Aquarium backgrounds and backdrops are an excellent way to customize your fish tank. If you browse the internet, you can find just about any aquarium background that will match your aquarium theme. While most people think it is easy to attach an aquarium background, if done incorrectly there can be bad ramifications. The aquarium background can start to peel off, or air bubbles or pockets can form which completely ruins the look. Some people just avoid the work all together and just put the background on the outside of the tank. However, this gives the background a distorted look and therefore we do not recommend it. While attaching aquarium backgrounds doesn’t have to be a hard, time consuming task, there are certain instructions you should follow for the best result. 

Best way to attach aquarium background:

Below are the steps for the best way to attach an aquarium background:

1. Before you purchase the aquarium background, measure your fish tank. You want to know the exact dimensions to ensure that the background will fit.
2. Drain your tank and make sure that the side is completely dry. You should make sure that there are no substances or material stuck to the side of the glass that you will put the aquarium background on. Do not wipe it down with a cloth, because fibers from the cloth can stick to the glass, and cause the background not to stick.
3. We recommend putting the aquarium on its side so that the back of the aquarium is on the ground. Gravity will then assist you when you put the background on. 
4. Apply a thin layer of oil or other adhesive to the glass on the aquarium. A lot of people use olive oil which tends to work really well. You should stay away from using vaseline, because that will not last underwater. You should make sure that there is a thin layer across the entire side of the glass that you will put the background on. Some people just put tape on the edges of the background, but we do not recommend this. After a couple weeks, the edges of the background will likely start to fray up, and then the background will be ruined. Also, stay away from using soap on the glass. While some forms of soap do work as an adhesive, the soap can be very dangerous to your fish. 
5. Very carefully, lay the background on the glass.
6. Using a flat surface (such as a plate, cd, or silverware) press down on the background to make it tight against the glass. It is okay if some of the excess adhesive subsequently squeezes out from underneath the background. Just make sure to squeeze it off when you are done. 
7. You should wait at least 2 hours before adding water back into the aquarium.