Glue

[zcfish]

What do you think the best to use to glue paper background to the tank? I got tired of background detached from the glass and water gets in there. It needs to be colorless and not too strong. Silicon? Vaseline? Anyone has done this? Pro and cons?

[DiscusnAfricans]

You can get clear self adhesive tabs that are usually used to put posters on walls. They're made to not leave residue and are usually easy to remove which is nice when it comes to fish tanks. I usually get them at wal mart or CVS.

[BlondeFishGal]

You can get clear self adhesive tabs that are usually used to put posters on walls. They're made to not leave residue and are usually easy to remove which is nice when it comes to fish tanks. I usually get them at wal mart or CVS.

:I_agree:

I don't like to glue (or paint) mine, b/c I am such a visual person and get bored if there isn't change. I get double sided backgrounds for my show tanks -- you know black on one side, dark blue on the other. Flipping them every couple of months gives the tanks a brand new look. The tabs make it easy to do that.

[zcfish]

Yes tabs would be good for that I have been using scotch taps and tabs would be an improvement. I have had this background for more than 6 months and I have to say barring any 3D background this is the best I have seem (although that will change right after I glue it on permeanantly). I have bought a tank before it had a background glue on although I don't know what kind of glue. the glued on look is different from taped on look because of the closer contact to the glass. It's brighter. Also painted look is different from a solid color paper background. I have both and the painted look is much nicer.

[DiscusnAfricans]

There is a background adhesive that is kind of gel or oil based. I think its called seaclear or seaview. It kind of works like applying tint to car windows. Put the liquid on the background, put on the back of the tank, and use a scraper to ensure proper adhesion and remove air bubbles. I don't personally like it because its not really a glue and it won't permanently hold, but I think that is what you might be referring to.

[zcfish]

There is a background adhesive that is kind of gel or oil based. I think its called seaclear or seaview. It kind of works like applying tint to car windows. Put the liquid on the background, put on the back of the tank, and use a scraper to ensure proper adhesion and remove air bubbles. I don't personally like it because its not really a glue and it won't permanently hold, but I think that is what you might be referring to.
Never thought of this. We have some of the windows tinted and there's a special solution that you buy with the tint. I' definitely give it a try. I joked with my wife these are just soapy water but evidentally worked pretty well with the window tints. And I have it right in my house!

[Shabe]

I used vegetable oil on the back of my 125. I applied a very light coat on with a paper towel. Placed the background on and used a credit card to squeegee it on. It's been up for over two years with no peal offs yet.

It is not messy at all, also no odor or discoloration.

Try it on a window first you will see it works well.

[DiscusnAfricans]

Never thought of this. We have some of the windows tinted and there's a special solution that you buy with the tint. I' definitely give it a try. I joked with my wife these are just soapy water but evidentally worked pretty well with the window tints. And I have it right in my house!

That stuff is pretty much soap and water with a few extra chemicals to make it seem fancy. A buddy of mine used to tint car windows on the side and he actually used soap and water for the solution. For car tint though, you peel off a backing and it already has an adhesive applied, the soap and water kind of "activate" it and help the bond. The vegetable oil idea is the same concept though, may want to give it a try. Good luck!

[joevc1]

There is a background adhesive that is kind of gel or oil based. I think its called seaclear or seaview. It kind of works like applying tint to car windows. Put the liquid on the background, put on the back of the tank, and use a scraper to ensure proper adhesion and remove air bubbles. I don't personally like it because its not really a glue and it won't permanently hold, but I think that is what you might be referring to.

I never tried it but here is a link for it.

http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/6644/product.web

[zcfish]

Guys I just did this and used the leftover window tint solution. super easy and looks spectacular . I guess even soap water will do. Thanks for the help sometime you just got to talk to people.