3D Background, Still Unfinished. What Do You Think So Far?

i must be doing something wrong.... I never get such good results :)

i mostly found RV parts lol.

something like this would be my best bet i think, but pointing it upwards in the tube, may prove to be problematic.

http://www.theledlight.com/MicroStar.html
 
darksoul said:
That moonlight idea is an amazing idea, But how would I manage to get a couple of LEDs in each one of those holes, while keeping them, and wires hidden, and dry.

Possibly come in from behind the uptake tubes, through the foam, but then Id need to drill a hole into the tubes to mount them somehow.... Which isn't so hard, But keeping them dry, with a low profile, Is.

I could maybe even put the LEDs at the bottom of the tubes, and have them shine up into the tube.

Hole crap guy, your a genius..... Im going to buy LEDs A.S.A.P :D
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K, here is my 2 cents, !st love the bck grnd, GREAT job so far! I love the "crack" gives it a bit more character:) 2nd chk out ( http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=15550&inm=1&N=2004+113030+2035 ) for your led's 1"x2" actual size $17.00, no transformers, 1 suction cup, 360 degrees adjustable, 3 color's to choose from, quick, simple, EASY.

As for painting your bck grnd, you want to start w/ 1 solid layer of color as your base, preferred, easiest tech is a hand sprayer w/ different nozzle's/tip's on you can change for different effects. Can't get a sprayer, you can use layer's, layer's, layer's of a faux tech w/ brushes, sponges, plastic bag, crumpled tin foil, cloth rag, volcanic rock ect. i.e. something porous or not, to release/place the flow of paint in an obscure manner, google it, soon as you see it you'll recognize it. Because of the way the paint is applied anyone can do this even those of us w/ no "artistic" ability. Practice, practice, practice w/ different materials ( rag's, towel's, sponge's w/ dif porous or anything you like, no boundaries while your practicing ) different to see what gives you the effect you will want b4 you go for it. Worse case, prime it all & start over NO BIG DEAL:)

 
uacich12 said:
K, here is my 2 cents, !st love the bck grnd, GREAT job so far! I love the "crack" gives it a bit more character:) 2nd chk out ( http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=15550&inm=1&N=2004+113030+2035 ) for your led's 1"x2" actual size $17.00, no transformers, 1 suction cup, 360 degrees adjustable, 3 color's to choose from, quick, simple, EASY.

As for painting your bck grnd, you want to start w/ 1 solid layer of color as your base, preferred, easiest tech is a hand sprayer w/ different nozzle's/tip's on you can change for different effects. Can't get a sprayer, you can use layer's, layer's, layer's of a faux tech w/ brushes, sponges, plastic bag, crumpled tin foil, cloth rag, volcanic rock ect. i.e. something porous or not, to release/place the flow of paint in an obscure manner, google it, soon as you see it you'll recognize it. Because of the way the paint is applied anyone can do this even those of us w/ no "artistic" ability. Practice, practice, practice w/ different materials ( rag's, towel's, sponge's w/ dif porous or anything you like, no boundaries while your practicing ) different to see what gives you the effect you will want b4 you go for it. Worse case, prime it all & start over NO BIG DEAL:)

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1"x2" is MUCH too large for the LED to fit INSIDE of the UGF uptake tube, let alone still allowing it to move air/water through it.

The mount I linked to, had a 5/16" mounting flange, and it could also be removed, leaving you with a 3/16" sized mount.

Otherwise Im just thnking of coating the leads on the LED with some plstidip, or even just some hot glue, and then finishing it with heat shrink.

Should keep it dry enough.

Ill def. try some of your painting suggestions.


As for the crack in the middle.... that is going to be sealed up.... i personally dont like it :)
 
atnixon said:
i have to agree with you about the crack..it does need filling in...just an opinion of course...

Niko
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you couldnt be more right man..... Ive tried my best to make it as invisible as possible BEFORE having to put it in the tank, but it just isnt going to work like that.

Im going to have to paint it, seal it, mount it, and then after its all securely in the tank, re-grout that crack, paint it, and seal, INSIDE the tank.... gonna be an annoying challange to mount this thing, but when its done man is it going to rock. :D
 
looks cool so far. If you want it to match the castle, you'd do the marron and blue colors first, in random overlapping patches let them dry and then wash the dark grey or black over them. Then with the rag or sponge you remove as much of the black as you want. You should have some time to mess around with putting black/drk grey on and off till you get it how you like it.
Even if you don't try to match and just do greys/black, youd do the lighter colors first, dry, then dark color blotted off.
Before doing it inside the aquarium you might try it on a peice of the background material outside the tank. you'll see its easy.
 
I got a can of black spray paint today, i was going to do the first colour black.... but as you say, maybe i should do others first

the only thing that would need to be done in the tank, is the big crack cover up... the rest is all done outside of the tank, before final placement.
 
Ok, so at this point, what I've done now, is spray paint the background black, lightly.

There are a couple of spots I think I will touch up, like up near the top of the center "crack" to sort of darken them up.

Then I guess I will add some reds and green for an algae look.

This honestly looks alot better on camera than it does in real life for some reason.... You also get to see some of my shiny healthy chest fur :D

DSCF2000.JPG
 
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