wallpaper

[amethystlady]

Can anyone give me the pros and cons of using/not using wallpaper?

Thanks

[turtle10]

Pro- fish feels safer
-don't have to worry about seeing ugly cords
-removable
-depending on what wallpaper you use, it could remove reflections in the glass that bettas sometimes flare at
-it's pretty!



Cons- if looking for the fish you can't go to the back off the tank to see if he is hiding somewhere, the wall paper will block your view.
-you need the glue stuff to get it to work properly, and it is gross and sticky lol


That is all I can think of right now. I have a wall paper on my pea puffer's tank, it makes him feel safer since the back isn't "open" to anything. I can take a picture of it if you want, as an example.

[Lion Mom]

Why do you have to "glue" it? Why not just tape it like any other tank backing?

BTW, I am 100% in favor of having a backing. Not only does it help hide cords (UGLY, IMO), but it also gives the tank depth.

[turtle10]

Because without the glue it doesn't completely bond to the tank glass. You don't have to glue it, but if you use the glue you're supposed to use it looks so much better and a lot less dull. If you just use tape there is still than thin layer of air that blocks the wallpaper from being viewed the way it is supposed to.

I read somewhere that a cool alternative to typical pet store backgrounds is to use fabric or paint on a hard piece of cardboard (take care not to get paint in tank!).

[Littlebittyfish]

I just use colored construction paper....ghetto...I know...I use tape..

I'm not fond of the premade wallpaper stuff they have at the petstores around here.It's either..black..blue..or ocean scene.
and me..I prefer pink.

[Siren1974]

If you use the fancy plastic type backgrounds you can hold those in place using cooking oil. It does take a while to put it on properly. You have to use something flat to smooth out any bubbles but it gives the look of "glued on" without the problems of getting it off afterwards :)

[Lion Mom]

Originally Posted by Littlebittyfish

I just use colored construction paper....ghetto...I know...I use tape..

I'm not fond of the premade wallpaper stuff they have at the petstores around here.It's either..black..blue..or ocean scene.
and me..I prefer pink.

Hey, I use poster board & tape. Cheap & easy to change out if you want to change the color.

[Littlebittyfish]

Originally Posted by Lion Mom

Hey, I use poster board & tape. Cheap & easy to change out if you want to change the color.

yea right? haha.
I always change the colors on my fish tanks. They can even have holiday themed backgrounds.

[turtle10]

Lol for christmas I tape ribbon around the black edging :), I will have to try holiday-themed wallpaper too!

[amethystlady]

Thank you all for your great replies!