View Full Version : Wallpaper - good or bad?
ydravid
02-22-2004, 1:52 PM
Hello there .... I'm just getting started on my very first fish tank. I've got a 36 gal tank and am in the process of setting it up. I jus wanted to get you guys' opinion on whether to use a wallpaper or not in the tank? What are the positives/negatives to using one?
I appreciate any feedback!
Leopardess
02-22-2004, 2:37 PM
By wallpaper do you mean background? If so, they generally go on the outside of the tank:confused:
I wouldn't use real wallpaper - its treated with chemicals and inks;)
Advantages to using a background are that you don't see the wires behind the tank, it fills the empty spots in visually, and it just generally looks better imo. I like plain black or blue.
BTW - have you cycled the tank yet? And what were you planning on getting for fish? And, welcome to the board:)
ydravid
02-22-2004, 2:47 PM
Thanks for your response. Yeah I meant background :o I was just wondering if it made the tank prettier or the contents of it stand out more by having a background. So even I do get a background, it goes on the outside eh?
As far as the tank is concerned, the plan as of now (as told to me by the place where i bought the tank from) is to have it set up by the end of today ... then let the filter run (i have an Emperor 280) through the evening and overnight ... add water conditioner .... and then tomorrow, I plan to add maybe 4 or 5 mollies since i was told that they're pretty hardy and inexpensive ... and good to get the tank balance going.
I figure it will take about a month till the tank cycles and stabilizes before I can add the more expensive fish.
Any comments/questions about the above are welcome ! :)
it just generally looks better imo
I agree. It adds to the perception of depth in the tank, at least for me. My first 10 gallon tank not only looked better, but bigger when I added the background. Some people paint the back, I still use the removable backgrounds because they are easy to add or remove if I ever want to change the print.
I was just wondering if it made the tank prettier or the contents of it stand out more by having a background. So even I do get a background, it goes on the outside eh?
Yes. Yes. and Yes. :D
Leopardess
02-22-2004, 3:11 PM
Look into fishless cycling if you haven't already. A tank won't cycle that quickly with just a couple mollies in a 36g. Plus, when you wanted to add the fish after, you'd have to add them very slowly because you will only have a bacteria colony that sustained a few fish.
There is a thread going that has about 6-8 links about fishless cycling using ammonia:)
ydravid
02-22-2004, 4:27 PM
Thank you very much for all your replies ... I was certainly take a look into fishless cycling since I haven't bought my fish yet. :)
Definitely go with fishless cycling o/w you will end up with dead fish.
As for the background I use solid black or dark blue as it looks natural and it gives the illusion of depth.
I personally find the backgrounds with coral and such so silly looking when it serves as a backdrop for a freshwater tank.
Just my opinion though...do what makes you smile!
;)
Anne L.
02-23-2004, 10:05 AM
Oh, yes, go with the fishless cycling for sure. I just did this with a little 10 gallon tank, and my fish are very happy.
The tank's parameters are also very stable, and I have not had a problem with ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate levels.
It takes some time, but it's very worth it.
I was a complete newbie to aquariums, and the folks on here as well as the excellent articles on fishless cycling walked me through the process.
Hmmn, just my opinion, but the more important reason for a background is that some types of fish find it less stressfull to have a one.
As for cycling everyone has opinions. I'd say go the fishless way unless you have really good patience. Also keep in mind its generally important not to add too many fish all at once. If you start off with 5-6 fish one week and then add 10 the next you will probably overload your bio-filtration.
What I did in my 50g tank was that I started off with 5 peppered corys and kept up 10% water changes. After 4 weeks I added 3 more corys even though I had enough. I just like the little guys. After 2 weeks of the corys being alone I added 8 neon tetras. Two more weeks and added 6 harlequin raspbora. Next I'm looking to get a pair of dwarf gourami and a pair of rams. Just hoping everything stays relatively peaceful and the rams don't grow up and decide neons look tasty. :rolleyes:
Leopardess
02-23-2004, 6:51 PM
Fish care about backgrounds? Even in tanks with them, they face three open sides of glass...with perhaps the backside of the tank against a wall - which to them is no different than a background. Or so I would think...
I have background paper on the back and one side with fake plants on both ends of the tank. Guess which corner my corys and neons like to hide.
fishfood
02-24-2004, 2:10 PM
A lot of people (and me) like solid backgrounds. It's really a personal preference. I've used wrapping paper in the past. It's cheap and if it gets wet or wrinkled, I just throw it out and cut a new sheet to fit.
I'm not 1000% positive on this, but I have my theories... And I've done some reading/research which has led me to believe that a DARK, preferably solid-colored background will in fact aid in controlling the stress levels of certain (mainly South-American, IME) tetras and cichlids. Same goes for the substrate. Besides creating the illusion of depth, it creates less glare, and many fish, once again, IMO/E, will feel more secure and hence be healthier.