Backgrounds

[Bloo]

I have always found it tricky to attach the backgrounds to the glass and this is how I did one of my recent smaller tanks (though I plan to do it on one of my large tanks soon too):

If using double sided tape, it just tends to make a mess and is difficult to
remove quickly and easily.

If using cellotape to secure the side panels, it tends to make the plastic
backing "wobble" and I can never get it taught enough. Also, the cellotape
looks horrible and if it gets wet, it tends to start peeling too.

Soooo..... I've decided to try something new and it look great ! Not only
that, but I can also remove it very easily to clean the glass and use the
magnetic glass cleaner etc.

Take some firm cardboard (exactly the right size that you need to use to
cover the glass, but no need to be thick cardboard) and cover it completely
with that clear sticky back plastic film (sorry, don't know what it called
properly, but it comes on a roll). This will prevent accidental water
splashes to cause the cardboard to swell up.

Then cut the backing paper so that all edges extend by a couple of inches
beyond the cardboard. Then wrap and stick as you would a gift.

You can then either just slide the backing in behind the tank if it's close to a wall. Any cables hanging off behind the tank will hold the backing close. Or if that doesn't quite work, just take a small piece of tack and put that in each corner.

Backing from behind

Tank without backing

Tank with backing

Ps: I hate double posting and I know I posted this last night in the Chit Chat section in response to a question. But I think it will get buried there in no time at all - whereas it might be visible a bit longer here

 

[Jer-]

great idea bloozoo, this way it shud be easier to clean the back wall with them magnet cleaners too. cheers

 

[weathermen]

What I use is velcro strips, stick them to the top and bottom, stretch the picture and apply to velcro, never moves and easy to remove for cleaning!

 

[Bloo]

Sounds like a good idea, but do the edges not tend to turn out ? I like things to be entirely flush.

 

[Opcn]

you see, this is why I paint the backs of my tanks, so I don't have to be clever.

 

[Bloo]

yeah but what if you get bored of your painted background ?

 

[abstract]

yeah but what if you get bored of your painted background ?

you scrape it off...assuming you use a latex paint it should only take a couple mins...i've done it on a 2.5 gallon and a 20 long...


good tip on the background though, will give it a shot!

 

[Opcn]

There are prices to pay for being mediocre bloozoo

 

[freshmike]

Something I have not done myself....but a friend of mine does it with his tanks and it looks pretty good....

....is to use Vaseline, and then squeegy the bubbles out (kind of like how you would do wallpaper)

 

[weathermen]

No the edges will not turn, make sure you apply the velcro right up to the egde, my next mission is to apply real slate to the inside of the tank, a ? i asked on another post and it's a yes!

 

[shemesh]

I just use blue-tack in each of the outside corners - easy to change...no mess, no fuss!

 

[Bloo]

Don't know about you guys, but the backgrounds that you get in the shops (usually made by "Marina") tend to slightly lift at the edges (when using tack only) and when taking photos (or just looking at it with the light on) it just does not look nice and it causes unevenness in the background and a sort of "bubble effect - in my opinion of course.

But hey, whatever works - it's all personal choice

 

[One_Trick_Pony]

i have kinda follow bloozoos idea and am going to paint a bored balck and use that held behind in the same wa and see how that looks

if i dont like that look i will definatly be folloing bloozoo instructions to the letter her backgorund is brillient

 

[houndour]

thanks bloozoo. I might try paint. I'm quite a boring person and will probably always have black background.

I know exactly what you mean about thekinda bubble effect you get when taking pictures. I hate it. I want to know how gf255 takes his pictures. I dont get how he gets everything soooo black. I reckon he touches it up in photoshop (only joking gf255!! don't hit me!)

 

[ctack2]

Has anyone ever put the background IN the tank instead of on the outside of the tank? I saw these little 'things' being sold on ebay a couple months ago from over in the UK somewhere that are used to stick the background to the back inside of the tank. Of course, you'd have to be using a background that was waterproof, not paper.

Carol B