Background Problems

[Neon guy]

This tank has been set up since june 23. How do you all get the background to stick to the tank? it's cut perfect, but there are alot of bubble and it's not very nice looking. any help?

 

[ash90]

they never sit flat agaist the glass long term u will alway always get bubbles in it

 

[Katty]

Yup, they never usually sit straight and clean no matter how much tape you use. I've tried sticking a background on with petroleum jelly and then taping the sides down, and I would not recommend it. Left some bright spots with random dark bubbles that were hard to smooth out and I couldn't get them all.

There is a product called SeaView Aquarium Background Mounting Solution link here that is supposed to fix the problem. I gave up on the plastic backgrounds for now anyways so I haven't tried the stuff. You can find it online for sale, or probably in stores but I haven't looked.

 

[Neon guy]

Thank you, I'll give it a try.

 

[Mark Z.]

OR you could mount the background on a piece of stiff cardboard or masonite first. Then use pieces of wood or styrofoam to wedge that between the wall and the glass; to hold it flat against the glass.

 

[logiclee]

After years of trying different methods to stick on backgrounds I ordered a 3D internal background and fitted it a few days ago.

I'm very pleased with the results.

Cheers
Lee

 

[Katty]

I have a question for logiclee, hope I'm not hi-jacking the thread too much...

Did you stick the 3d backgrounds in an already up-and running tank, or does the tank need to be brand new or emptied? I'd love to get a 3d background but I'm not really into emptying out the whole tank for it...

 

[Andy-lee]

Seaview is great stuff it forms a fine film between the background and the tank glass so you can see the background picture from all angles rather than just the front whan there is a slight gap between the two also allows you to scrape out air bubble easily with a credit card etc.
Andy

 

[logiclee]

I have a question for logiclee, hope I'm not hi-jacking the thread too much...

Did you stick the 3d backgrounds in an already up-and running tank, or does the tank need to be brand new or emptied? I'd love to get a 3d background but I'm not really into emptying out the whole tank for it...

The one I purchased is a free standing resin background, it doesn't need any glue or fixing. Just move your sand or gravel forward, drop the background in ensuring you don't trap any fish behind it and then smooth your gravel or sand out and job done.
At the ends there is meshing to stop fish getting behind it and if your tank is big enough you can leave enough room to leave filter suction pipes and heaters behind it. That's why you don't see any in my tank.
Bought mine from aqua-maniac who sells on ebay.

Cheers
Lee

 

[Athena]

I have a question for logiclee, hope I'm not hi-jacking the thread too much...

Did you stick the 3d backgrounds in an already up-and running tank, or does the tank need to be brand new or emptied? I'd love to get a 3d background but I'm not really into emptying out the whole tank for it...

The one I purchased is a free standing resin background, it doesn't need any glue or fixing. Just move your sand or gravel forward, drop the background in ensuring you don't trap any fish behind it and then smooth your gravel or sand out and job done.
At the ends there is meshing to stop fish getting behind it and if your tank is big enough you can leave enough room to leave filter suction pipes and heaters behind it. That's why you don't see any in my tank.
Bought mine from aqua-maniac who sells on ebay.

Cheers
Lee

Wow, that's a great idea! I was wondering about those 3-D backgrounds and wishing I could have one but didn't want the hassle of draining the tank out...so I'm really glad I read this post as now I know I can have a fab background after all!

At the moment I've a stick on backround poster that I cut to size (and have the same problem that others have mentioned about air bubbles) - so I'd rather an internal 3-D background. Wooo - I feel quite excited about it. Roll on payday!

Many thanks - Athena

 

[Twinklecaz]

Are they actually 3D? Do they not take up room?

 

[Too Fast]

Surely if you have your filter suction pipe behind it then it wont pull "crap" from your tank through it as the background will stop this going through? It would only be water that goes through.

Also having just fitted my 2nd one if the background is not the exact size (As the 2 I bought to join together for mine were too long and tall) then they need to be trimmed. This is an easy but time consuming job to get a spot on finish. Personally I wouldn't even consider doing it with the water and fish in!

 

[Mark Z.]

That 3-D background looks pretty cool!

 

[logiclee]

Surely if you have your filter suction pipe behind it then it wont pull "crap" from your tank through it as the background will stop this going through? It would only be water that goes through.

Also having just fitted my 2nd one if the background is not the exact size (As the 2 I bought to join together for mine were too long and tall) then they need to be trimmed. This is an easy but time consuming job to get a spot on finish. Personally I wouldn't even consider doing it with the water and fish in!

Towards one end low down there are two holes built into the rock effect that are meshed to prevent fish getting through but not so fine as to prevent general debris and waste being sucked through. There's also a 5-10mm gap down the sides that are meshed to give water flow. Not noticed any increase in tank debris and the water temperature is fine even though the heater is behind the background. I've dropped a bit of food behind and there is good flow behind the background. I do have a Eheim Pro 3 Electronic filter for 700 litre tank fitted and my tank is just 240litres so I'm over filtered which will help I suppose.
I ordered a background the correct size for my tank but needed it in two halves because of the centre tank brace. The seller supplied the background cut in half with two locating bars so once in the tank it can be slotted back together.
Took 10-15 minutes all in with just a little stress stopping the fish from swimming behind the background until it was in it's final position.

Cheers
Lee

 

[logiclee]

Are they actually 3D? Do they not take up room?

Mine is what the seller describes as the "Basic" background. Most of it is an inch or so thick but he more curved sections are a couple of inches out. The furthest part is the bottom of the tree root effect which sticks out about three inch. The seller has Basic, Rock, Rock and Root, and Amazon styles although they are not all currently listed.

I emailed the seller who didn't have my exact requirements listed but she sorted me out after a couple of weeks wait.

http/stores.ebay.co.uk/aqua-maniac_Aquarium-Decoration_W0QQ_fsubZ2250816015QQ_sidZ99040235QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em322

EDIT: Just had a look on her site and she is using my tank photo in her auction.

I must stress I am only a satisfied customer with no conection to the seller.

Cheers
Lee