Pros And Cons Of Backgrounds

[debiasir]

I have just set up a new tank holding a fancy tailed goldy, WCMM and a BN Plec.

At the minute there is no background and this makes the tank seem bigger than it really is which is cool but apart from adding colour what are the pro's and cons of backgrounds.

Are the essential?

Thanks

 

[WILDER]

I never had background i tend to think they close the tank in, but i suppose it depends on the background, as some can make the fish stand out.

 

[freddyk]

A background can make some fish feel more secure, and for others it really doesn't make a difference. With yours it probably doesn't matter much. I really don't like looking at a tank and seeing wall and wires and always use a black background - it doesn't distract from the rest of the tank or make it look cluttered the way the photgraph types can.

 

[nino]

why not try it out first using a black garbage bag? see if you like the effect and then if you want you can invest in the real thing- though garbage bag works fine for many.

 

[stevencross]

I have a plain blue background which looks really good. The plants and fish stand out well.

 

[TheGreatPolyp]

It really just depends. If you have one that matches the fish's natural enviroment then it's probably better but if it's like a underwater castle or something gay you probably shouldn't use it.

 

[jolaf]

Mine is a plain dark blue also. It was on the tank when I got it. I never changed it. The thing i would liek to do is use coloredlights but am afraid to becasue I added real plants whcih are doing great. Has anyone used colored lights and had adverse affects on the plants?

I have a plain blue background which looks really good. The plants and fish stand out well.

 

[Tolak]

I use black garbage bags on most all of my tanks, some blue automotive window tint on a couple of others. Only problem with the black is that you can't see black angels in the tank, it's impossible to get a pic. All the others show up great.

The window tint looks good, but there is the problem of camera flash bouncing back off of it. If you watch the camera angle it isn't bad. The lighter blue brightens up the tank, & uses left over stuff I had around the house.

Tolak