Applying A Background!

[HeroDave]

Hey guys
So after my second disaster i was gonna call it a day!
The family dont wanna give it another go but i am!
Ive just been out, bought a black background, a massive piece of bog wood and some plants. I need to get the background on spot on! Whats your advice for getting this done?
This really is gonna be the last time so im gonna start fresh and follow the book all the way!

 

[tmack]

Hi. I'm not sure what kind it is, I taped mine on the back of a 12 gallon with some clear tape. If it's a really big tank I'm not sure if that would work or not. Since you can't see the sides where I have that tank, the tape doesn't show, and it's easy to remove if I ever have to take the tank down for a total cleaning. This type I have (only type available) is a thin plastic film type and I just wish they had a dull flat black, rather than a shiny one. I don't like the reflections from the shiny surface, but it's a lot better than seeing the wires & cannister filter tubes in back. and the black makes the fish show up nicely.

 

[KimA]

Hi,

I do pretty much the same as tmack, but use double-sided sticky pads or tape.

 

[tmack]

Wish I had thought about the double sided sticky pads or even double sided tape! For that matter I suppose velcro tape would even work, and would make it easy to take on & off.

 

[DarkShadow435]

i just used regular packing tape on my 50 gal, came out fine.

 

[funkyhoney]

are you talking about one of the paperish backgrounds like has already been explained or a latex internal background?

 

[tmack]

are you talking about one of the paperish backgrounds like has already been explained or a latex internal background?

In my case it's a thin vinyl or plastic sheet that you buy by the foot - some are solid colors, others are available with an aquatic plant picture background. I think we were all talking about the same stuff but I'm not 100% sure of that - externally applied on the back of the tank with tape or something.

 

[funkyhoney]

are you talking about one of the paperish backgrounds like has already been explained or a latex internal background?

In my case it's a thin vinyl or plastic sheet that you buy by the foot - some are solid colors, others are available with an aquatic plant picture background. I think we were all talking about the same stuff but I'm not 100% sure of that - externally applied on the back of the tank with tape or something.

yeah, thats what i meant by the papery stuff

best way is just sticky tape of some description, the latex ones get a bit tricky

 

[ICEEGRL]

If it is stuck on it will reflect less. I use water with just a drop of soap to wet the background so it will form a sort of bond. Then I use a credit card to work out the bubbles. This makes it stick, and colors are more clear(true). If you decide to remove it you just peel it off. The only problem I have is that I get these scrape marks where there is trapped air that I just can't get rid of.
I read somewhere(I can't remember where) that you can use a little vasaline on it and get really good results. I am going to try that soon. They look so much better when they are sealed in some way than just taped on. I just have to work out the trapped air somehow. When it is wetted with something and stuck on it stops most of the reflection from the glass, and you don't need tape or anything to keep it in place. It is kind of like those plastic decorations that you wet and stick in your window for halloween.
I hope this has helped some if you haven't already worked it out.