Trick for Background
- Thread starter jw1977
- Start date
dinogeorge
Member
Unless you want some sort of scenery, it’s a lot easier painting the outside of the rear of the glass either black or blue. But that may not be of interest to you. So a trick you can try it to tape one end really well. In fact, over-tape it. Then after it is secure on one end, take the other end and stretch it tight. Then secure it with tape. You can go back to the first end that you over-taped and remove the unsightly tape.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
lexluethar
Active Member
Originally Posted by Dinogeorge
Unless you want some sort of scenery, it’s a lot easier painting the outside of the rear of the glass either black or blue. But that may not be of interest to you. So a trick you can try it to tape one end really well. In fact, over-tape it. Then after it is secure on one end, take the other end and stretch it tight. Then secure it with tape. You can go back to the first end that you over-taped and remove the unsightly tape.
Hope this helps.
Agreed, I tape one end really well. Then do the best you can to pull and even out the background while taping it to the other end.
No real trick, just make sure it is tight - if you get water between the tank and the background (which i've done), it is really easy to pull off, clean, and restick.
Unless you want some sort of scenery, it’s a lot easier painting the outside of the rear of the glass either black or blue. But that may not be of interest to you. So a trick you can try it to tape one end really well. In fact, over-tape it. Then after it is secure on one end, take the other end and stretch it tight. Then secure it with tape. You can go back to the first end that you over-taped and remove the unsightly tape.
Hope this helps.
Agreed, I tape one end really well. Then do the best you can to pull and even out the background while taping it to the other end.
No real trick, just make sure it is tight - if you get water between the tank and the background (which i've done), it is really easy to pull off, clean, and restick.
srfisher17
Active Member
Sounds stupid; but this works very well. I've used fabric, ironed (not by me!), doubled and then I just use a strip of duct tape the entire length of the tank. Tape is half on the fabric and half on the plastic tank rim. Looks just like paint, cheap, easy to install & change. Weight of the fabric holds it in place. Takes about $3 and 3 min for a 55 gal. My 55 gal "retro" tank has a very dark blue background now and I doubt anyone would ever guess it was fabric. Handles all HOB stuff easily.I used it on bigger tanks while in Mississippi, Pre-Katrina; but my new, bigger tanks came with colored background.
jonthefishguy
Active Member
Actually I just started carrying a product called SEAVIEW. It seals your background to your aquarium and makes the colors more vivid and stand out more. You dont have to use tape and you can wash it off if you want to change the scenery later to something else.
C
calvertbill
Guest
I wanted the illusion of depth beyond the back of the tank so I had an auto window tinting guy do three sides of the tank with 20% smoke colored tinting. I then sponge painted the wall behind the tank (about 8" back) blue. If I want a different look I'll do it to the wall, not the tank.
In my old tank I always had some salt residue between the tank glass and the stick on background. I can clean this glass, now
In my old tank I always had some salt residue between the tank glass and the stick on background. I can clean this glass, now
jonthefishguy
Active Member
Originally Posted by jw1977
I've been trying for an hour and still can't get it to not have ripples. Will these be noticeable once the tanks done?
Look for the product that I mentioned and it doesnt allow ripples.
I've been trying for an hour and still can't get it to not have ripples. Will these be noticeable once the tanks done?
Look for the product that I mentioned and it doesnt allow ripples.
sepulatian
Moderator
If you apply FW to the side of the background that is going toward the glass then the colors come out very bright. I have done that on FW aquariums. I like the white of the wall for salt tanks though.
V
vicegrip
Guest
I have wet background and then wiped it on with a cloth just like you would window tint and it works good. But imo using blackout window tint is the best.