Aquarium backgrounds… why do they have to include “pictures” of fish???

[Magnum Man22 137]

so I have about a dozen tanks, and most have various 3D picture type aquarium backgrounds… with back lighting, I think they can make an aquarium look great… but I have a pet peeve… why do almost all include pictures of fish??? my tanks are for “real” fish I dislike having them in the backgrounds…

this tank for example…

there are several fish printed in the back ground…

the 3 red fish in this zoomed picture of the aquarium above, aren’t real, they are printed on the background…

there are some printed shrimp as well, I once took a picture of this tank, and was trying to figure out how the shrimp got in this tank, until I went back and looked closely at the spot I took the picture, only to find the shrimp was printed…

most of my best looking backgrounds also have fish printed on them, they are obviously aquarium backgrounds… do people put them on empty tanks, to mimic a functional aquarium ???

 

[Back in the fold1 10]

I posted a picture of one of my aquariums here once that has a printed background of aquatic plants and @Fishmanic thought they were real and asked me about my plants . That’s low tech Hollywood stuff right there .
I like the vacuum formed ones you used to be able to get . Those were really cool . Personally , I like those printed backgrounds . They’re pretty but the best one I ever had was the box from a model of “ Voyage To The Bottom of The Sea “ and its SSRN Seaview submarine . Get as creative as you want .

 

[GaryE21 137]

I hate those backgrounds (for my tanks, not for yours). You can lose the fish in them, especially in photos. For me, no plants, no fish, no shipwrecks or mermaids... I like plain black backs. They're ideal for fish photos, and allow the fish and plants to stick out visually. The fish seem secure with them.

I've seen creative approaches in my second hand tanks, with sand worked into the acrylic paint, and swirls of related colours. I like those ones. And I've heard of people taking thick styro and heat melting sections to make textures, then painting them to have a 3d set up. Versions of those are sold, but I'm a cheapskate.

 

[Jennet1 59]

I too dislike any with fish already on. I was getting ready to go with a plain black background when I happened on one at my local fish store. It just has rocks and wood on it. but it was only 50cm deep, so may not be suitable for your tanks if they are deeper. There are a lot on Amazon UK, but the natural ones I liked had bad reviews.

 

[emeraldking2 53]

I dislike having them in the backgrounds…

I totally agree...
Seems like the manufacturer made them as we would all be kids. For most kids would like that while serious older people would like to keep it more natural. Those with fish in those backgrounds doesn't make it natural. For they don't move and not always correct sized in comparison to the live ones. And if you're unlucky, you'll see fish that you probably don't want in your tank or don't even belong in your background because you've got a biotope tank of another location.

In the past I've used some backgrounds as well but just with plants and pieces of wood in it.

 

[Back in the fold1 10]

Those with fish in those backgrounds doesn't make it natural. For they don't move and not always correct sized in comparison to the live ones.

Interesting but not entirely true . There’s an episode of “ The Twilight Zone “ where a guy has a watch that freezes time so everything stops . Maybe he’s at work in your aquarium . You never know .

 

[sharkweek178]

I just do basic black.

 

[GaryE21 137]

The most depressing thing is when the fish printed on the 3D background die. That's when you know you aren't meant for this hobby.