Background

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WarriorZ

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Nov 10, 2003
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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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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 pics/kim-looking-at-aquarium3.jpg

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