Water Behind The Backdrop Film

[hoarp001]

Water keeps splashing over the edge of the tank when I do maintainence and goes between the blue backgrop film and the glass creating big patches of bright blue in the back of the tank.

Does anyone know how I can prevent this?

Thanks,

Pete,

 

[ridewake210]

clean the back of the tank on the plastic frame and the top of the background. and run a strip of clear packing tape or some other type of ctrong tape form the backdrop to the tanks plastic frame.

 

[hoarp001]

It dosn have a plasic frame or rim around the edge of the tank, its just glass. I think i will have to use double sided tape...

 

[rfisher]

Hi,

Put the backdrop on using vaseline. I know it sounds strange and I didnt believe it at first. You will be surprised how much difference it will make to the picture too. Just clean the glass, smear a thin layer of vaseline onto it and then offer the backdrop up to the glass and it will suck it on. Level the backdrop up and then using a credit card or similar smooth out any air bubbles. Job done

Rich

 

[hoarp001]

Srangely I did think about that but thought i better not just incase. Il try it in that case

 

[hoarp001]

Hmm I just tried the vaseleine thing and it was abit of a disaster. I only have two inches of space between the sdie of the tank and the wall and i spread the vaseleine on the film and stuck it on but there were so many air bubbles that I couldnt get rid of it looked even worse. When i took the film off there were streaks of vasaline on the glass and I couldnt get it off caus my hands to big to get down the side to wipe it off...

 

[Egmel]

Get an old towel on a stick (maybe a broom handle) to wipe the back of the glass or try the background again but smooth down with a squeegee on a pole?!

I have no idea if either of these ideas will work, they are just the only way I can think of rectifying the Vaselined back of tank.

 

[hoarp001]

its definatly a good idea, but I have a freind who works in a picture framer and I might try to get him to blag me a peice of thin glass and Il try and stick the film between that and the tank and stick it down with that...

 

[Egmel]

Sounds like a plan! What are you going to use to stop the water getting inbetween the 2 sheets of glass?

 

[hoarp001]

...a thin line of vaseline along the top edge which will be under the hood. or some double sided tape..
not sure how im going to stick the back sheet of glass to the tank though... it will probablaly slide off and sever all the pipes and wires

 

[Chunk Da Funk]

Has anyone tried use vehicle graphics vinyl, I have done it on my new tank, unfortunately it can only really be done when you are setting up a new tank or have a large enough space behind to get round the back of the tank. It’s really easy to apply and stays on forever, no problem with colour fade as it’s designed to be subjected to outdoor elements, plus there are loads of colours to choose from. I got mine from a friend of mine who does vinyl cutting in his printers but you should be able to buy it from any vehicle sign writers.

How to apply:
1.Clean the back of the tank with a mild detergent make sure it won’t harm the silicone.
2.Cut a piece of vinyl about an inch larger than your tank.
3.Place your tank on its front with a towel underneath
4.Spray the back of the tank with normal tank water; you’ll need to cover it with a fine mist.
5.Remove the backing paper from the vinyl.
6.Place this on the tank back, and line it up with the top of your tank with the water between the two you can slide the vinyl around until you have it in place.
7.With a squeegee work from one end and smooth out the vinyl this will remove all the water between and allow the vinyl to stick to the glass. You can check to see if all the water has been removed by looking through the front on the tank
8.When you are happy with the finish take a sharp blade and run down the two sides and across bottom to cut away any overhang


I have done this on my new 22g tank with great success and I would recommend it to anyone who wants a permanent background with zero maintenance.