Anyone know if I can use contact paper as a background?

[OliveFish05]

Can I use contact paper as an aquarium background? It is supposedly waterproof. I was thinking cut to size and stuck to the inside of the tank, but if that isn’t safe I can tape it to the outside.

 

[OliveFish05]

I am looking at these
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08Y1PGJXG/?tag=ff0d01-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08C2TP2B3/?tag=ff0d01-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PG41YR7/?tag=ff0d01-20

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

Inside a tank, even if the surface is waterproof, the edges won't be and it'll swiftly deteriorate and leach ink into the water.
Stuck to the outside is the way to go.

 

[OliveFish05]

Inside a tank, even if the surface is waterproof, the edges won't be and it'll swiftly deteriorate and leach ink into the water.
Stuck to the outside is the way to go.

Ok, definitely going to stick it to the outside! Thank you

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

Ok, definitely going to stick it to the outside! Thank you

If you have the money, it might be worth considering a purpose-built 3D background, that'll live inside the tank.
I got one when I bought my 20+ gallon and, besides looking good, it provides a surface for beneficial bacteria and algae. (My bristlenose is rarely off it).
This was when he was little.;

 

[OliveFish05]

If you have the money, it might be worth considering a purpose-built 3D background, that'll live inside the tank.
I got one when I bought my 20+ gallon and, besides looking good, it provides a surface for beneficial bacteria and algae. (My bristlenose is rarely off it).
This was when he was little.;

View attachment 146947

I have considered it! I have had a hard time finding one I like online, and don’t trust myself to build one myself. I suppose I could try and if it didn’t work, all I lost was some styrofoam and a couple hours of my time…

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

I have considered it! I have had a hard time finding one I like online, and don’t trust myself to build one myself. I suppose I could try and if it didn’t work, all I lost was some styrofoam and a couple hours of my time…

Examples of what we can get from Amazon UK here.

 

[Avel1896]

Hey
No, as long as it's not specifically meant to be immersed.
There are many posters you can stick on the outside.

 

[OliveFish05]

Hey
No, as long as it's not specifically meant to be immersed.
There are many posters you can stick on the outside.

Thank you.

 

[itiwhetu]

Always on the outside of the tank, then you have a nice flat surface to clean on the inside of the tank.