More On Backgrounds

[ShinySideUp]

The delivery date of my new six foot tank gets ever closer but my quandary over decoration is still no nearer settled -- although I have decided on fine gravel over sand as the latter is too high maintenance (and rubbish for the plants I want).

Everything can be changed to suit after the water and the fish are in but the background is another matter.

Firstly, I have no intention of fixing a background of any kind inside the tank; it's too permanent.

Secondly, I have to think up something before the tank arrives as it has to be fitted to the rear of the tank before it's full of water as there won't be much room behind for fiddling about later.

So...

...what do you folk have as an externally mounted background? Aquatic plant scene, complete black, another solid colour, picture of stones, a plain wall? What?

I have to come up with something attractive before July 8th when the tank arrives so no suggestion is dismissable out of hand.

Over to you.

 

[ReddSamurai]

id go for something plain like just black or blue, personally i think anything else almost takes the limelight from your actual tank

are you going to have a journal for this tank? it would be interesting to see how it goes and develops

 
...in short i have a black background stuck to one of my tanks and nothing on the other

 

[ShinySideUp]

id go for something plain like just black or blue, personally i think anything else almost takes the limelight from your actual tank

are you going to have a journal for this tank? it would be interesting to see how it goes and develops

 
...in short i have a black background stuck to one of my tanks and nothing on the other

How is it stuck on?

 

[ReddSamurai]

sellotape, but i did over hear someone say that using a very thin layer of Vaseline works, that or paint it on  

 

[ShinySideUp]

sellotape, but i did over hear someone say that using a very thin layer of Vaseline works, that or paint it on  

No way I'm painting anything on, if it looks good that's fine, but if it looks crap that's a terrible waste of a an expensive tank and not worth the risk. A few dabs of clear silicone glue will probably be ok though.

 

[snazy]

There are types of vynil sheets with sticky side you can use, all types of colours, even red and pink if you wish . I bought some from the hardware store.
 
I am not a fan of any backgrounds. If the wall behind it is one colour, then it will look nice as it is and you can arrange the cables/pipes out of view. To me a background looks very unnatural. I am not even crazy about black ones.
 
If it's going to be a planted tank, then you've got plenty of options how to decorate the back side of the tank.

 

[Melman]

I have applied a plain blue background to my last two tanks using Seaview glue. This is applied evenly to the backing with a paper towel then simply stick the backing to the tank. If there are bubbles in the backing after application use an old credit card to 'iron' them out. The backing can be moved (by sliding) to make sure its correctly positioned for some time after its been stuck, providing more flexibility than taping or fixing with a quick drying adhesive
 
It can take time to get right/iron out bubbles but looks really good and stays in place just fine
 
you may need some help sticking the background on a 6 foot tank. i did for my 5 foot tank
 
Just an idea

 

[techen]

I painted my 40l tank in like 5 minutes and it looks great. Brings out the colours in the plants and fish out so well. Also if you use a sharp blade you can remove the paint just as easy as you put it on.