Background

[WarriorZ]

I have a 150G tank. What would you use as a background? Live plants are in the tank. Blue or black? I've only been in one pet shop that had a background big enough for that size. And the price was over $30.00!! Too much.

Thanks

[Grassguy]

I would go with black. IMO the blues tend to wash out the colors of the fish.

[TKOS]

Black (or even dark green IMO) is the best colour choice for a freshwater tank. Many people like a dark blue for their saltwater tanks.

A cheaper alternative would be to get some black spray paint and a thin piece of wood or cardboard and spray it and place it against the back. You could directly spray the glass as well, though I wouldn't suggest that if there is already fish in the tank.

[Grassguy]

I sprayed the back of the tank at the school and even put a stencil of the school's initals on that tank. Silver and Black looked good, but I did do that two weeks before I even put water in the tank. I'd be afraid of overspray and vapors w/fish and water.

[Gulp]

I too painted the back of my 110 gallon. It was the easiest way to go. We had just painted our walls yellow, so I used that same color. It actually looks a bluish green from the front now. Go with paint. If you want to change colors, just scrap it off with a razor and start over. :D I used a roller vs. a can of spray paint as the aquarium was already up on the stand when I decided to do it. No over spray, no mess. :D

Here are a few pics of it after the painted background:

http://webpages.charter.net/dustlee/Aquarium/Tank%20pics/kim-looking-at-aquarium3.jpg

http://webpages.charter.net/dustlee/Aquarium/Tank%20pics/behind-aquarium.jpg

[Hans]

use wrappin paper, its only liek a dollar lol

[tammy911]

I also have considered a black background but was hesitant because I don't clean the algae off the glass at the back of the aquarium. It is difficult to get at due to the driftwoods, plants,heaters and filter. I also figured that it would be good for the ottos and bushy nose pleco. I would imagine the the black background would be lost behind the algae. Any thoughts?

[TKOS]

I have a black background and I never clean the back wall of my tank. The thin skim of algae isn't really noticable through all of the plants. The algae is most noticable on my heater's glass casing. Plus you don't really want the background to be "noticable" IMO. It should just be there to make the tank look less tank like and should blend in not stand out.

[emoore]

I would suggest painting the background black. I did it on my new 55 and it looks great. Much better than those laminated pieces of paper. Plus you don't have to worry about bubble and water getting between the background and tank. I painted is with a semi gloss latex based paint from home depot. It was pretty easy but you need to put on about four coats.

[mrbigisbudgood]

Originally posted by Hans
use wrappin paper, its only liek a dollar lol

And you could change it to match the seasons!!!!! How festive!!!!!

[ewok]

Originally posted by emoore
Plus you don't have to worry about bubble and water getting between the background and tank.

i've seen mentioned quite a few times to use a thin coat of something like salad/cooking oil to basically "glue" the backing in place. stick the backing on and basically squeegie (sp?) the air and stuff out of it...... no more bubbles and it's real tuf for stuff to get under it i imagine.

i've never used it, but many people here have.

i sort of like the way "gulp's" backing came out with the same color paint, but i imagine getting latex paint to stick to glass could be a beast.

my tanks are pretty utilitarian, i just use blue or black usually and tape it on the old fashioned way. i haven't really tried to make anything too fancy yet tho, and several of my backings were added sort of "after the fact".

you could also use colored or construction paper, i have used this a couplle of times when i didn't have what i needed and the store was closed.

[Grassguy]

I actually know someone that does use wrapping paper and chnages it for the seasons. She even puts birthday paper on the back during at the time of the year she first installed her tank...Hppy Birthday Fishies Home!:D

[WarriorZ]

I have done the baby oil background, with a 55G tank. It looks like it's inside the tank, so much clearer. Wipe on the oil with a paper towel and you a credit card to adhere it.

150G is to big to do that. The local shops don't have that size background.

[emoore]

Actually it was not difficult to get the latex paint to stick. I just used a small roller and painted it on. Then I used a small brush around the trim. I will try to post a picture when I get home.

[ewok]

Originally posted by WarriorZ
150G is to big to do that. The local shops don't have that size background.

too tall? alot of the chain stores carry a "cut to fit" for length, but the height is only like 24 inches or so at best.

[LMOUTHBASS]

of touch - i actually like those backgrounds that have the plants and rocks n stuff onj them the one i have matches what my tank looks like so it looks like all this stuff is in the distance !

[Gulp]

Originally posted by emoore
Actually it was not difficult to get the latex paint to stick. I just used a small roller and painted it on. Then I used a small brush around the trim. .

Same here. I just put on about 3 coats. The first coat had a few small holes here and there, but the 2nd coat covered them all. The 3rd coat was just because I am anal..... :D Very easy over all though and the paint had no problems sticking.

[chefkeith]

I'm using styrofoam sheet as a background and to insulate my tanks. Home Depot sells 3/4" x 13 5/8" x48" stryrofoam sheets in a bundle of 6 that costs about $5.

You can paint the stryrofoam any which way you want or even have it professionally airbrushed.

[BK]

i used black antistatic cardboard on the back of my 120gal. it ends up looking dark greyish though. its semi water proof and is held in place by wedging it between the trim so its easilt removable.

[jb_lyndon]

Just thinking...

In the event of an unfortunate scratch (or repairable crack, I don't know if you can safely repair a crack on a 110 G) on the front pane it might be a good idea not to paint the back so you can turn it around if necessary. Maybe check a professional photo developer to see if you can get a giant underexposed (black) piece of photo "paper".

[Grassguy]

If you paint the back, and then need to turn it around, the paint can easily be scraped off with a razor blade. When I got my 55, I bought it used, and the back had been painted that blue that is so prevalent in pet stores. I simply scraped it off and repainted it the color I wanted.:cool:

[Gulp]

Originally posted by jb_lyndon
Just thinking...

In the event of an unfortunate scratch (or repairable crack, I don't know if you can safely repair a crack on a 110 G) on the front pane it might be a good idea not to paint the back so you can turn it around if necessary.

Like mentioned right above me, paint is very easy to scrap off. It requires little effort. Makes a nice mess on whatever the tank is sitting on due to the flakes......but the actual removal of the pain is not a problem. :D

[jb_lyndon]

Yeah, I guess paint is scraped off windows everyday without incident... Obviously I didn't quite stop to think about it. Just overprotective over my overpriced 5 panes of glass I guess.

[SexySheen]

I bought 3 sheets of black posterboard and attached it to the back of my 120g tank. It looks absolutely gorgeous. They also have cloud posterboard, and I think they would be cool also.

[SayersWeb]

I like the standard aquarium backgrounds (with pictures of plants and rocks) because they add a sense of depth (front to back) when looking at the tank. I found a few 30" tall backgrounds at the LFS and chose one for my 120 gallon. I think it cost $8.

My Acrylic 180 gallon has a blue background. I wish it was clear so that I could use the above mentioned type of background.

[Cooter007]

Be original


http://www.catfishheaven.net/day9.html


Start from the begging

http://www.catfishheaven.net/day1.html