aquarium backgrounds

[denizen]

As mentioned elsewhere I'm going to be populating my planted, filtered
20gal tall aquarium that currently has only snails living in it. This
aquarium has no background on it, so you can see the wall behind the
tank. I'm considering putting dark green or black construction paper
on the back of the aquarium, but what would other people suggest? My
90gal planted aquarium is also in need of a background, because the
faded blueish foil wrapping paper on it's back is torn and ancient.
d.

[Altum]

Well, my favorite background is none at all, with some tall plants at
the back. My second favorite for shy fish is plain black. I've also
done some nice things with the old crinkly foil backgrounds. I had a
silvery-blue one I really liked. If you're good with water changes,
construction paper will work. I like the commercial backdrops a
little better since they're waterproof. I've also seen pretty
spectacular results with a mirror behind the tank.

--Altum

[boet]

Hi

I read an article a long time ago that stated painted or "stuck" on
backings actually lessons the light that goes to live plants. They
actually put it to the test and measured lumens, etc...I know you are
saying construction paper so that is good. For my tanks I came up
with the idea of using fabric that I have used velcro to attach to all
4 corners. It is great way to to come up with different fabric ideas
and change them seasonally or..... I currently have a garden color
asian print with cranes on my 50 gallon back and a aztec rug that I
have on the back of my 29 gallon :)

Kathy

[NetMax]

I've painted some tanks. Ordinary paint, a couple of colours done
poorly with lots of streaks (but no drips). A mix of natural colours
(gray, green, brown) looks very natural and blends well behind
driftwood & plants.

I also use backgrounds (solid blue or black) and they are ok.

Commercial tanks are usually painted blue as it best highlites plants,
driftwood and most fish.

NetMax

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[Kel's Mustang]

I like to use wrapping paper.
The good kind that has somewhat of a coating, and not just real flimsy
- thin like tissue paper stuff.
I take a piece of poster board, cut measure, tape together if needed.
Then I wrap it with the wrapping paper of choice (usually an ocean
blue, or holiday themed too).
Tape it to the back of the tank using packing tape, as that holds up
so much better than invisible tape.
It's cheap and easy.
You can easily change it to do a theme to match any holiday.
The type that has an obvious coating that make it have a mirror type
affect when hung up gives male bettas a "flare -buddy". That is until
they get bored.
The normal size of a roll fits on larger tanks. On my 75g the only
thing I had to piece together was the poster board.
You can use the cheaper, thin stuff too. However, when that gets wet
(and it will...only a matter of time) it will either dry wavy or even
show the water spots.
That's good to use when doing a theme like for the Christmas, and
it'll be only used for a short time. For regular use, get the good
stuff.
Silver metallic (IMO) doesn't work so well. My daughter wanted that on
her 3g once, and it just looked bad. Her betta blanched his color out
constantly.
I tried to tell her that even HE didn't like it, lol.
As soon as I changed it to a lovely metallic blue, he was a happy
camper. Strutting around like a rooster.

[NJelliott]

If you can't pick up a background at a LFS, you might want to check
out www.aqpumps.com/backgrounds. We have 24 to choose from in all
sizes. They really interesting and high-quality, they all come in
rolls, and they're double sided with different themes on each side.
Wallpaper can add depth and character to most aquariums without the
need for scraping, painting, etc. So check the backgrounds on our
site, and best of luck.

E.

[denizen]

On Nov 24, 1:32 am, boet <kathy.b...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi
>
> I read an article a long time ago that stated painted or "stuck" on
> backings actually lessons the light that goes to live plants.  They
> actually put it to the test and measured lumens, etc...I know you are
> saying construction paper so that is good.  For my tanks I came up
> with the idea of using fabric that I have used velcro to attach to all
> 4 corners.  It is great way to to come up with different fabric ideas
> and change them seasonally or.....  I currently have a garden color
> asian print with cranes on my 50 gallon back and a aztec rug that I
> have on the back of my 29 gallon :)
>

That is very interesting about the fabric. Does it let some light
through, to be better than stuck on backgrounds?

Are your fabric-backed tanks against a wall, or are their backs
exposed? At one time I used paper on the end of a big aquarium, to
keep direct sunlight out. Fabric would have worked for that too.
d.

[denizen]

On Nov 24, 10:29 am, NJelliott <manders...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> If you can't pick up a background at a LFS, you might want to check

> outwww.aqpumps.com/backgrounds. We have 24 to choose from in all

> sizes. They really interesting and high-quality, they all come in
> rolls, and they're double sided with different themes on each side.
> Wallpaper can add depth and character to most aquariums without the
> need for scraping, painting, etc. So check the backgrounds on our
> site, and best of luck.
>

I tried commercial backgrounds on the children's aquariums because
they asked for them. That was before they grew up, but I've preferred
to try home-made solutions. I might make some abstract scribblings in
oil pastel on the dark green construction paper, before attaching it
to the tank.

However, commercial backgrounds that are solid-colour on one side do
intrigue. A solid dark green fountain fill background, lightening
upwards like a natural lake, might go well behind tall plants.
d.

[boet]

All but one of my aquariums are against the wall and so no light gets
through. I use it to hide tubing and such and the fun of it of
course. You could use a light fabric to let ambient light through -
that would be pretty.

[denizen]

On Nov 24, 11:30 am, "Kel's Mustang" <KellsBlueMust...@aol.com> wrote:
> I like to use wrapping paper.
> The good kind that has somewhat of a coating, and not just real flimsy
> - thin like tissue paper stuff.
> I take a piece of poster board, cut measure, tape together if needed.
> Then I wrap it with the wrapping paper of choice (usually an ocean
> blue, or holiday themed too).
> Tape it to the back of the tank using packing tape, as that holds up
> so much better than invisible tape.
> It's cheap and easy.

I bought, from the dollar store, a roll of green paper-backed foil and
a roll of blue paper-backed foil. Then I got to thinking: neon tetras
are supposed to require quiet, darker conditions according to Web
info. I read that your bettas like the reflectiveness, and in my big
community aquarium the foil is partly masked by algae and the fish
don't mind, so it is ok for some aquariums. I also saw some attractive
"gold" tissue for sale that is not very shiny.

The wall behind the aquarium is light green, and I moved the heater to
the side of the aquarium so the view through the back is unobstructed.
Are there opinions on what would be best or most attractive in this
instance (20gal tall aquarium w/ neon tetras)? Bare glass showing the
wall, green foil, blue foil, dull "gold" paper, dark green or black
construction paper/ bristol board, or dark fabric like boet suggested?
I'm thinking burlap might look good, or even some dark cork...
d.

[boet]

I like the burlap idea and anything on the dark side. I would avoid
green if you have lots of green plants.