Backgrounds

[Tim Axten]

What’s the best thing for giving tanks black or opaque backgrounds? Don’t want to spend too much on it

 

[seangee]

I just tape black paper to the back of the tank

 

[Essjay]

I've also seen tanks with black bin bags taped to the tank, though you do have to be careful to avoid wrinkles.

 

[Munroco]

Bin bags work for me, I quite like the wrinkles when the back gets a coating of algae. It adds a bit of depth to the look.

 

[Colin_T]

Black card or a black plastic bin liner. Just tape them to the outside on the back of the tank. Card is more of a matt finish and looks better than a shiny finish from the plastic.

If you're any good at painting, you can use some water based paints and paint some plants on the card.

 

[AbbeysDad]

"Bin liner"?....Is that like a black plastic garbage bag? <hehe> Yeah, I've done that and it works. I've also used black construction paper. In one case, I used black Plastidip spray paint to paint the back and bottom of a tank (of course the tank was empty and I sprayed it outside).

 

[Tim Axten]

Yeah I have bin bags atm just don’t like seeing them on the outside. What do you do when the card gets wet ? Feel like I’d have to replace it a lot

 

[Colin_T]

The card shouldn't get wet. If you're worried it might, cover it in clear contact. Otherwise go to a pet shop and buy the plastic picture aquarium backings. They have a variety of prints and colours. Most are double sided with a plant scene on one side and a plain colour on the other.

 

[Byron]

I ue black construction paper and have for years. i have never had to replace it from getting wet. The nice thing about this is the matte finish which does not reflect the way anything plastic will, and that is a fish concern. The tank visually does seem larger as well. As nothing is as inexpensive.

 

[Retired Viking]

I just picked up one of a sunken woods and the backside was glossy black for a 55 gallon tall tank and it only cost 8.99 plus tax at Walmart. I am working on a sunken woods theme tank.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I use a black trash bag. Just make sure it isn’t wrinkly. Get one of the big ones. I tightly taped it to the back of all my tanks. (After I cut to size)

 

[Tim Axten]

Thanks for the ideas, going to try the black construction paper next.

 

[Munroco]

My son and I took an old TV to bits at xmas. There are lots of plastic diffuser sheets inside. Next time I set a tank up I'm going to try one. Maybe put a led behind it.

 

[LindaJanie]

I ue black construction paper and have for years. i have never had to replace it from getting wet. The nice thing about this is the matte finish which does not reflect the way anything plastic will, and that is a fish concern. The tank visually does seem larger as well. As nothing is as inexpensive.

Off topic but love the quotations & could not (50 years in the hobby, ever since elementary school) agree more: "It is inhumane to deprive any animal of an element it regards as critical to its well-being, and totally naive to expect normal behavior in its absence." Yep! My 'fish luck' has been very good by keeping this in mind; my tanks aren't show pieces (too much algae on back & sides, too many plants, too many hiding place, all looking like a window into a real pond) but the fish thrive & provide years of entertainment. I do love seeing show tanks, mind you, but it's not for me.