Foolproof way to attach background on a loaded aquarium?

[Deleted member 149562]

OK...so since I rarely if ever do anything the easy way.....a question for all you logical fishy people...

I have a background poster thingy to go onto the back of my aquarium. The aquarium is loaded and stocked, so thought it would be easier to fix the background when doing the water change tomorrow (lower water level so that I get a better view of the back, get the cables etc out of the way etc)

What would be the best and easiest way to attach the poster to the outside rear glass please?

The aquarium is 100cm long x 50cm tall x 50cm wide, there is about 3cm tween the rear glass and the wall behind...so not alot of access...and I'se doing it on my own, so only one pair of hands to play with.....I'se already getting sweaty palms wondering what the heck I am even thinking of doing this for...

I have scotch tape, gorilla double sided tape or basic insulation tape to choose from......so any suggestions on how to avoid spending tomorrow morning swearing like a trooper and launching said poster thingy towards the bin in temper would be gratefully received and appreciated

 

[PheonixKingZ]

OK...so since I rarely if ever do anything the easy way.....a question for all you logical fishy people...

I have a background poster thingy to go onto the back of my aquarium. The aquarium is loaded and stocked, so thought it would be easier to fix the background when doing the water change tomorrow (lower water level so that I get a better view of the back, get the cables etc out of the way etc)

What would be the best and easiest way to attach the poster to the outside rear glass please?

The aquarium is 100cm long x 50cm tall x 50cm wide, there is about 3cm tween the rear glass and the wall behind...so not alot of access...and I'se doing it on my own, so only one pair of hands to play with.....I'se already getting sweaty palms wondering what the heck I am even thinking of doing this for...

I have scotch tape, gorilla double sided tape or basic insulation tape to choose from......so any suggestions on how to avoid spending tomorrow morning swearing like a trooper and launching said poster thingy towards the bin in temper would be gratefully received and appreciated

I just used about 6 pieces of scotch tape when I attached mine. I’ve don’t it on a full tank before, not ideal, but doable. You’ll just have to slide it back behind the tank, tape one corner, then tighten and do the rest.

Make sure to double up the end of the tape, so you can easily pull it off later.

 

[Lynnzer]

I'm thinking of doing a completely new concept, to me anyway, for a background. Have a look at these amazing things
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000070467677.html
Look at the options on the right of the page for more backgrounds

 

[Deleted member 149562]

I just used about 6 pieces of scotch tape when I attached mine. I’ve don’t it on a full tank before, not ideal, but doable. You’ll just have to slide it back behind the tank, tape one corner, then tighten and do the rest.

Make sure to double up the end of the tape, so you can easily pull it off later.

Sounds easy enough, thank you

(You might want to cover your ears tomorrow morning mind you....there could be some naughty words screamed )

 

[Deleted member 149562]

I'm thinking of doing a completely new concept, to me anyway, for a background. Have a look at these amazing things
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000070467677.html
Look at the options on the right of the page for more backgrounds

They look nice, I agree....but pre-glued would be an issue with getting the inevitable bubbles out due to the lack of access on my aquarium. Certainly something to consider if I ever found space for another large aquarium at a later stage.

 

[Essjay]

I used black insulating tape to attach my black background to a tank sealed with black silicone. Assuming you don't want to use black, sellotape works just as well. I found it useful to have someone else to hold one side while I attached the other, then once that was firm I worked my way along the top edge of the back then down the other side. I couldn't have done it single handed.

 

[Deleted member 149562]

I used black insulating tape to attach my black background to a tank sealed with black silicone. Assuming you don't want to use black, sellotape works just as well. I found it useful to have someone else to hold one side while I attached the other, then once that was firm I worked my way along the top edge of the back then down the other side. I couldn't have done it single handed.

I should have done it before setting the aquarium up and then I could have laid the aquarium on its face pane to do it....but me being the awkward "lets make this as hard as possible" idiot that I am....its going to be a single handed and lots of naughty words job methinks.....

I might use the Gorilla double sided tape as the "extra hand" at one end whilst using the scotch tape to properly secure it at the other end....that might work....maybe....perhaps....

(It needs to be said that I was else where when the virtue of patience was handed out )

 

[Wills]

If you could find a squeegie type device thin enough to go down the back of the tank (a bank card taped to a thin stick or a ruler would work) You can spray the backing with soapy water and then starting near the middle press the bubbles out and it creates (I think) a vacuum effect and seals it in place. I reckon if you could get a big ruler you could slide the backing on and then use the runner to get the air bubbles out.

Wills

 

[The603]

I plan on changing my 48" background tomorrow, using black window film. I purposely set my tank setup 6.5" from the wall to allow some area to work and run hoses, power cables etc.. The plan is to:

1. Move supply and return filter hoses to the left side wall of the tank, closest to the filter.
2. Unplug and remove heater, clean while it is out.
3. Unplug air line.
4. Remove old background, thoroughly clean the glass.
5. Precut new background adding about 2" extra to the length.
6. My wife will be "helping" me so I will have an extra set of hands during the install.
7. Prepare the background and tank per mfg. instructions.
8. Tape the left hand side of the background using the extra 2" to the side glass panel.
9. Slowly removing the protective film from the background and using a small squeegee that came with the screen protector for my cell phone, squeegee out the bubbles as I move across the back of the tank.
10. Do the reverse of steps 1 thru 3.
11. Either give a thumbs up or down depending on how it came out.

 

[Deleted member 149562]

All sorted...and without any naughty words too (which makes a change)

Used scotch tape....thank you @PheonixKingZ

Can't actually see the background due to the scaping but at least now the light doesn't glare so much or go up the wall behind the aquarium like it used to do....hooligans seem happy, water change done at the same time.

I have some new greenery...some that was actually meant to be planted (they were yesterday before lights out) but as usual the hooligans decided to tweak their own interior design choices and its now all floating on top but that is OK, it can survive up there.......I do wonder why I bother to try and make their home more comfy when they vandalise everything within 24 hours.....ahhhhh....the trials and tribulations of having teenage hooligans in an aquarium

 

[Deleted member 149562]

Not too bad......even if the background is invisible and the surface is now inundated with floaty things. As long as the fish are happy and healthy, that is all that matters.

 

[Wills]

View attachment 159475

Not too bad......even if the background is invisible and the surface is now inundated with floaty things. As long as the fish are happy and healthy, that is all that matters.

Wow wow wow your tank is amazing!