Making BackDrops Stick To Tank

[Mr Aquarium]

Was talking about this today with someone,
What are the best ways to get your backdrop to
stick to the tank so they show up rather then just taping them on the back and not hardly seeing them at all.

Any thoughts or experience with this?

[fish_doc]

I have seen someone use vaseline. They put a thin layer on it and spread it like walpaper paste. Once on the back of the tank they used a putty knife and made sure they had all the air bubbles out and it stuck on its own.

I have not tried this but it did look good and as long as you are careful not to get any in the tank I dont see it hurting. But it is to messy and questionable for me to do on my tanks.

[Lydia]

fish_doc....they put it on the outside, right?

[babyhuey]

Originally Posted by Lydia @ Mon Apr 11, 2005 8:51 pm

fish_doc....they put it on the outside, right?

I thaught they put them on the inside

[Fishfirst]

yes you put a tank background outside the tank... also I like black spraypaint as a background

[Lexus]

if you spray some water on it and then stick it to the back it will stay too, not as clean and nicely tough. mine is taped...

[mrmoby]

you can buy spray adhesives which come in an aerosol can. the stuff sticks like mad, so I would imagine it would hold the background well. I believe it does spray clear too. I think they sell it at crafts stores. The only drawbakc is you have to work quick, and I would think it would be a chore to clean it up shpould you decide to remove it. Look for something called Spray Mount.

[fishfreaks]

we just use tape, our fish love to spash around and get everything wet

[osteoporoosi]

I put mine(self-made rock-imitation) on the wall behind the tank. Looks more 3-D.

[fish_doc]

Yes they go on the outside of the tank. I guess I didn't make myself clear enough. Kind of like some people try to put the air pumps in the tank thinking that is how they work. Sometimes you just need to make things perfectly clear.

[Lydia]

i thought they did but you said something (i dont remember what it was now) that for some reason made me think that you put them on the inside (even thought that doesnt make any sense) heh heh

[osteoporoosi]

There is actually these ones that you put inside the tank. Tanganjika and malawi hobbyists use them to create a rocky backround. I'm actually considering to make one of my own, but the problem is that you have put it into an empty tank, and attach it with silicone.

[Mr Aquarium]

I read a book about 11 years ago that had al kinds of different stuff in it, one I do remember
was making a backdrop.
It was made using cement and showed how to run the air tubing through it so it would bubble from the front side, but that all I can remember of it.
The same book had the Wood aquariums and a little about how to make them also.
Don;t remeber the name or arthur of the book but it was a hard back from the older days of aquariums

[Lydia]

mr aquarium, im sure ill be able to find it if i just search for a hardback from the older days of aquariums..... jk :P

[fish_doc]

That book would probably fetch a pretty penny on ebay today. Vintage aquarium books go for quite a bit and those on how to make tanks are also rare increasing the value.

[KarenJones]

Hi everyone! Regarding backgrounds, you really need to check out www.thenaturefactory.com. These backgrounds are 3-D. No sticking involved!

[Georgia Peach]

I use vaseline on mine as stated above. Keeps it stuck on there and also prevents water from getting behind it.

[Fishy Lee]

Wow, those backgrounds from the naturefactory look awesome. Anyone have any experience with those in a tank??? I'm SUPER interested.

[Scuba Kid]

they are cool, but incredibly expensive. If you are interested, www.cichlid-forum.com has a page where you can make a rock background by yourself with styrofoam and a little cement. I almost tried it....I think it would be a cool DIY project. This would be permanent, but i believe the ones that can be bought are as well.

[Mr Aquarium]

oh yeah, I remember them old plastic 3D back drops, to bad they didn;t make um for 75g tanks now a days.
Bet they would have came up with some nice cave/rock backgrounds you would put in the tank, that would be cool....

and I love them back drops, couple of them would work perfect in my 75g for the look i have, wow, someone used there heads on that one.