Aquarium backgrounds

[Chapz]

Question?
I would like to get peoples opinions about aquarium backgrounds.
As of now, my tank has no background as you can see through all 4 sides. I was wondering what people recommend to cover the back area so you dont see the wall and the wires? I just do think it looks appealing.

I see some members have Blue laminate.
Others have a black laminate.
Some dont have any like my set up.

Any suggestions?

 

[jhale]

i like having a black background, it makes the colors stand out.

 

[steve614]

i paint the back of my tanks.I use rustoleum paint in blue or black.this way there are no bubbles in the background like you get when you tape on a background.Its easy to paint,you can use a roller of a brush, it just takes a lot of coats to make it look good.

 

[bigbris1]

I'm right at the point of choosing a background & while I always went with the one that was just blue, which faded from light to dark, I'm considering black. I'd like to see pics of a black background.

 

[Chapz]

I noticed that also but i didnt clarify my tank set up. Sorry about that.
Right now i have a 20 G FOWLR set up thats being upgraded to a 60 G FOWLR. I have a variety of live stock in there thats pretty colorful from Clown fish to chromis, to angels and damsels. I can always buy the film thats black on one side and blue on the other to see which works better.

 

[Chapz]

Kinda late for me to paint the background. The tanks are up and running. I kinda didnt think about the background situation until after the water was in.

 

[Awibrandy]

Chapz, it's not to late! I painted one of my tanks after it was up, and running with minimal problem. If you have room between the tank, and the wall you can still do it. I had those laminates before, and got tired of the salt creep getting in between the glass & laminate.
I removed the laminate, covered the walls by taping old sheet on the wall behind the tank. I got these skinny roller(look like hotdogs), cleaned the glass & dried it, then I just rolled the paint on. I also use rustoleum paint, I think about 3 or 4 coats.

I've had the blue, and black backgrounds. I prefer the black colors pop better, and since my cabinet, canopy, and overflows are black everything is so much more uniform.

 

[bigbris1]

Wow! I'm getting a black background.

 

[marki24]

I have a blue back ground but most likely my next one will be black i think the black bring in more colors or if you are going to go for blue go with a dark blue color not light

 

[wimby]

I use a dark blue background it's actually a big roll of wrapping paper cut to size tape neatly and whala your done

 

[autoponicz]

i like my black background too...
wow.awilda.....your tank is lookin nice.

 

[Chapz]

can anyone with a dark blue background post a pic?
i like the black one also right now.

 

[h20 freak]

I had a light blue one that was black on the other end,I didn't really like the blue but the black made what ever algae I had very profound,I think dark blue would be good but for now I am background less,the wall behind is red and not very natural looking.

 

[wimby]

here is my background

 

[bueller]

I have a dark Blue, a Black & and a turquoise / greeenish background on my tanks...I think the black brings out the colors the most. but if you can do a rock / foam looking back ground, I say go for it. My next tank I'm going to try it.

Bueller

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Ok Call me kooky but I have had blue and black but I always liked the little pictures with the coral reef on them, kinda helped me think my fish were more at home in the tank. Then I joined here and they broke me, :fishhit:

 

[bigbris1]

bueller, check this out

 

[Chapz]

Thats nice but lots of work. You gotta really be crafty and have the time to do that.
Bigbris1, any for saltwater setups?

 

[Awibrandy]

Thanks for the compliments!

Chapz, I did have a dark blue background, but I can't get the pic out of RC's gallery to post here properly. All I get is a thumbnail pic, way to small. I have the same screen name there if you want to go look it up.
Chief, I thought the same thing when I had that coral background. See your not the only crazy one.lol Problem was that no matter how tight I placed it on the tank, salt creep would still get behind it. So I gave up, and switched to paint. Problem solved..

 

[georgelc86]

For those of you who have painted the back glass. Any particular paint used or was it just plain latex paint.