Background mounting

Becca

Becca

Members
We have a "paper" background on the 150 and, after doing some research, mounted it using mineral oil. It looked great at first, but 2 weeks in and it is NOT sticking anymore.

What do others recommend for mounting a background on a tank?
 
blkmjk

blkmjk

Members
Painted black is my personal preference..... Not to keen on backgrounds my self. But i would think tape would be the go to solution. Or super glue.

Drew

NO GOOD DEED SHALL GO UNPUNISHED!
 
A

Ading522

Members
Dish soap..or soapy solution..that's what someone told me works, but haven't tried..

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chriscoli

chriscoli

Administrator
I gave up with stick-on backgrounds....I haven't had one that behaved itself.

I like paint. Tony recently suggested that I try brown instead of black....and I have to say, I really like the effect.
 
cichlidaddicted

cichlidaddicted

Members
Vegetable oil. Been holding mine on for months no bubbles. I pour a puddle on while on the floor then use a rag to distribute it evenly. Place it on then use a cd case or flat edge to press out air bubbles. The length it stays put for seems to be proportionate to how well you get all the bubbles out. You really have to push it on hard and scrape the whole thing. Use a generous amount of oil. I have tried everything even the products made for this none work better than vegetable oil.

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Becca

Becca

Members
chriscoli said:
I gave up with stick-on backgrounds....I haven't had one that behaved itself.

I like paint. Tony recently suggested that I try brown instead of black....and I have to say, I really like the effect.
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Yeah, we're never going to paint the back of the 150 - Jeremy is not into permanent solutions.

I did try a cocoa brown on the 29 but it didn't come out as dark as it should have, even with several coats. I think it looks neat, but it's going to show algae.
 
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Ading522

Members
Becca said:
Yeah, we're never going to paint the back of the 150 - Jeremy is not into permanent solutions.

I did try a cocoa brown on the 29 but it didn't come out as dark as it should have, even with several coats. I think it looks neat, but it's going to show algae.
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Paint isn't that permanent..it can easily be scraped off from the glass with a blade..could take work but I guess it works.. Acrylic paint is what is recommended by uarujoey from YouTube..you can check out one of his videos..

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AquaStudent

AquaStudent

CCA Members
I use scotch tape but you don't get the tight to the back seal. I'm curious about the oils and soap methods. I may have to give those a shot!
 
cichlidaddicted

cichlidaddicted

Members
Ime tape hoods it up well but the oil makes it appear as if it were actually painted on the tank. If you havnt tried this I definitely recommend it. Its the only reason I still use the generic backgrounds. When I used the all black or blue ones it appeared identical to a painted background possibly a bit brighter even. Nothing is more aggravating than bubbles in your background!

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AquaStudent

AquaStudent

CCA Members
For the oil method how important is it to use veggie oil rather than another type? I only have olive oil in my apartment :)

Any more input on the soapy solution and if it works?

Taping up after applying one of the solutions may make it more reliable.
 
cichlidaddicted

cichlidaddicted

Members
I use v oil because its whats in my cabinet. I'm sure any oil product would work. I have also used the soap method it seems like the outcome is very similar but the oil seemed to last longer than the soap. Same concept- using a liquid makes it "suction" on to the back of the tank and makes it easier to push the air bubbles out. Once all the bubbles are out it isn't going anywhere until you yank it off tape helps hold the edges down if its going to start to peel it will be from the egdes. Most likely because it was brushed or bumped by accident.

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Becca

Becca

Members
AquaStudent said:
For the oil method how important is it to use veggie oil rather than another type? I only have olive oil in my apartment :)

Any more input on the soapy solution and if it works?

Taping up after applying one of the solutions may make it more reliable.
Click to expand...

I used mineral oil and I read another option was vaseline. The problem is that the oil can get onto the tape and loosen it. Also, I cannot, no matter how hard I try, get all the bubbles out. Even when i get most of them out, they start to reform after a week or two.

I got the background pretty flat before the 150 was filled, but now that it's filled, and moved close to the wall, I can't get behind it anymore, so I can't start over.
 
cichlidaddicted

cichlidaddicted

Members
Becca said:
I used mineral oil and I read another option was vaseline. The problem is that the oil can get onto the tape and loosen it. Also, I cannot, no matter how hard I try, get all the bubbles out. Even when i get most of them out, they start to reform after a week or two.

I got the background pretty flat before the 150 was filled, but now that it's filled, and moved close to the wall, I can't get behind it anymore, so I can't start over.
Click to expand...

Yes my tank is a peninsula so getting behind is easy. Without being able to get behind, your up the creek :) I have also had issues with bubbles but in every case it was due to dust or debris compromising my ability to get the bubble out in the first place. Even the tiniest of bubbles grows exponentially in no time at all. It is definantly a very sensitive project that requires a few stars (dust, creases ect.) To align.

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Hawkman2000

Hawkman2000

Members
I've been ussing dish soap for years. Had one stick with no bubbling or peeling for 7 years.
First clean the glass with alcohol. Then I spread a good amount on the glass. Then I place the background on, tucking in the top and bottom. Then I use a credit card to push out the excess soap and bubbles toward the edges. This can get a bit messy so keep paper towles handy. Then I clean edges of the tank and the back of the background with water then alcohol. Then I cut the edges off with a razor,and tape the edges on the corner with clean duck tape.

Its a bit of work, but I have always been happy with the results.
 
Becca

Becca

Members
Hawkman2000 said:
I've been ussing dish soap for years. Had one stick with no bubbling or peeling for 7 years.
First clean the glass with alcohol. Then I spread a good amount on the glass. Then I place the background on, tucking in the top and bottom. Then I use a credit card to push out the excess soap and bubbles toward the edges. This can get a bit messy so keep paper towles handy. Then I clean edges of the tank and the back of the background with water then alcohol. Then I cut the edges off with a razor,and tape the edges on the corner with clean duck tape.

Its a bit of work, but I have always been happy with the results.
Click to expand...

So just straight dish soap, not watered down?
 
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