Stick on tiles for background?

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midnightmadman

midnightmadman

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I had an idea and was wondering if anyone has tried it yet? I was thinking of buying some vinyl stick on tiles that look like rock for a floor and using them to stick on the back of the aquarium when dry before I set it up. I was thinking of cutting them at angles and jagged and then overlapping some to create a little depth. Anyone see a problem with doing it? My only concern may the be the adhesive.
 
platytudes

platytudes

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I'm not sure about the toxicity of the adhesive (you'd probably have to call the company and ask what the adhesive is) but I doubt it could stay glued forever. That glue is not meant to be underwater. If you didn't like it you'd have a heck of a mess trying to peel it off the tank (lots of Goo Gone!)

I've seen this done in reptile tanks, honestly I don't think it works so well or looks so good.

I'd recommend maybe using slate tiles, breaking them up and piecing them back together maybe? You could use 100% silicone.

Depending on the size of your tank, a 3D background might not be too expensive:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_s...+backgrounds&sprefix=universal+rocks,pets,317
 
midnightmadman

midnightmadman

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platytudes said:
I'm not sure about the toxicity of the adhesive (you'd probably have to call the company and ask what the adhesive is) but I doubt it could stay glued forever. That glue is not meant to be underwater. If you didn't like it you'd have a heck of a mess trying to peel it off the tank (lots of Goo Gone!)

I've seen this done in reptile tanks, honestly I don't think it works so well or looks so good.

I'd recommend maybe using slate tiles, breaking them up and piecing them back together maybe? You could use 100% silicone.

Depending on the size of your tank, a 3D background might not be too expensive:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_s...+backgrounds&sprefix=universal+rocks,pets,317
Click to expand...
I've done that with the slate years ago. It came out great but a LOT of work and it was hard to get them thin enough. I have to think about this. They also sell the vinyl tiles without adhesive and are cheaper.. so maybe they can be siliconed in.
 
SubRosa

SubRosa

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Slate roofing tiles.
 
midnightmadman

midnightmadman

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Sometimes I think solid flat painted or vinyl black looks best and seems to show off the fish colors more! Hard to decide
 
Fish_Bone

Fish_Bone

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You could always stick with the toxic adhesive ones. Just stick them to a backer board and place it outside the back of your tank. still get the look without the worries. But if you intent is to hide your equipment/ tubes then this is not a good idea.
 
midnightmadman

midnightmadman

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Fish_Bone said:
You could always stick with the toxic adhesive ones. Just stick them to a backer board and place it outside the back of your tank. still get the look without the worries. But if you intent is to hide your equipment/ tubes then this is not a good idea.
Click to expand...
True but it never looks 'right' with it behind the glass, you know what I mean
 
CWO4GUNNER

CWO4GUNNER

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Sounds like a very good especially if using vinyl stick-on tiles that you can trim to size using scissors. Every adhesive I have ever used so far in my tanks has never hurt my fish, aluminum tape, gorilla glue, silicone, super-glue. I think the key is that whatever adhesive needs to be completely cured before water immersion. I think Im going to try your idea.
 
G

garyfla

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Hi
have you thought of expanding foam?? i like to use it without the cement, color obtained from acrylic paint..
If a small tank you can make it on a table top with appropriate holes for fillters heater ,etc.
I love it for backgrounds as it's soooo adaptable in every way
gary
 
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