Whats the best way to put a background on a tank.

Set up a 29 gallon last weekend so it's cycling now. Picked up a new background for it today. What would be the best way to stick it to the tank?
I taped it on for now but it dosen't look good.

Thanks for the help.
Kevin

 

There's a product you can buy called seaview, or you can use either vegetable oil or vaseline. Apply a layer to the glass, then place the background and use a credit card to smooth everything out. It gives the background a nice 3d effect. Of course you could just use tape but it won't have the same appearance.

 

Welcome to Fishlore!

You can also use vasoline, baby oil, or crisco. Really you can use just about anything that could create a bond with the glass and plastic laminated sheet. Keep out of the tank itself.

 

iv used seaview on a couple tanks and its never lasted for me anyways. I started painting all my tanks black or blue backgrounds but it might be a lil late for that. good luck

 

I have used baby oil.

 

Thanks for the tips. I think I'll give the vasoline a try.

Maybe I should have put a background on before I filled the tank . Oh well looks like it will be a 80% water change tonight.

 

Thanks for the tips. I think I'll give the vasoline a try.

Maybe I should have put a background on before I filled the tank . Oh well looks like it will be a 80% water change tonight.

Why do you need to drain the tank? Do you have to move it?

 

Used the vasoline it worked great. I had to move the tank to smooth the back ground out. The tank is right against my wall just enough room for the hob filter.

 

I used Seaview for my background and it's still as bright 3.5 years later, check out the pic of my tank (aquarium of the month Jan 2011 in the archives). As Lexi03 said, you don't need to drain the tank as the background sticks to the outside of the tank, the oil removes the air between the background and the glass making it really bright and clear (and sticks up the background).

 

I put the background on the back of the tank . not in the tank. I had to move it because I could not fit my arm behind it to get the traped air from inbetween the glass and the background.


Looks a lot better then tape.


Tank looks great popeye.

 

I use cheap spray glue normally. Cover the tank with a towel so none can get in and just go for it. The bond is strong enough to hold the background on, but light enough to easily peel off. And the glue comes up like a thin rubbery coating so it's easy to peel off excess.

Edit: Just had to say I love posts like this. Everyone has a different and inventive way of doing things. Love it!

 

I used vegetable oil on one 4 weeks ago and it looks fantastic!

 

How long will vegetable oil method last?

 

No clue. 1st time.