Color of background poll

[Slappy*McFish]

My tanks are usually painted black as well, though I've found green looks very natural....in freshwater tanks anyway. Saltwater tanks almost always look better painted a marine blue.

 

[Lauren]

no colors any more I want them to turn black

but the mirror idea is cool as well.

 

[Harlock]

no colors any more I want them to turn black

but the mirror idea is cool as well.

Oh Lauren is a Stones fan, eh? Great idea, mjn, posterboard makes it easy to try different looks for cheap before comitting to something more permanent, labor intensive and expensive.

 

[bluepony]

Thank you all for your input. I have come to the conclusion that I'm going to buy some black poster board. Then if I like how that looks, go ahead and paint.

I tried the black paper trick. It still lets in light and it doesn't look deep black but I liked it enough to move forward with paint. I painted my 55 gal and 29 gal black. It contrasts nicely against every fish I have, save the black one. I only have one black one so its ok and kind of fun to try to find her when she hangs out near the back. I might try the mirror background next. That sounds interesting.

 

[cyberbeer65]

Mine is black acrylic,it came that way from the factory.

 

[daveedka]

I would paint my background black, but that's because my intake tubes are black and I'd like them to blend in as much as possible.

I like black above all others, for the above mentioned reason as well as the fact that virtually any decor or fish will look good in front of it. I will never ever use paint again though.
Oceanvisions makes a self adhesive vynal background that sticks tight looks good, and is easier than paint. The stuff is IMO the best background idea in the world hands down. I have tried a lot of different ideas and products over the years and nothing compares at all. do a search on oceanvisions self adhesive backgrounds and you'll find a few threads talking about it.

BTW it is available in several colors, not just black.
Dave

 

[beblondie]

I do paint the back of my tanks and I paint them black-Anne

 

[daveedka]

I do paint the back of my tanks and I paint them black-Anne

I should note that until I discovered the oceanvisions stuff, I always did consider paint the best option. It is harder to work with and definately harder to remove if you change your mind later. The oceanvisiona background looks as good or maybe better than the best paint job I was ever able to do.
Dave

 

[WinterWind]

Defintely black, since black looks most natural (IMO), and it doesn't inferfere with looking at the fish. Red, yellow, and other bright colours would be distracting.

 

[ashdavid]

Black. My tanks sides and back have mat black acrylic glued to the walls.