tank background - Aquarium Advice

fijiwigi · 03-09-2008, 02:35 PM

I need to put a background on my aquarium. I was going to buy the basic blue background paper at the LFS. I have had this before but it reflects light and dirt on the glass. What other options do I have for a tank background. I have read of people painting there tanks. I would think the paint would chip after the salt eats away at it. Is there other options

Can everyone post what they chose to do for a background. This would really help me out.

neilanh · 03-09-2008, 03:42 PM

Use vegetable oil to apply the background to the tank. This will seal it to the tank so stuff doesn't get in between the tank and the background.

Sadielynn · 03-09-2008, 03:45 PM

I just painted mine I cleaned it well with vinegar and then rinsed and wiped with acholol (keep out of tank

) Then I taped it off and painted the back , I did 3 or 4 coats on ours so far I have only had one small chip at the corner that I got from bumping it with something , to fix I took same paint placed in a cup (make sure the paint wont eat through it )And dabbed some on ,it matched fine and you can not see the touch up

You could get basic colors and get them laminated but that may be a bit costly for you

The other thing I have used is window tinting the static cling type that you use water and a squeege for not that hard to do and then you can pull it off should you grow sick of it

marchmaxima · 03-09-2008, 07:39 PM

An alternative to vegetable oil is vaseline. I would have used vegie oil, but I had fish in my tank already so couldn't afford the risk of getting it everywhere including inside the tank.

vaseline was a good alternative and has worked well.

tawolcott · 03-09-2008, 08:02 PM

Lemme just say this..... Eeeewwwwww

Actually, vaseline is probably more dangerous.. I think it's a petroleum (sp?) byproduct isn't it..

Double Eeeewwwww

@rtemis · 03-09-2008, 08:31 PM

Jeez, now you tell me about using vegetable oil.

When I attached my blue background I used Seaview The Official SEA VIEW Product Website - The Latest in Aquarium Innovation After reading this thread, I decided to smell & feel the Seaview. It sure smells like Vegetable oil and feels like Vegetable oil. I did not taste it though. The label says non toxic. I paid around 4 bucks for a 1 oz bottle. hmmm...If it is Vegetable oil, I got taken ripped off. Live and learn

FishEggs · 03-09-2008, 09:37 PM

I'd imagine olive oil will work too and IMO has a nicer feel and aroma to it. Another option is to make a 3d background on the inside of the tank.

fijiwigi · 03-09-2008, 09:47 PM

how would you make a 3D background on the inside of the tank??

Innovator · 03-09-2008, 09:52 PM

You can purchase thin acrylic from a hardware store (shouldn't cost more than $5) and paint either side whatever color you see fit and affix to back glass (outside of course). This would be easy to remove, clean, or just switch colors if you are bored.

fijiwigi · 03-09-2008, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Innovator

You can purchase thin acrylic from a hardware store (shouldn't cost more than $5) and paint either side whatever color you see fit and affix to back glass (outside of course). This would be easy to remove, clean, or just switch colors if you are bored.

I like that idea.
What do you use to affix the acrylic to the back of the tank?

03-09-2008, 02:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
fijiwigi Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Yakima, Washington Posts: 823 Images: 7	tank background I need to put a background on my aquarium. I was going to buy the basic blue background paper at the LFS. I have had this before but it reflects light and dirt on the glass. What other options do I have for a tank background. I have read of people painting there tanks. I would think the paint would chip after the salt eats away at it. Is there other options Can everyone post what they chose to do for a background. This would really help me out. __________________ {I am excited to create my personal mini-ocean with the much needed help From AquariumAdvice.com} S.D.M.F -FijiWigi-

03-09-2008, 03:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
neilanh AA Junkie Community Mentor Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 2,147 Images: 15	Use vegetable oil to apply the background to the tank. This will seal it to the tank so stuff doesn't get in between the tank and the background. __________________ ~Neilan In the DC Metro Area? Check out GWAPA Look, I have a My Info Page! Where's yours? Useful Links: Vote for AA, Nitrogen Cycle, Fishless Cycling, Articles, Acronym List

03-09-2008, 03:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
Sadielynn Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,227	I just painted mine I cleaned it well with vinegar and then rinsed and wiped with acholol (keep out of tank ) Then I taped it off and painted the back , I did 3 or 4 coats on ours so far I have only had one small chip at the corner that I got from bumping it with something , to fix I took same paint placed in a cup (make sure the paint wont eat through it )And dabbed some on ,it matched fine and you can not see the touch up You could get basic colors and get them laminated but that may be a bit costly for you The other thing I have used is window tinting the static cling type that you use water and a squeege for not that hard to do and then you can pull it off should you grow sick of it __________________ Sadielynn Nanoreefing site 2 nanos 10 gallons

03-09-2008, 07:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
marchmaxima Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 292	An alternative to vegetable oil is vaseline. I would have used vegie oil, but I had fish in my tank already so couldn't afford the risk of getting it everywhere including inside the tank. vaseline was a good alternative and has worked well. __________________ Sharon : Melbourne, Australia 15G Freshwater Tank

03-09-2008, 09:37 PM	#7 (permalink)
FishEggs Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Highland, Maryland Posts: 159	I'd imagine olive oil will work too and IMO has a nicer feel and aroma to it. Another option is to make a 3d background on the inside of the tank. __________________ ~Matt~ If you put off what you can do today until tomorrow it will never get done cause tomorrow never comes. It's always today.

03-09-2008, 08:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
tawolcott Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 238	Lemme just say this..... Eeeewwwwww Actually, vaseline is probably more dangerous.. I think it's a petroleum (sp?) byproduct isn't it.. Double Eeeewwwww

03-09-2008, 08:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
@rtemis Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: So. Cal. Posts: 62	Jeez, now you tell me about using vegetable oil. When I attached my blue background I used Seaview The Official SEA VIEW Product Website - The Latest in Aquarium Innovation After reading this thread, I decided to smell & feel the Seaview. It sure smells like Vegetable oil and feels like Vegetable oil. I did not taste it though. The label says non toxic. I paid around 4 bucks for a 1 oz bottle. hmmm...If it is Vegetable oil, I got taken ripped off. Live and learn

03-09-2008, 09:47 PM	#8 (permalink)
fijiwigi Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Yakima, Washington Posts: 823 Images: 7	how would you make a 3D background on the inside of the tank?? __________________ {I am excited to create my personal mini-ocean with the much needed help From AquariumAdvice.com} S.D.M.F -FijiWigi-

03-09-2008, 09:52 PM	#9 (permalink)
Innovator Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 736	You can purchase thin acrylic from a hardware store (shouldn't cost more than $5) and paint either side whatever color you see fit and affix to back glass (outside of course). This would be easy to remove, clean, or just switch colors if you are bored.

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