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	Backdrop
eogle Hobbyist Posts: 58 Kudos: 24 Votes: 56 Registered: 28-Feb-2006	Edited by eogle I recently bought a backdrop for my aquarium. Do I just cut it and use tape to put it on? What kind of tape should I use? -Eric "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
Posted 11-Jun-2006 17:34
FRANK Moderator Posts: 5108 Kudos: 5263 Votes: 1690 Registered: 28-Dec-2002	Hi, When I used commerical backdrops, I just used scotch tape to hold it to the tank. It does not last forever, but then water, moisture, frequently gets between the tank and the backdrop where it evaporates and leaves behind white carbonate deposits. Sooner or later the accumulation becomes ugly unsightly and you need to remove the backdrop clean it and the tank and then replace it. The scotch tape makes this routine easy. Frank -->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--
Posted 11-Jun-2006 17:57
Babelfish Administrator Small Fry with Ketchup Posts: 6833 Kudos: 8324 Votes: 1570 Registered: 17-Apr-2003	A tip I was very skeptical about when I first heard of it is to use oil to hold the background on. I used veggie oil, but aparently you can also use petroleum jelly. The idea is to form a thin layer on the background then apply the background to the outside of the tank. The oil layer forms a tight seal causing the background to appear brighter and bolder than if it were held on with tape. Smooth out the background onto the tank then use a squeege or a straight edge (I found a paint stick works very well!) to smooth the bubbles out. This works best if the tank isnt yet stocked and scaped, but it can also work well even if the tank is inplace and against the wall, you just might need to use a slightly longer straight edge like I did . Tape does also work,but I've found that the moisture often causes scotch tape (and duct tape ) to lose it's grip. ^_^
Posted 11-Jun-2006 22:53
crusha Enthusiast Fish Geek Posts: 262 Kudos: 183 Votes: 102 Registered: 11-Nov-2005	Gee I wish i'd known about the oil Babel. Whatever you do DONT silicon it onto the glass. That's what we did and now I cant take it off to clean all those white spill marks Frank mentioned. Definately going to try the oil method next time. Those who say they cant, Never will !!!
Posted 12-Jun-2006 02:53
OldTimer Mega Fish USAF Retired Posts: 1181 Kudos: 1294 Votes: 809 Registered: 08-Feb-2005	Edited by OldTimer Another option you might consider is to use 2-sided tape. I've found that it holds the backgrounds very securely and as it forms a seal between the glass and the background is very effective at keeping moisture out. Jim Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. -- Mark Twain
Posted 12-Jun-2006 03:40
eogle Hobbyist Posts: 58 Kudos: 24 Votes: 56 Registered: 28-Feb-2006	Thanks for the advice. -Eric "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
Posted 13-Jun-2006 02:50


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