Oracal Vinyl Sheeting

[Toby_H]

https://a.co/d/aWhqVZ5

Has anyone use this product, Oracal Vinyl Sheeting, as backgrounds for their aquariums?

I typically paint mine. Sometimes Spray Paint, other times Latex House Paint. Both work well. Please note, this is painting the OUTSIDE of the glass, not the submersed inside.

But... The tanks I just got are too big to move around any more than absolute necessary. So I can't carry them in the yard, flip them around, and paint the back, bottoms and sides.

So I'm trying this stuff. Since the sticky side meets the glass, I'm unsure how it'll look. I'll apply it to the bottom first, in case it looks ugly. But I'm hopeful this may be a new solution for all my upcoming tanks.

 

[Backfromthedead]

Might use a roller or something to press it on to the glass as you apply it to avoid air bubbles/folds in the sheet.

 

[FJB]

Black construction paper (matte) works great and last forever (10 years going). Cheap and removable too and easy to apply even with already running tanks.

 

[Toby_H]

Phase one trying this stuff... It's a pain in the a--.....

I did the bottom of the tank first, which is a 60" x 30" panel of glass. The roll is only 26" wide, so I knew it wouldn't go all the way to the back. Its surely not easy to work with. Would be easier with two people. One person to hold it taunt just above where it belongs and a second person to squeegee it.

I watched a couple videos on applying it and will give it another shot before I give up.

If attempt #2 doesn't go well, they're still to big to paint. So I may end up trying something like FJB suggested above. I have corrugated plastic that may work well. My concern there is I don't have sheets big enough to do it as one piece. But I suspect I could connect black panels with black electrical tape and it will bland well enough.

 

[quikv6]

I have used blackout window film on multiple tanks successfully, and I am assuming this vinyl roll is similar. Here are some suggestions that worked for me when installing:

1) Cut the film as close to the size of the panel as you can get, before trying it on the tank. The more excess you have, the more potential for bubbles, folds, etc.

2) Mix a spray bottle with water and some Stress Coat. The Stress Coat will add lubricity and slickness, and allow the film to be maneuvered slickly and easily on the glass.

3) Spray mix liberally on the glass, and spray on film as you peel off the protective layer.

4) Position into place and cut any excess with a razor. A ruler helps to guide the blade.

5) Use a hair dryer (not heat gun), to dry the film and evaporate the water as you squeegee the excess water out. I used something akin to a flexible larger credit card. (It was a semi rigid plastic tool for automotive body filler.) I went from the middle top, out to both sides, then toward the bottom. Water goes down easier than up.

 

[Toby_H]

...

2) Mix a spray bottle with water and some Stress Coat. The Stress Coat will add lubricity and slickness, and allow the film to be maneuvered slickly and easily on the glass.
...

As in... API Stress Coat? The fish medication?

Thanks for the tips! I'll definitely add them to my new methods...


PS... What ratio did you mix the Stress Coat vs Water?

 

[quikv6]

Yes.....API Stress Coat. It's a Dechlorinator, and not really a med. It is obviously fish-safe....and is great to add lubricity for sliding the wrap around. I didn't use an exact ratio. Maybe 2 capfuls to half a spray bottle. Enough to give the water a blue tint, and add slickness.