Backgrounds Backgrounds Backgrounds - Aquarium Advice

smithw14 · 07-06-2006, 02:26 PM

In the name of good and evil, I find myself in the worst possible situation a fish...umm..person could EVER be in. This is worse than ANYTHING, and I am requesting help from all the experts! THIS IS LIFE OR DEATH!!!!

Okay, so, I set my 55g up, pushed it to the wall leaving little space, set up the filter, heater, etc. Filled the tank, added the fish, then applied the background.

"Did he say he applied the background as the last step?!"

Why yes, I did. Quit your bickering. Needless to say it was a laborous process, with an end result leaving much to be desired. I've got it on there, sorta, but there are air pockets, especially in the center. When the light is on, it illuminates only the portions of the background that does not have air pockets. So I am left with a stinky (not my word of choice but i'm trying to be gentle here) looking background that I do not like. So yeah, I got a 600-800 lb object against the wall here and the back is not very assessable, especially the center. TO TOP IT ALL OFF, this background was a huge investment. I believe it rang to the ungodly amount of two dollars and fifty cents. Those kinds of prices should be illegal!

I need help - how do I get this thing to stick on there flush? I used double sided take on the ends which was hard to do because once you set one side its hard to move or adjust. I think I just need to start over - but don't know the best way to get a smooth, even application.

The rest of the tank looks magnificent. The crayfish loves the driftwood. He climbs up it and dives off it - I think he is practicing for the olympics (the crayfish olympics of course, he couldn't participate in the human olympics silly - they don't allow crayfish!!)

Like I said, this is a matter of life and death, obviously.

Thank you for your thoughts, prayers, snide remarks, and advice.

-William

Alshain · 07-06-2006, 02:36 PM

Best option... Bag the fish and drain the tank. Sorry but your plum out of luck trying to do it any other way.

smithw14 · 07-06-2006, 02:37 PM

But what is the best way for it to stick and stay flush w/o air pockets?

JRagg · 07-06-2006, 02:43 PM

The one I had on my 45 wasn't flush and I could see it perfectly fine. Granted I had the expensive background... $3.

I just used a few pieces of scotch tape to hold it on the ends and one in the center to keep it from sagging (and I did this while the tank was set up as well).

Alshain · 07-06-2006, 02:48 PM

I just pulled mine tight and scotch taped it on. I didn't even use doublesided tape. Of course now I prefer LWB's wonderfull spray paint method.

MattAquaBio · 07-06-2006, 03:01 PM

I had this problem, heres what you do:
Get a long brush, like an aquarium brush for example, and get some vasoline. Put some vasoline on the brush and use it to spread the vasoline as evenly as possible along the back of the tank, you want a thin layer.
Then get something flat (like a credit card or a c.d case or something, the longer the better) and use it to smooth out the background. I used a rolling pin gently because i had enough room, if not just use like a dvd case and get all the airpockets out.
HTH.

joannde · 07-06-2006, 03:01 PM

Can you shove a thin stick (like a yardstick ruler) between the back of the tank and the wall ? If you can, then use the ruler to smooth it out a bit and try taping it again.

MattAquaBio · 07-06-2006, 03:02 PM

yes a yardstick ruler! perfect! lol
Thats the long thing you could use lol. Gj Joannde.

**QTOFFER** · 07-06-2006, 03:32 PM

Don't use Vaseline. I did, and after a few months, the background developed tiny bumps and started to pucker. I'm guessing that something in petroleum jelly breaks down the plastic background.

When I replaced my backgrounds, I had the same problem as you - a 58 gal tank so close to the wall that I couldn't get my whole arm behind it. I went to Home Depot and got a wide, long handled squeegee in the wallpaper department.

I bought a background a few inches longer than I really needed and trimmed the bottom so it would fit snugly between the top and bottom frames. Then I generously coated it with corn oil and applied it to the back of the tank from above. Then, I used the squeegee to smooth out the bubbles. Having the tank lights on when you do this helps you see the bubbles. After the background was in place, I trimmed the excess from the sides with a razor blade.

It's been about 9 months, and the background still looks great - no bubbles.

smithw14 · 07-06-2006, 03:36 PM

Interesting....

::takes notes franticly::

07-06-2006, 02:26 PM	#1
smithw14 Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 80	Backgrounds Backgrounds Backgrounds In the name of good and evil, I find myself in the worst possible situation a fish...umm..person could EVER be in. This is worse than ANYTHING, and I am requesting help from all the experts! THIS IS LIFE OR DEATH!!!! Okay, so, I set my 55g up, pushed it to the wall leaving little space, set up the filter, heater, etc. Filled the tank, added the fish, then applied the background. "Did he say he applied the background as the last step?!" Why yes, I did. Quit your bickering. Needless to say it was a laborous process, with an end result leaving much to be desired. I've got it on there, sorta, but there are air pockets, especially in the center. When the light is on, it illuminates only the portions of the background that does not have air pockets. So I am left with a stinky (not my word of choice but i'm trying to be gentle here) looking background that I do not like. So yeah, I got a 600-800 lb object against the wall here and the back is not very assessable, especially the center. TO TOP IT ALL OFF, this background was a huge investment. I believe it rang to the ungodly amount of two dollars and fifty cents. Those kinds of prices should be illegal! I need help - how do I get this thing to stick on there flush? I used double sided take on the ends which was hard to do because once you set one side its hard to move or adjust. I think I just need to start over - but don't know the best way to get a smooth, even application. The rest of the tank looks magnificent. The crayfish loves the driftwood. He climbs up it and dives off it - I think he is practicing for the olympics (the crayfish olympics of course, he couldn't participate in the human olympics silly - they don't allow crayfish!!) Like I said, this is a matter of life and death, obviously. Thank you for your thoughts, prayers, snide remarks, and advice. -William

07-06-2006, 02:36 PM	#2
Alshain Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Tyler, TX Posts: 807 Images: 4	Best option... Bag the fish and drain the tank. Sorry but your plum out of luck trying to do it any other way. __________________ Remember to vote For AA! 55 Gallon Planted Tank

07-06-2006, 02:37 PM	#3
smithw14 Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 80	But what is the best way for it to stick and stay flush w/o air pockets? __________________ -1 tank - in my living room - couple of fish -another tank - in my bedroom - a few fish here and there. -Had to buy a sick tank. I can't pay my college tuition now.

07-06-2006, 02:43 PM	#4
JRagg Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: May 2006 Location: Olathe, KS Posts: 847 Images: 3	The one I had on my 45 wasn't flush and I could see it perfectly fine. Granted I had the expensive background... $3. I just used a few pieces of scotch tape to hold it on the ends and one in the center to keep it from sagging (and I did this while the tank was set up as well). __________________ 10g Heavily planted - 1 mating pair of Apistogramma Cacatuoides "Orangeflash" and a whole lot of MTS

07-06-2006, 03:01 PM	#7
joannde Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 1,724 Images: 6	Can you shove a thin stick (like a yardstick ruler) between the back of the tank and the wall ? If you can, then use the ruler to smooth it out a bit and try taping it again. __________________ 35G barebottom: 2 boesemani rainbowfish, 4 congo tetras, Low light plants (1.5wpg) attached to or planted in my own handmade ceramics - Anubia v Nana, Anubia v Barteri, Red Rubin Sword 2.5G - Spot (beautiful betta - Soft pink with red spots on his fins. Java Moss.

07-06-2006, 02:48 PM	#5
Alshain Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Tyler, TX Posts: 807 Images: 4	I just pulled mine tight and scotch taped it on. I didn't even use doublesided tape. Of course now I prefer LWB's wonderfull spray paint method.

07-06-2006, 03:01 PM	#6
MattAquaBio Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: north Georgia Posts: 199	I had this problem, heres what you do: Get a long brush, like an aquarium brush for example, and get some vasoline. Put some vasoline on the brush and use it to spread the vasoline as evenly as possible along the back of the tank, you want a thin layer. Then get something flat (like a credit card or a c.d case or something, the longer the better) and use it to smooth out the background. I used a rolling pin gently because i had enough room, if not just use like a dvd case and get all the airpockets out. HTH.

07-06-2006, 03:02 PM	#8
MattAquaBio Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: north Georgia Posts: 199	yes a yardstick ruler! perfect! lol Thats the long thing you could use lol. Gj Joannde.

07-06-2006, 03:32 PM	#9
QTOFFER Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Kew Gardens, NY Posts: 3,701 Images: 30	Don't use Vaseline. I did, and after a few months, the background developed tiny bumps and started to pucker. I'm guessing that something in petroleum jelly breaks down the plastic background. When I replaced my backgrounds, I had the same problem as you - a 58 gal tank so close to the wall that I couldn't get my whole arm behind it. I went to Home Depot and got a wide, long handled squeegee in the wallpaper department. I bought a background a few inches longer than I really needed and trimmed the bottom so it would fit snugly between the top and bottom frames. Then I generously coated it with corn oil and applied it to the back of the tank from above. Then, I used the squeegee to smooth out the bubbles. Having the tank lights on when you do this helps you see the bubbles. After the background was in place, I trimmed the excess from the sides with a razor blade. It's been about 9 months, and the background still looks great - no bubbles.

07-06-2006, 03:36 PM	#10
smithw14 Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 80	Interesting.... ::takes notes franticly:: __________________ -1 tank - in my living room - couple of fish -another tank - in my bedroom - a few fish here and there. -Had to buy a sick tank. I can't pay my college tuition now.

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