Installing an aquarium background

Question
Hi,

I chose to ask you since your profile says you worked at a pet store, etc. I bought an "Aqua Culture" aquarium background from Wally World. It came with no instructions, and doesn't seem to be a peel and stick type of thing. How in the world do I attach it to the aquarium?? Or should I just give up and get one from a pet store?

Thanks!

Answer
Hi Molly;

Most backgrounds are like that. We usually have to supply our own tape to hold them on. I've always used electrical tape or duct tape because they are water resistant. Some people even use regular scotch tape and it seems to work for them. Just normal one-sided tape is all you need, you don't need "double-stick" or anything like that. You would see the tape through the tank and it wouldn't look as nice.

Clean and dry the places on the tank frame where you will want the tape to stick. Moisten the picture side of the background with a damp sponge and apply the damp side to the tank glass. Use a credit card or something to smooth out bubbles. You may have to trim the background a little so it fits flat against the glass. Apply the tape to hold it on, rub the tape down to make sure it sticks flat and you're done!

You could also use a very, very thin layer of vaseline instead of water to hold it on as you tape it. It will last a long time. Smooth it flat with a credit card.  

I prefer to use one long strip of tape all the way across the top so that water doesn't drip between the glass and the background as much.

If your background is extra "curly" or has folds in it, lay it flat on a table or something and use a hair dryer to heat it up, or lay it out in the sun for a few minutes. Weight it down on the corners and let it cool and it should be pretty flat and easier to apply.

Have fun!

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins