backgrounds

[wigglejaggles]

hey now,

I want to put a background on my 10 gallon, but all the backgrounds at the stores seem goofy to me. I prefer plain black. I read on the skeptical aquarist about painting the backs of the aquarium, but i don't think this is possible seeing as how the tank has been up and running for a week. the plain deep blue ones at the stores don't seem that bad. Do any of you have any pics of that blue background? I am wondering how it will look.

Could any of you lead me int he right direction as to where I can find an all black background, any websites?

thanks,
Jared

[SnakeIce]

black poster paper laminated could work any black paper for that matter

hope that helps

[MrGoodbytes]

I agree that most backgrounds are cheesy.

Right now my 35 gallon has no background, but you can hardly tell because of all the plants. If I ever set up a fish only display tank, I will probably go with black.

Graeme

[125gJoe]

I just got 6 foot of black backgound today at a LFS.
I thought most LFS carry it... Usually it's double sided - some have "tank scenes" and the other side is either plain blue or a different "scene". The blue only background seems to look nice on Saltwater tanks -- not sure why, but it is popular. I will always prefer black backgrounds on Freshwater tanks.

If you want to get real fancy, you can go with the Alien Face look!

http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL59/715239/1510346/33516075.jpg

[MrGoodbytes]

The saltwater one probably makes it look more like the open ocean. I have heard mirrors give a tank a nice effect too.

[wigglejaggles]

thanks for the replies guys!

I will ask next time I go. I have been in petco, petland etc... perhaps I just didn't look good enough. One would think they would carry plain black so I will ask.


thanks again!

take care,
Jared

[wigglejaggles]

Hey guys,

I just looked up some black aquarium backgrounds on google, and I found some that say "double sided" with green plants on the left and black on the right. Now this may sound stupid, but whenever I saw those I thought half of the background is plants and the other half is black. Is this right? Or would I bebale to purchase the double sided half plant half black and be able to use all black as the background and simply trash the plant side?

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/wetpetsusa/hagbacgreenp.html

there is the link.

thanks!

take care,
Jared

[SnakeIce]

I think they just made a diagonal line and showed one face of the sheet to the left and the other to the right, so the front of that would be all black and the back would have plants on it and not split down the middle like it looks

[MrGoodbytes]

If you want to get real fancy, you can go with the Alien Face look!


Haha I just noticed that. I guess the pic didn't load before.

I agree with SnakeIce, I think they are just showing you both sides. Otherwise, that's an ugly background.

[TKOS]

I buy cheap plastic table cloths. They are huge and do many tanks. Currently I have adark green on 2 tanks and managed to find black for one other tank.

[wigglejaggles]

hey now Ian,

I think your website is awesome! The aquarium pics are great...that is the biggest betta I have ever seen. Looks like you have some terrific friends too, and I really enjoyed all the pics from different places.



take care,
Jared

[CandiBug2]

I use wrapping paper... it's cheap and I can change it to something festive whenever I like... right now I have finding nemo paper on the back of my tank :)

[WaterBaby]

I use those "cheesy" backgrounds in my tanks, and to tell you the truth... once you get all your rocks, plants, decorations in the tank, it doesn't look all that bad. ;)

[TKOS]

wigglejaggles

Thanks for the compliments. I think my betta actually photographs bigger than he actually is. He is kind of skinny really. Luckily for me he hates the camera so I can get som great action photos.

My parents tank has one of those cheesy backgrounds that I thought I would hate at first, but since it is full of plants it blends in quite well. So I guess it all depends on what you plan on having in your tank.

[Philbe]

What do you folks think of lining the inside of the tank with cork? Would make a kind of natural look for some tanks.

[belmont0182]

so are backgrounds necessary for healthy fish? I do not have a background, and if i got one i think i would want a black one... but i like my tank as it is, should i get a background?

[fishfood]

Originally posted by CandiBug2
I use wrapping paper... it's cheap and I can change it to something festive whenever I like... right now I have finding nemo paper on the back of my tank :)

I do the same. I bought a roll of dark green metallic wraping paper last Christmas and that what I have on my tanks. Looks good.

[Dapple2]

As far as cheesy backgrounds go, I use a rock and crypt/rock and apon that's sold on a roll. It blends in better than most of the others, especially since those are two plants I actually *use* unlike all the fake stuff most of the others use.

[Dapple2]

Originally posted by belmont0182
so are backgrounds necessary for healthy fish? I do not have a background, and if i got one i think i would want a black one... but i like my tank as it is, should i get a background?

The fish seem to be less skittish with a background. Some really shy fish even like to have three sides of the tank covered in order to show well.