Tank Wallpaper

[cbfreder]

Hey guys,

I was wondering what you guys thought about tank wallpaper and backgrounds. Are they just pretty or do they improve the fishes well being? What if I forget about the fancy LFS variety and try something like tinfoil or something matte blue/black? Could the reflected light startle my fish or improve my plants? Then again I don't even know if I want a background. I like to see all the things i have whirring on the back of my tank.

Does anyone have any strong opinions or unusual solutions?

Brandon

 

[shekes]

Fish do not give a damn about walpaper, neither do plants.
I think walpaper/background is totally ridiculous.
Friends of mine who listen to bad music, recommend me the worst movies and tell me the dumbest jokes love the only background I have. (I bought the tank with it and never bothered ungluing it).

Since you like to see all the things you have whirring on the back of your tank, you shouldn't even be asking.

I can do stronger if you like.

 

[RedDevilDon2005]

thats basically it, its completely a personal option to the tank.

 

[importracer]

I've seen crumpled tinfoil spray painted....Jeez, there was a thread couple years back....This guy used some type material and shaved different depths into it , giving a rocky effect....I think it was cork or styrofoam....I tried spreading tinfoil on the back of my 200g, I ended up taking it down and left the back bare showing exposing my white wall....GOod Luck.....

 

[benzjamin13]

It's all preference. I have my tank tinted because I like just a basic black or blue to hide the lines and tubing. And a tint won't come off as easliy as the background you'd get at a pet store.

 

[shookONES]

Actually, with Asian arowanas, background plays a significant role in color development. I have the article saved somewhere. I'll dig it up and post.

 

[shookONES]

http://www.geocities.com/aro_addiction/arowana_care.htm

 

[shekes]

"background : this seemingly insignificant factor actually plays a major role in deciding the blooming of colour. For red arowana, dark background is used, e.g. black. This will induce the fish to "throw" out more vibrant red colour under condition of strong lighting. Also, dark background helps to intensify the shine of scales. Golden arowana would need lighter background, e.g blue. to induce faster crossing of the shine. However, this is trade-off for less vibrant shine. I would suggest that goldens to be kept under light background from young and then change it to dark background when the level of crossing is satisfied. There should be an optimum use of background colour."

Are they talking about a an optical effect or an actual change influence on the coloration of the fish?

 

[sour_girl]

I personally like backgrounds on my tanks.. It makes it look more "home" and it hides all the tubes and wires... IMO it just looks more clean.

 

[shookONES]

"background : this seemingly insignificant factor actually plays a major role in deciding the blooming of colour. For red arowana, dark background is used, e.g. black. This will induce the fish to "throw" out more vibrant red colour under condition of strong lighting. Also, dark background helps to intensify the shine of scales. Golden arowana would need lighter background, e.g blue. to induce faster crossing of the shine. However, this is trade-off for less vibrant shine. I would suggest that goldens to be kept under light background from young and then change it to dark background when the level of crossing is satisfied. There should be an optimum use of background colour."

Are they talking about a an optical effect or an actual change influence on the coloration of the fish?

I was under the impression that the change was actual.