Adhesive For Background?

Contour41482

When I put the new background on my tank, it didn't show as well as I thought it would. So I sprayed it with water and squeegeed it on the back and taped it up. Now that the water is starting to dry, there are dark bubbles where it's dried up. I was wondering if there was an adhesive to apply to the background to make the background stay up and be as bright as when I applied the water. It's a matte finish and not a gloss. Any ideas would be appreciated!

Tommy Gun

Welcome to the forum Contour!!!!

The best method that I have found for applying backgrounds is to use Petroleum jelly. In fact, as soon as I find time, I am working on an article or something along those lines on how to go about things.

All I do is spread the petroleum jelly on the back of the tank...trying to keep it on an even, thin layer...and then simply stick the background to the tank.

After you have it on the tank, be sure to trim the background so that it is exactly the size of the tank

The last step is to smooth out the background in order to get any air bubbles and/or extra petroleum jelly out. You can use anything from a credit card to a rolling pin.



That is really all it takes and it lasts for a VERY long time. Also, dont worry about any small streaks of petroleum jelly...it will become more and more clear over time.

gm333

sovereignman

Go to www.youraquariumcenter.com they carry background sealer that glues the background to your tank. It's called seaview aquarium background enhancer. It's on sale right now for $4.49. You can find it by clicking on the backgrounds tab on the left side of the page.

mikek996

I did it with the vaseline it works great.

nyrmel

I happened to have to set my Tank on my dressor with a waterproof/mat and the same dressor had a nice full sized mirror it really is quite a neat looking effect for being the only possible place I could put it I was careful to run the cords and everything just so along the back and hid them so the whole tank reflects back and looks really deep. Plus it makes my few fish look like more I cant wait to see what it will do when I have a fuller stocked tank. Funny how it worked out that way though But I think if I ever have a time that I can have additional tanks I will have to buy more mirrors. It is also a bit easier to see the fish that are hiding behind the plants at the back sense I can see there reflection. ok there is my 2 or maybe 3 cents. but for those without a mirror I wonder if they make just a mirrored surface backing The jelly looks kinda messy but I bet it really does work wonders, ill be filing that in the back of my mind with all sorts of other stuff not think about it and someone will ask years down the road and I'll have a reverse senior moment and say Hey try this.... Hey can happen and has been happening alot as I read people's questions in here. Make sure you post a pic of that background I would like to see how it turned out. Since Tommy only showed the back of his.

Judge

Welcome to FTF. You have come to the right place for knowledge and laughs. Glad you're here and let us know how we can help. I use the petroleum method..works great.

tony

Petroleum jelly is the way to go. It made my fuzzy black background jet black. And it gets better with time.
Should be able to see it in my signature.

nyrmel

looks good you have a reflective look too I really like the look of haveing more fish than i do once i know my tank will be ok and i can get some more fish it willl be better right now though the mirror is the only way i can find my shrimp as he likes to hide behide some plants in the back of the tank but with the mirror and looking from the side I can see him just fine. gonna still keep feeding him at the front of the tank though in an attemot to make him think that is where all the "cool" kids hang out