Trigon 190 - Removing Background?

[LancsRick]

I'm planning my tank evolution at the moment, and on the list is going to be the removal of the padded background which comes with it as standard. I'm leaving it be for the time being since there's a nice bit of algae there in places, and I'm introducing some Cory's in the next day or so, which I expect they will enjoy!

I was wondering whether I'd simply be able to get the background off with a pallette knife, or whether this is a job to be left for a full strip since it will need chemicals etc. Has anyone done this, and could they advise please whether it's easy to do...

Cheers.

 

[ian_m]

Yes I have removed the remains fof silicone blobs from my Juwel tank, left by previous owner.

I stripped tank right down, fish in large bucket with air stone and heater and I used screwfix no nonsense silicone remover.

Need to get silicone as thin as possible using knife blade, apply silicone remover, leave a while. It breaks the bond between the silicone and glass and allows the silicone to be just wiped away. Silicone remover is neutralised with water and is easily cleaned away.

I did it all outside with tank on a cloth sheet on lawn so I could easily rinse when finished. Cleaned back of tank with methylated spirits once finished to absolutely ensure no residue left.

Put tank back together, much better without black smudgy silicone blobs on back of tank. No fish died.

I notice that the silicone remover does state it can be toxic to fish (in large quantities)

 

[Iain Sutherland]

This is a job that requires the tank to be empty. I wouldnt use any chemicals as they can hang around in a tank for a long time, especially if you plan on keeping any inverts.
Use a stanley blade to remove then an abrasive algae sponge will get rid of the residue.

Good old fashioned elbow grease mate.