3D Background for 6ft 125 gal
- Thread starter keeones23
- Start date
PokeSephiroth
Member
i actually bought a designs by nature deal awhile back as sort of a test to see how i would like a 3d BG and how it would hold up over time. i have to say not only was the guy who runs designs by nature awesome to deal with but its a local business. apparently its just one guy who goes out on hikes and such and takes molds of rock outcroppings that he likes. theyre also super cheap (if you get the precut ones and make em fit at least)
PokeSephiroth
Member
wait, I didn't know that designs by nature was local...
when you say local, do you mean, in Washington?
when you say local, do you mean, in Washington?
cichlid-gal
New Member
I have a Designs by Nature 3D background in one of my 20G long tanks. I bought it off of Amazon...great price for the small one. Bigger get more expensive. There are a number of makers. Here's a few more links (just click em) to research and get ideas from:
Universal rocks
Aquaterra
More Aquaterra
and my tank and background
Universal rocks
Aquaterra
More Aquaterra
and my tank and background
TheFishPimp
Member
Build one yourself...You'll not regret it. I showed my wife some pics and a few examples, built her a hot knife and got her the foam. she LOVED it.
TFP
exact same dimensions as you
TFP
exact same dimensions as you
aclockworkorange
New Member
Hey guys, local member here, I'm sure a few of you have met me in person. I have been a long time designs by nature customer and became friends with the owner over the years and have started helping him out with the massive volume of online inquiries he gets--we both work "normal" jobs and with family and fish tanks and it's a lot for one guy to do EVERYTHING. I have installed more of these than anyone so just let me know if you have any questions.
Just to clarify a few posts, the warehouse space is in Eugene, OR. There's a Facebook page that runs promos and stuff. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Designs-by-Nature/122796051103554
On price and installation... It's a solid product. DIY is awesome, but if I'm honest, most guys (me included) just don't have the ability to make them look as realistic as you'd probably want (much less worry about using the right materials and the mess)...
Here are a couple of mine:
Another local member, JK47:
The pieces are museum quality and are used in big public aquariums. Georgia Aquarium (one of the largest aquariums in the world) is using them now in several tanks.
Price depends on design and detail. The material and paints/oxides used are expensive right off the bat. 5 years ago your options were pretty much limited to importing from Europe, shipping alone was several hundred dollars, and the backgrounds themselves cost 2-3x as much.
Panels are the cheapest route, they are 32x21" and 1-2" thick and connect to each other for any length (can be turned sideways to cover up to a 32" tall tank). You can do a 55-75 gallon for about $80 and a 125 for around $100. Deluxe models--more detail means more material, which means a higher price, still the most expensive you'll find is around $300.
DBN is also the NW distributor of Universal Rocks (linked to before), so anything from them DBN can get you and probably save a bit on shipping. Their stuff is pretty much all one color and all flexible material, very nice for some applications. Their wood and rock pieces are also top notch, I have several at home.
One last thing to consider is if you do get one, and go to sell the tank later, it really does increase the resale value and appeal by a lot. I sold a fancy Fluval tank with one last year to a Craigslist guy for three times what I paid for the entire setup. Something to butter up the wife with I guess--"honey, it's a good investment!"
If you guys made it this far in my post (sorry for rambling, I had coffee at lunch and I don't drink coffee), if you want to order something before the month is over I will get you a discount with the owner. Just hit me up on private message.
Just to clarify a few posts, the warehouse space is in Eugene, OR. There's a Facebook page that runs promos and stuff. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Designs-by-Nature/122796051103554
On price and installation... It's a solid product. DIY is awesome, but if I'm honest, most guys (me included) just don't have the ability to make them look as realistic as you'd probably want (much less worry about using the right materials and the mess)...
Here are a couple of mine:
Another local member, JK47:
The pieces are museum quality and are used in big public aquariums. Georgia Aquarium (one of the largest aquariums in the world) is using them now in several tanks.
Price depends on design and detail. The material and paints/oxides used are expensive right off the bat. 5 years ago your options were pretty much limited to importing from Europe, shipping alone was several hundred dollars, and the backgrounds themselves cost 2-3x as much.
Panels are the cheapest route, they are 32x21" and 1-2" thick and connect to each other for any length (can be turned sideways to cover up to a 32" tall tank). You can do a 55-75 gallon for about $80 and a 125 for around $100. Deluxe models--more detail means more material, which means a higher price, still the most expensive you'll find is around $300.
DBN is also the NW distributor of Universal Rocks (linked to before), so anything from them DBN can get you and probably save a bit on shipping. Their stuff is pretty much all one color and all flexible material, very nice for some applications. Their wood and rock pieces are also top notch, I have several at home.
One last thing to consider is if you do get one, and go to sell the tank later, it really does increase the resale value and appeal by a lot. I sold a fancy Fluval tank with one last year to a Craigslist guy for three times what I paid for the entire setup. Something to butter up the wife with I guess--"honey, it's a good investment!"
If you guys made it this far in my post (sorry for rambling, I had coffee at lunch and I don't drink coffee), if you want to order something before the month is over I will get you a discount with the owner. Just hit me up on private message.
aclockworkorange
New Member
The website is getting updated in the next week or two, there are quite a few new models not on there yet. Have to get good photos of them before they can go up. But there is always something that can work with just about any sized tank. Just send an email though the website or on here. I also don't mind talking to any fish box members on the phone about them, that includes selection and also walking you through an install once you get one. Heck, you make it worth my while and I might just hand deliver it to you and install it myself. 
aclockworkorange
New Member
I would just do three of those panels I was talking about. It will be cheap and easy. There's like a dozen different designs in stock.
PokeSephiroth
Member
Man, those backgrounds look so nice. I've been eyeballing those 3D Backgrounds for the longest time, ever since I saw UaruJoey's review on it. Mmmm... been oogling for one ever since!
aclockworkorange
New Member
I start school again in a few weeks, I hear you Shawn. You should all "like" the Facebook page, there are going to be a number of contests in the next couple weeks and a big give-away when it hits 1000 likes. A panel was given away last night.