Sticking on a background

[Suzle87]

One day you'll come in here and I won't appear with another irritating question, I promise!
I want to get a nice background for the vivarium, have spotted a few on ebay (i have decided on just a flat one instead of the textured ones just for the sake of not taking up any space as I want to keep as much room as possible in there for him) My vivarium is wood so just wondering how people go about sticking backgrounds on this kind of viv? and also I'm presuming i need to cut holes for the vents? (there are 3 vents and i am thinking of keeping one covered to increase humidity further)
Sorry if all my questions appear really stupid and obvious, I have a habit of being over cautious and your knowledge is reassuring to have to double check everything!

[lifesagame]

When you say a flat one do you mean a hard flat background or one of the roll ones? I had one of the roll ones and standard double sided tape worked though the uv destroyed it pretty fast so the background broke, but nine years later the double sided tape parts were still stuck and it took nail varnish remover to get rid of them! I’ve seen people use a no more nails type glue to attach the more solid backgrounds to the back of the vivarium which should work for any thinner background too but it may depend on what the background is made of, and what wood your vivarium is. Mine’s just a fake wood vivexotix one so the double sided tape may not work on yours.

I’d say cutting the holes for the vents is a good idea. Mine has five which now feels like too many but I’ll just cover one or two if humidity is an issue. It will need some for air circulation though.

[Suzle87]

When you say a flat one do you mean a hard flat background or one of the roll ones? I had one of the roll ones and standard double sided tape worked though the uv destroyed it pretty fast so the background broke, but nine years later the double sided tape parts were still stuck and it took nail varnish remover to get rid of them! I’ve seen people use a no more nails type glue to attach the more solid backgrounds to the back of the vivarium which should work for any thinner background too but it may depend on what the background is made of, and what wood your vivarium is. Mine’s just a fake wood vivexotix one so the double sided tape may not work on yours.

I’d say cutting the holes for the vents is a good idea. Mine has five which now feels like too many but I’ll just cover one or two if humidity is an issue. It will need some for air circulation though.

Hi, Thanks for this.
Yes, I was thinking one of the roll ones, but having thought about it, some kind of hard flat one may be better (so long as its thin enough to not take up room) so i will have a look and go the no more nails route i think, (I hadnt thought of using this, i think i had got my mind stuck on sticky pads for some unknown reason) will just have to wait for a day where I can air it out well to dry/get rid of any odour.
With regards to your 5 vents, it's probably good to have the option, then you can cover and utilise whatever works best for you.

[kayla990]

I think most (if it's a roll/flat type) use either the original sticky bit, tape or 100% grade silicone (but the silicone could be tricky to apply in a thin layer.. maybe watered down heavy duty glue is better!). Though as said can be difficult to know how it'll hold up against humidity/temperatures. In most glass tanks people attach it on the outside, but since you've got a wood viv here's another option:

One cool idea I've looked into before - is to use stick on tiles, intended to attach in kitchens! They are meant to be above cooking plates, so designed already for the humidity/temperatures, and can get them in interesting patterns (on amazon, searching for 'self adhesive kitchen tile' or 'backsplash' gives an idea what I'm on about!). In theory should be safe - since it's used close by to food, and easy to clean too

[Suzle87]

I think most (if it's a roll/flat type) use either the original sticky bit, tape or 100% grade silicone (but the silicone could be tricky to apply in a thin layer.. maybe watered down heavy duty glue is better!). Though as said can be difficult to know how it'll hold up against humidity/temperatures. In most glass tanks people attach it on the outside, but since you've got a wood viv here's another option:

One cool idea I've looked into before - is to use stick on tiles, intended to attach in kitchens! They are meant to be above cooking plates, so designed already for the humidity/temperatures, and can get them in interesting patterns (on amazon, searching for 'self adhesive kitchen tile' or 'backsplash' gives an idea what I'm on about!). In theory should be safe - since it's used close by to food, and easy to clean too

LOVE!!! this idea!!!!!
That's my morning at work sorted haha, I shall spend the day looking at tiles!! thanks so much for this idea, its ace!! easy to clean, will look nice, self adhesive!! awesome!!
Thankyooooou!!

[kayla990]

Haha no worries!! You can also get more 3D backsplashes, which we nearly bought ourselves to then silicone on (just a secondary option for you to peek into! But they can be heavy if built from real stone..). Hope you'll find a good fit

[lifesagame]

Those tiles sound like a great idea, will have to remember that for the future, I hadn’t thought of them. I’ve used tiles on the floor before but hadn’t thought of them for the walls.