20 Gallon Tank Background diy

I've seen a lot of the 3d backgrounds including the awesome ones on here, but I don't have/want to wait for the dry time and whatnot, especially since there is a fish already in the tank and I don't have anywhere to safely keep it until everything is set.

I was looking at the background on the 20 and it is a nice planted background with a log across the middle. I was wondering what others would think of a drift wood background.

1. It would allow for the fish to still swim in and out of it while providing hiding places.
2. It could hide the filter while still allowing it to work as inteneded.
3. I could put plants on/in it without worrying about the roots wrecking the styrofoam.
4. Easily removable as it wouldn't be attached to the glass.

Any other thoughts on this? Right now we have a lonely cardinal in here with 1 fake plant, colorful ceramic decoration and some slate rock for hiding. I do NOT want to buy it more friends until we get a better setup with more hiding spots.

Thanks for the help,
Outlaw

 

You could go online and find one. I'm not sure though.

 

I haven't found any decent ones for sale and what I pictured "upstairs" seems like it would be cool. lol

The tank isn't a standard 20Gal. It is a Odyssea cube-20

 

hey outlaw, I have a project coming up that I planon using a background so I have this link saved in my favorites at the moment.

Although, I do think what you have above would be cool.

 

Thanks. I'll have to look around and see if there is anything in my dimensions.

 

Good link Disc. I'm always looking for inspiration for backgrounds. Going to try a DIY styro eventually. Outlaw, I like the idea of the driftwood set up all over the back of the tank. The points you made are all good ones.

 

Thx. I'll have to stop at the pet store to see what they have and how much it would cost to do. I would need to get new substrate for live plants to mix with the current plus probably a new heater with a longer cord

There is a few things I need for this to happen. It definitely won't be fast.

Need to Get:
Plant substrate
drift wood
heater w/6' plus cord
surge strip with 6' plus cord
more fish
air hose
air regulator valve
and probably some other misc stuff I forgot.

Thanks,
Outlaw

 

hmm... I rather like the idea of actual driftwood for the background. Kind'a as if the section of 'river' that is the tank backs up against a beaver dam. I'll have to go looking for a bunch of wood when I am at the lake this summer, that I can 'tie' together with fishing line

 

Ill probably be buying some stuff for the tank with my youngest. They like helping with this stuff. Stopped there today and they had some good pieces of two tone which should go good with the black substrate and fish colors.

 

Got the wood home and soaking now for about 30min. Tannins are pretty bad right now. Here's some pics of the wood. I would have had one of how I wanted it while it was stacked in the store but my daughter decided she wanted to shake the cart. lol

All the wood we bought today.


All the wood soaking for about 30min (tank light on).


All the wood soaking for about 30min (tank light off).


All the wood soaking for about 30min (angle shot tank light off).

 

Can't wait to see how it looks all set up!

 

Me either. I'll probably let it soak a few days to get most of the tannins out then start putting into the tank since it won't hurt the fish. I could then just add some carbon to remove more of the color from the tank.


*update*
wood was soaking about 24hrs when I changed it. Here are some pics.

Close-up of tank water before change.


Tank shot of water before change.


Tank after a splash of fresh water.

 

Added the wood to the tank. Continued this over in the freshwater tank pictures.