Tank Backgound

So my 1.8m decided to spring a leak and dump its contents onmy floor :sick: I’m replacing it with a custom 1.3m to better fit into the bar. The previoustank had a mirror as background, and although it gave the illusion of a lotmore space, I don’t like the reflection at all.

Now the question. What background to use. I see the tank ofthe month on APSA has a blue background which I think looks stunning. I’ve alsoseen some black backgrounds that look really good.

So, out: Printed petshop backgrounds, mirrors and 3Dbackgrounds (Not confident enough to pull this off)

What would you guys advise? Ideally illustrate your advicewith an example from your tank or a friend’s.

Thanks a million.

 

whatever colour you like get vynill from a print shop. it protects the back from scratches and is very easy to put it on. and when you want another one you just simply pull it of. my 1.2x80cm piece cost me R60. a Gray-ish blue background will be nice, i personally like the black background

 

I say go for the black. Really brings out color of plants etc. It's really up to personal taste actually.

 

Thanks guys.

I also preferred the black, until I was blown away by Morris's tank with the blue background.

@Ryno, how do you stick the vynil to the back of the tank?

 

with a bank card and soap water. any print shop will show you how to do it. basically wet the glue part with soap water and stick put it on the glass, then use bank card to iron out the wrinkels. obviously dont try it if you have a running tank already, gonna kill all the fishies :alberteinstein:

 

Aaah,

And here I thought it goes on the outside of the glass. Good I asked.

 

it goes on the outside of the tank

 

OK, now I catch on. Its still to early in the morning :embarrest:

 

Haha :coffee:

 

@friedlandnam - Another option if you can't get the vinyl as suggested by @Ryno is to get a standard blue/black/printed background and use a trick @Zoom taught me. Spread olive oil on the background then the bank card to smooth out the bubbles. It works really well.

 

@friedlandnam you could also try @spider 's method, which is to get a piece of polystyrene, paint one side black and one side blue, this you can stick to the back of the tank (outside lol) and swop the it around whenever you get bored of the colour - p.s. it also helps with the insulation of the tank, i.e. keeping the temperature stable.

@SloMo.00. dude, your tank looks stunning!!

 

Thanks @mydummyname. It's a bit tea colored from the PFP. Will post update pics in due time.

@friedlandman, I didn't opt for the polystyrene, It is a great method though. I just painted my glass on the outside. No bubbles issues etc. And I like the black. Allways have thus I opted for the permanent method.

Good luck and remember to post pics of your tank. We love pics...

 

absolutely! mad about pics!!

 

The other option is to get Styrofoam and paint with craft paint. colour 7 gives a nice dark blue colour it sort of give you more depth. Sample

 

@spider, exactly right.

 

How do you stick the polystyrene/styrofoam to the back of the tank?

 

i use cellotape, some people use prestic, but then you can see the little white spots throu the tank, its not bad, but you can see it. so for me cellotape works the best.

 

Thx for all the help.