Random: Can I Pull Aquarium Stand Out With Full 55 Gallon (To Put Black Background On)?

[Idech]

I’m in Canada and from what I can see on Amazon Canada there was nothing :/ Tank is 48x22

Sure there is. Just get window film. It takes 10 minutes to apply with water, it’s removable and reusable.

Here’s the one I got from Amazon.ca. I recommend it, it’s a very good product.

Amazon product

 

[bblumberg]

Interesting! I don’t need to move it too far just maybe a foot to slide behind it.

I had to move mine about 20 feet. The first time, I used furniture sliders and had my wife and daughter help (they pushed sliders under the stand while I lifted). It was difficult. Next time, I had a very strong friend help me and we used the furniture mats. This worked very well.

Moving a few feet might be doable by just lifting one end of the partially emptied tank, moving it and then doing the other. This depends critically on how strong your stand is! If it is a solid metal, wood or plywood stand then no problem. I'd not chance this with a cheap-o commercial stand made from particleboard or similar.

 

[JSkeleton]

Sure there is. Just get window film. It takes 10 minutes to apply with water, it’s removable and reusable.

Here’s the one I got from Amazon.ca. I recommend it, it’s a very good product.

Amazon product

Where's the one? I see a blank message after you said it's a good product haha

 

[Rmckoy]

I’m in Canada and from what I can see on Amazon Canada there was nothing :/ Tank is 48x22

Amazon.ca
A simple search , most have size selections to choose from .
these both go up to 48”x24”

 

[Cell]

The furniture sliders are great, but they have to be placed below the unit before it can be moved. Since the tank is full now, it would need to be drained enough to lift up and get the sliders under it anyway. At that point, why bother? Plus, if left under the stand, they will cause issues with leveling, or need to be removed prior to refilling. Seems a lot of extra effort for what needs to be done here.

Depending on the stand and the flooring, empty or not, it might not slide well or possibly scratch the floor. You want to mitigate as much pressure as possible when pushing on the stand to move it. Sliders reduce the pressure needed. My biggest concern was too much lateral pressure on the stand and collapsing it. It was built to withstand immense downward pressure, but I'm not sure about lateral.

 

[JSkeleton]

Amazon.ca
A simple search , most have size selections to choose from .
these both go up to 48”x24”

Those are pictures though, I just want a blacked out background

 

[JSkeleton]

Depending on the stand and the flooring, empty or not, it might not slide well or possibly scratch the floor. You want to mitigate as much pressure as possible when pushing on the stand to move it. Sliders reduce the pressure needed. My biggest concern was too much lateral pressure on the stand and collapsing it. It was built to withstand immense downward pressure, but I'm not sure about lateral.

Ah that's a really good point actually. Hmm.

 

[Idech]

Where's the one? I see a blank message after you said it's a good product haha

That’s weird. I do see it.

Here’s a picture, just type the name on Amazon.

 

[JSkeleton]

That’s weird. I do see it.

Here’s a picture, just type the name on Amazon.

Sweet, found it thanks! I was gonna say, it has a grainy texture though BUT it seems like the sticky side is smooth, right? You don't happen to have a pic of it on your setup by any chance, eh?

 

[Rmckoy]

Those are pictures though, I just want a blacked out background

Im
Sure there are some .

i don’t think painting it while water is in it will work .
Will paint stick to glass with water in it ?
Temp or moisture might be be a challenge

 

[Idech]

Sweet, found it thanks! I was gonna say, it has a grainy texture though BUT it seems like the sticky side is smooth, right? You don't happen to have a pic of it on your setup by any chance, eh?

The sticky side is smooth.

Here are some pictures. I used it on my nano and my 75 gallons.

 

[Rmckoy]

If I could keep my back glass clean long enough to see a picture it might be considered .
I really don’t mind the patchy coralline look

 

[Dburr1014]

Random question but is there any risk if done carefully, to pulling my Aquarium stand out from the wall with a full 55 Gallon that has 28lbs of rock and about 42lbs of arragonite?

I didn't think of doing it prior to filling it, partially because I figured I'd just get a stick on background but I can't find any good black background that's the right size (or that can be cut to the right size), so I was going to try to just paint it black with Acrylic (unless anyone has a better suggestion)?

Well, I have done a 90 gallon.
I removed a few inches of water so it would splash and I put the sliders under the tank when I set it up. Only so I could do this.
If you had the standard legs, I wouldn't do it. If you have sliders under it already, sure.
Maybe a half tank, still risky.
If you do try, grab low and use the wall to push against.

 

[Cell]

Eh, I take it back. If you just need enough room to get behind the tank, then get it mostly empty and gently lift up one end and shift it an inch or two, then do the same with the other end and shimmy it back and forth until you have enough clearance. It should be light enough at that point to lift it gently, just enough to clear the floor.

 

[JSkeleton]

The sticky side is smooth.

Here are some pictures. I used it on my nano and my 75 gallons.

Oh man that looks awesome! Thanks! Is it hard to stick on? Is it just like a peel and stick sort of thing?

Only thing I'm wondering is if I can get it on without pulling my tank haha I have a couple inches. In fact, I probably could fit my arm enough to even paint it after all if I wanted to, but your option might come out to be a bit cheaper.

Hasn't had any air bubbles or peeling off over time?

 

[Cell]

If you and a partner are deft enough, you might be able to grab the top and bottom of the sheet on one end have your partner grab the other end and slide it back behind the tank with minimal clearance, then use a squeegee or something similar on a stick to smooth it out.

 

[JSkeleton]

FYI: This is the space I’m working with if I do NOT move my tank out. I measured and it’s 4 inches.

I can most likely fit my arm enough to roll some acrylic paint onto it (though it will be a bit challenging) OR go with one of those stick on methods (like the blackout window thing posted above). The question is: with this much space to work with, which would be the easier option?

 

[JSkeleton]

If you and a partner are deft enough, you might be able to grab the top and bottom of the sheet on one end have your partner grab the other end and slide it back behind the tank with minimal clearance, then use a squeegee or something similar on a stick to smooth it out.

That might work! I just measured and have about 4 inches of clearance (posted a pic right above)

 

[Cell]

Just make sure you line it up on top and the sides well, the bottom can have a gap or two, you likely won't be able to see it with sand and/or rockwork in play.

 

[Idech]

Is it hard to stick on? Is it just like a peel and stick sort of thing?

It’s very easy because it’s not sticky. You just spray water on the tank and on the film, then you use something to remove the air and spread it, like a spatula from the kitchen.

Hasn't had any air bubbles or peeling off over time?

No, it doesn’t peel off at all. Even if it did, by accident, you’d just have to wet it, reapply and it would be good to go.

No added bubbles either. There was one little spot that wasn’t perfectly done and it stayed that way. I would have to peel it off, wet and reapply to fix it. But it’s barely visible, not really a bubble, more like a spot that’s dark grey instead of black.

It’s kind of putting a protective plastic sheet on your phone or tablet, but easier.