Aquarium backgrounds

[Marksfish]

I have read on newsgroups previously about how to place a background on the
rear of the tank so that water does not ingress down the back and leave that
awful "bubble" effect, but cannot remember what the knack is for the life of
me. I was considering putting copydex on the rear glass and then laying the
background on using a window squeegee to remove all the air bubbles.

The otter alternative is to paint the rear, but I cannot decide on black or
blue. This is to be a marine aquarium and generally the back is blue, but if
I change at a later date I may want it a different colour. If I go for blue,
what shade should it be as there are many? Obviously emulsion is no good as
it is a water based paint, what about satin?

Thanks for your thoughts.

Regards

Mark
www.marksfish.me.uk

[Funfly3]

"Marksfish" > wrote in message
...
>I have read on newsgroups previously about how to place a background on the
>rear of the tank so that water does not ingress down the back and leave
>that awful "bubble" effect, but cannot remember what the knack is for the
>life of me. I was considering putting copydex on the rear glass and then
>laying the background on using a window squeegee to remove all the air
>bubbles.
>
> The otter alternative is to paint the rear, but I cannot decide on black
> or blue. This is to be a marine aquarium and generally the back is blue,
> but if I change at a later date I may want it a different colour. If I go
> for blue, what shade should it be as there are many? Obviously emulsion is
> no good as it is a water based paint, what about satin?
>
> Thanks for your thoughts.
>
> Regards
>
> Mark
> www.marksfish.me.uk
>
I only tape mine with electricians tape and its worked fine for years and no
water marks on mine

[H]

I always get a mirror and cut it to size with a glass cutter, every one
comments about it when seen, looks a bit dull when the lights are off but
when there on "STUNNING".

H



"Funfly3" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Marksfish" > wrote in message
> ...
>>I have read on newsgroups previously about how to place a background on
>>the rear of the tank so that water does not ingress down the back and
>>leave that awful "bubble" effect, but cannot remember what the knack is
>>for the life of me. I was considering putting copydex on the rear glass
>>and then laying the background on using a window squeegee to remove all
>>the air bubbles.
>>
>> The otter alternative is to paint the rear, but I cannot decide on black
>> or blue. This is to be a marine aquarium and generally the back is blue,
>> but if I change at a later date I may want it a different colour. If I go
>> for blue, what shade should it be as there are many? Obviously emulsion
>> is no good as it is a water based paint, what about satin?
>>
>> Thanks for your thoughts.
>>
>> Regards
>>
>> Mark
>> www.marksfish.me.uk
>>
> I only tape mine with electricians tape and its worked fine for years and
> no water marks on mine
>

[RickS]

I think this is what you were looking for and is made by Petscape products.

Ocean Visions adhesive backgrounds:

http://www.petscapeproducts.com/index.cfm?action=cat.prodInfo&productID=17&categoryID=1


They apply to the tank just like automotive window tint. Just spray a
little soapy water on the back of the tank and the background, position it,
squeegee out the water/bubbles and they dry perfectly flat. Once dry, water
will not drip between them and the the glass as you had mentioned. It can
be ordered online from www.thatfishplace.com. I've installed this product
on many tanks and it's very easy to do.

They even have (had?) a mirror version available, although the reflections
of "other fish" can stress the fish and I don't recommend it for that
reason. I spoke to the manufacturer once and I believe they were going to
discontinue the mirror for that reason. My previous tank had the mirror and
I did witness this myself although it did look nice.

As far as colors though, blue looks great. However, black will increase the
apparent depth of your tank and makes it less obvious where the back of the
tank is. Almost makes the back seem infinite as the black back just becomes
a point that you can't see beyond in the water. Also, based on your
equipment, but filters, heaters, plumbing fittings that are black will
"disappear" into a black background making your equipment much less visible.
All my tanks are black and I'd never go back to anything else.


--
Check out my 450 Gallon Fish Only Tank at:
www.rickysinger.com