Backgrounds

[biggin]

Just thinking about backgrounds…. I am not sure I really like any of the options out there…. I way to impatient to build my own… Not a huge fan of painting, there is not a color I really like….the plastic ones just kind of irk me they do not really make sense for some reason…. $100+ for a background that looks nice…. Maybe some day when I am feeling generous….

What are your thoughts? Maybe there is something I left out….

[ElijahTurtle]

I have toyed with both Corkboard & Cork Bark as background options for planted tanks. I started doing the Corkbark on a 10G once. I've seen a few done by FishGeeks memberes & they are pretty cool. They'v started making trimmed pieces, back when I was trying it they didn't have them like that & there were gaps to fill behind the bark so I gave up.
Basically the concept is to siliicone cork flats to the back glass. Either all the way across or just in sections. In my design, it would have just been parts of the back, the rest was going to be black silicone with textured marks in it. It makes great places to plant java ferns, anubias & java moss plants. It also provides roughage for any plecos to chew on.
I was afraid to do the corkboard since I didn't know what kind of glue they used for it, but my thoughts on that was just to cover the entire back with Christmas moss & let it grow on the corkboard.

Here's the supplier I got the cork flats from Black Jungle Here's what you want to use if you try this: Virgin Cork Plaque (http://www.blackjungle.com/blackjungle/prods/CP-3.html)

Don't get this: Cork Flat (http://www.blackjungle.com/blackjungle/prods/CF-M.html) This is what I originally got, it is more difficult to work since it isn't completley flat & the gaps behind it could be a danger to small fish that might get trapped.

[biggin]

Interesting idea... I had not thought about that.

[ElijahTurtle]

Yeah it's a really easy idea to pull off.
Tips I would recomend:

Don't make the cork go all the way to the bottom. You don't want your gravel covering it. It might rot under neath the gravel. I never found anyone who mentioned this happening to them, but it just seems logical to me.
Leave gaps in the cork on the back wall for filter down tubes & heater or other equipment.Check this out (http://www.plantgeek.net/article_viewer.php?id=13)

Another idea I had were to cover the back wall in a layer of silicone & then coat it with just about anything like sand, slate, gravel, shells, ceramic tiles, drift wood, pictures of your victims, etc. LOL J/K about the victims:hehe:

Or you could make a Moss wall using plastic grid & suction cups. This is by far going to be the cheapest method to use. The only downside is I'm not real fond of the way java moss grows. It's kind of wild in it's growth patterns. IMO Christmas moss is the next best looking moss out there that is rediily avalible. It has more structure to it's growth. But it's also more expensive.
Like this (http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/plants/leong_Moss_Wall.html)
Or This (http://www.killies.com/AquaticMosses01/MossTaiwan031.jpg)
Or even this (http://www.killies.com/AquaticMosses01/MossErect021.jpg)
Ok I think you've got the idea LOL

I'm really into the idea of "live backgrounds" in case you haven't noticed. Not many peopleare doing this yet. Not even me, but it's someting I would do to any of my tanks. Not many people in the US are doing this, So far it seems this has really only caught on in other countries.

[poel_19]

blake i wanna come over and watch/help with this...it sounds really awesome and has given me a butt ton of ideas!!

[ElijahTurtle]

it...has given me a butt ton of ideas!!
:feint: OMG That's alot of butt! :feint:

:moon::rofl:

[AndrewH]

I even considered a Cork Bark back wall for my tank, but got side tracked on the concrete backgrounds and never came back to the cork idea.

The concrete just isnt' going to work so now the Cork option is looking even better then ever.

If you don't mind me asking... How much did you pay for the bark you used?

[fatfutures]

I love the cork bark idea! How long will this stuff last, any idea?

[AndrewH]

I would think it's like using peat. It'll break down over time (a long time), but if you have a nice moss wall and something for the moss to "hang" on after the cork is gone it shouldn't be a problem.

Like combine the mesh with suction cups and cork bark ideas. Attache the cork bark to the mesh and then the moss to the cork bark.

[biggin]

As long as everything is under water I would think the cork would last as long as you would want it to.

I think I will try it on my next setup.

[ElijahTurtle]

Well the cork is pretty buoyant, so I don't think suction cups will hold. The cork will last quite a while. I just don't think you want it hanging below the gravel to far. I've heard it lasts a couple years before it starts to disintegrate.

I think I paid about $16 bucks for all the chunks I had including the shipping.
Here's the actual stuff I bought from them: Mixed Cork Pieces (http://www.blackjungle.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=BJTS&Product_Code=CF-2&Category_Code=C3) I don't recommend that option I wold go with the more expensive slabs cut to fit on the glass.
BTW 2lbs of cork is a bunch LOL enough to cover the back of a 10G completely. If someone wanted to go to the trouble of cutting the mixed pieces to have flat backs, it might work fine.

[AndrewH]

Yeah, I saw they also offer 12"x12", 12"x24" and 12"x36" pieces too (about $16 per square foot).

[ElijahTurtle]

Personally, if you were going to do a moss wall, I do not think this is the route to go. If you want to see the sculpted background & plant some java fern or anubias nana etc, then I would recomend it. For mmoss it would be easier & cheaper to just use the mesh material & suction cups.

[steve]

so would you only put this into a planted tank. Or could you use it for a 55g african tank?

[ElijahTurtle]

You could put it into an African tank but it would leach tannins in the water continuously, which would be havoc on you pH. You would have to buffer the tank something fierce to keep your pH up.

[jaglover]

This is a really neat idea. I like the corkbark + moss for the growing out stage, but the mesh + moss seems like the best long term. I'm gonna have to think about this. . .

[ilikelegs]

You could put it into an African tank but it would leach tannins in the water continuously, which would be havoc on you pH. You would have to buffer the tank something fierce to keep your pH up.


Thats what I would be worried about.
But it would be great for a SA tank.