background

[jsodwi]

What do you guys with monster show tanks use for a background? My 300gal. will be here soon it is being built into a wall in my living room and has to look classy. I was able to piece together 2 backgrounds for my 150 and that worked fine but I'm not sure I want to spend another 39cents an inch cuz I needed 2 six foot lengths for that. Any Ideas

 

[guppy]

Believe it or not the patterned colored foil Xmas wrap works great, cheap.

 

[DeLgAdO]

Believe it or not the patterned colored foil Xmas wrap works great, cheap.

my dad did that to my tank stand, it looked stupid, plus he diddnt let me take it down, so he did let me make a water change for almost 3 weeks

 

[Loubard]

Garbage bags, black makes the tank look larger and you don't lose any space in the tank. It's cheap too.

 

[shoefreak03]

i agree, prefer solid black background.

 

[ROSS]

I use black landscaping plastic it comes in wide roll's to do most tank's Ex: you would use this if you puting stone down and didn't want weed's ,grass growing through the stone .... black to me seem's to make the fish more colorful , it also will give you a uniform look if you have side by side or stacked tank set up's . good for use in creating some what nocturnal condition's I recommend a blue bulb as well for this ( managuenses aka jaguar's look insane like this!!) .

 

[Lspooky4]

i like the look of a naturally planted background. thats what im about to do with my 210, im going to get some plants with a redish tint to add some more color. thats my preference

 

[reefman]

paint the back of your tank if you don't like it you can always scrape it off

 

[twk1]

I also prefer the all black background, really makes the color of your fishes stand out! You can either paint it or put a piece of black background paper, but if you use the paper, sometimes water just happens to drip in between and that will leave water marks.

 

[PhullTank57]

As for which COLOR background... depends on what fishes you will be keeping? Like most of the replys posted, I prefer black as my main background, but I've also noticed the colors on some of my fish, look 'different?' or stand out more in my other tank that has a blue background?!!

For example, i've noticed some datnoids (not all!) will display a more vibrant golden/yellow color in a tank w/ Blue background. Throw that same dat in a tank w/ Blk. background, the datnoid darkens up, and looks all blotchy with patches??... I've noticed w/ Peacock bass too, they show more vibrants colors in blue, than black backgrounds. Alot depends on fish's true colors, body patterns, etc. Some background colors will bring them out, and other color backgrounds will make them fade off, trying to blend into the tank environment. You see where I'm getting at... Try experimenting first before making a background color permanent.

Something I used to do is take actual photgraphs of my tanks, everytime i did a 'change up' in the setup... (change of gravel, substate color, background color, change/adding of fish, adding/removing of decor., etc.) Then put those pictures in one of those photo sheet protector things w/ the sleeve. And use it to visually compare the differences & impact the 'change' you made on the tank. Basically like a "Before & After" shot of the tank. You'd be surprised to see how much it would make or help to actually see a visual.

Anyways, good luck and happy keeping!!