Background Advice

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Cloudk

Cloudk

Candiru
MFK Member
Oct 25, 2010
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Swimming in a mountain river
So I'm gonna put on one of those big paper backgrounds. Been looking into the gel stuff you put on there to take away glare. But my tank is like 8ftx2ft, there isn't much space behind the tank, and I'm not stretch armstong, so I couldn't smooth out the bubbles that a lot of people seem to have trouble w/( sounds like screen protectors!:D). So, is there anyway I can accomplish the same goal w/ the rediculasness of mineral oil, veggie oil, or any of the highly bubbly stuff. And if not, then can I do anything to reduce that taped on glossy look? If not, then a suggestion for putting it on there, I don't think tape would work well in my situation but if I have too, maybe long strips of double sided clear tape? Glue? And I don't want to paint it, not really my style. Thanks!
 
I have used the SeaView gel for a background on my 120g. It does look good except for around some of the edges it bubbled a little. It just did not seem to want to stick if the background was not perfectly flat; even a little bit of a ripple from shipping and it had an air bubble. Just seems like the product needed to be a bit stickier.

It would be a pain to do this with a tank that is already set up. Mine was empty and I could lay it down so as to work horizontally with the background.

I am in the process of setting up a 210g and am wondering if I should try the SeaView one more time or try something else. And I dont want to paint it.
 
I have used the SeaView product as well and as DMD123 said, if there is one dent, ripple or crease the background will have air bubbles that will not completely remove. Also the edges on mine lifted slightly as well.

As far as advice, I don't think you'll be able to accomplish what your hoping to without enough clearance to access the back fully. Also don't use vegetable oil under any circumstances. It will smell bad as it ages (it goes rancid). You may have to live with the glossy/cloudy look of a taped on BG until your next tear down.

I wish I had something better to offer you.

Good luck and let us know what you decide and how it came out.
 
I'll probably just find some big clear double sided tape, and put one stripe on top, and one on bottom. I'll post and let you know how it goes. Fingers crossed!
 
Wish I could afford those 3D backgrounds. The amazon tree from "designs by nature" would be so perfect!
 
I hear ya Cloudk. I would like one of those as well but there is a breaking point for me regarding decoration. I'm gonna have to DIY a background one of these days.
 
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