Slough Shark Posted January 8, 2008 Report Share Posted January 8, 2008 Does anyone know of a meterial I can use as the background to my background? I want to make a nackground for my 6 gallon tank out of cork bark, but I need some material that silicone adheres to, and that I can cut easily. I was thinking some kind of thin wood (maybe the stuff they use for plane models) because it doesn't need to be very strong (it will be supported by the acrylic back pane, and the front will be protected by the bark). What do you DIY guys think? I am using the tank to house captive bred Celestial Pearl Danios (hopefully), otherwise it will likely be shrimp or a betta pair. Thanks, Taylor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Chicklets Posted January 8, 2008 Report Share Posted January 8, 2008 Can you not attach the cork to the back of the tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slough Shark Posted January 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2008 I don't really want to. If it turns out I don't like it, it will be hard to get the cork off of the Acrylic and probably wouldn't be a lot easier to get off the glass tank either (I'm thinking of doing both now), so I wanted to use the above mentioned material and give it dabs of silicone, just enough to keep it attatched. Plus I need to be in control of the shape of the background because I'd like to cover the filter intake (only in the 6 Gallon). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted January 8, 2008 Report Share Posted January 8, 2008 If there is a lip around the top of your tank, then you don't need to glue it to anything. Cut the cork the exact shape as your back wall, and place it in the empty tank. Then add your substrate, then add water. It should stay wedged in place, nicely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigA Posted January 8, 2008 Report Share Posted January 8, 2008 I was thinking fluted or corrugated plastic. It's light, cuts easily, has a flat surface for the silicone to adhere to, and comes in a variety of colours that make it easy to camoflauge.. I haven't used it yet myself, but it is in the plan for one of my new tanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slough Shark Posted January 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2008 That sounds great, thanks guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qattarra Posted January 8, 2008 Report Share Posted January 8, 2008 One thing you need to keep in mind is spaces. Spaces offer refuge to small fish that can fit in and may get stuck. It is also difficult to clean out if stuff gets in there. So I'd advise to ensure you have everything right to the glass and avoid these spaces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slough Shark Posted January 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 Yeah, I'll probably end up adding a few beads of silicone just to be safe. Thanks for the heads up, Taylor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slough Shark Posted January 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2008 Haha, I just realized I could simply use styrofoam to silicone the stuff to! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snaggle Posted January 20, 2008 Report Share Posted January 20, 2008 Have you checked out the links that I posted here. http://albertaaquatica.com/index.php?showtopic=16982 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slough Shark Posted January 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2008 Oh yeah, I remember looking at those a year or so ago when I was thinking about making a background for the first time. That's good stuff. Thanks for reminding me! Taylor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
original kuhli Posted March 24, 2008 Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 Signmakers vinyl works really well for future reference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seajays Posted March 24, 2008 Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 (edited) I use Black vinyl for all the backs. Works very well when put on the outside of the glass Edited March 24, 2008 by seajays Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slough Shark Posted March 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 Those sound like good options guys. I ended up using Patrick's brilliant idea of coloured fabric on the back. This along with a bunch of stone and wood covering up most of the back allows for a natural look that is easy for me to photograph! For my 20 gallon river tank I am using a dark blue fabric, but I hope to find a sandy green colour soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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