture
hapless visitees on why they Aren't Looking After Their Goldfish
properly, which is great, as kids can get away with this kind of stuff
in a way that adults can't.

--
sophie

[Aquarijen]

"Mr Happy" > wrote in message
.. .
>I used small children to stick on the gravel
>
> They thought it was art especially when they got to spray stuff
> with sealant and paint things grey with flecks of yellow and green
>
> I knew they had uses - it has taken some time to find out exactly
> what they are good for. They also build good caves by siliconing
> rocks together and make good papier mache rocks and caves out of
> wire and newspaper
>
> I recommend them to anyone with a number of tanks


LOL, at first I read this as you stuck small children to the back of your
tanks. :)
-Jen

[Kepytan]

"Aquarijen" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Mr Happy" > wrote in message
> .. .
> >I used small children to stick on the gravel
>
> LOL, at first I read this as you stuck small children to the back of your
> tanks. :)
> -Jen
>
>

Im glad to know Im not the only one who read it that way.. :)

[2pods]

"Kepytan" > wrote in message
nk.net...
>
> "Aquarijen" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "Mr Happy" > wrote in message
>> .. .
>> >I used small children to stick on the gravel
>>
>> LOL, at first I read this as you stuck small children to the back of your
>> tanks. :)
>> -Jen
>>

May as well get some use out of them ;-)
<runs for cover/>