What to use for background?

[Cap'n]

Roplast.

Alans' works great because you can still view his tank from the other side and have him sitting at the computer as a background.

[AJ_77]

[Vagabond]

Vertex,

When you apply the Mactac you simply start at one edge and begin to peel back the backing paper. Once you have it started, tack the edge down along the edge of the back glass then use a spray bottle to wet down the sticky side as you continue peeling and placing it accross the back of the tank. The water allows you to move the mack tac around a bit and makes it easier to squeegee out any air bubbles you will get (I used a credit card but as Tak suggested the applicator may work better).

The biggest help to this process (off a thread on RC) was adding a couple of drops of dish soap to the water. It made adjusting the backing and moving the air bubbles out a much much easier. The soap may create a slight milky film but this dissapears when the water dries up.

As for removing the backing once it is on, I would say it should take about 10 seconds Once you get a corner peeled back just pull.

[albert_dao]

Or you could go with insulation foam. That stuff is awesome.

[Invigor]

Originally Posted by albert_dao

Or you could go with insulation foam. That stuff is awesome.

that stuff is almost like dw40, you can use it for anything!

i nicely clean cut piece works well as a dry squeegy

[monza]

All those suggestions besides paint work if you can access the back glass for cleaning. My tanks are as close to a wall as possible, the plumping keeps it a bit off. So if water spills down the back some how and went between the glass and non painted backing I could never clean it without draining the tank.

Coroplast is the other name for the cardboard like plastic. I believe Stanley’s sells it as well.

Dave

[BMW Rider]

I used auto window tint film for my 50 FOWLR tank. I used the Limo tint, the darkest grade, and it looks great. You could see through it slightly prior to filling, but once the tank is filled, it is totally black.

[Cap'n]

Originally Posted by monza

Coroplast is the other name for the cardboard like plastic.
Dave

That's what I meant, didn't think it sounded quite right.

[Bob I]

You can go to the LFS and buy some of their background. I use the one that is blue on one side and black on the other. You buy it by the foot.

[Tarolisol]

I would have just bought the stuff from the fish store but i havent seen it in 30" plus i need 9.5 feet