In need of input and photos of tanks with blue background

I am debating as to whether or not I should replace the vinyl background on my 55 gallon tank. Right now I have one printed with plants, rocks and such on it. It looked good when I had plastic and silk plants in there but I think it kinda takes away from the live plants I've switched over to now.

I have been experimenting on my 5.5 gallon tank. It had a printed background. I turned it around to the solid black side and it looked better. A couple of days ago I removed the black and replaced it with a solid blue. I really like the way it looks now. It sure brightened it up in there.

Changing the background on the 55 is going to be quite a job. I am not sure I have the energy to tackle the job unless it would make a big difference. If it would I would find the energy. I would love to see some photos of bigger planted tanks that have a solid blue background before I go to the trouble of changing this one. The blue background seems to make the 5.5 look deeper. Since the 55 is only 12 inches deep I am hoping changing the background will give the illusion of more depth.

Thoughts ?
5.5 gallon print BG


5.5 gallon black BG


5.5 gallon blue BG and sponge filter replaced with a HOB




55 gallon right now


This one really looks better in person than this photo but you can see the printed BG

 

Personally I like the way the black looks of these options. The planted background looks chaotic and the blue looks unnatural in contrast to the natural plants. Maybe there's a different background with some natural rocks or something that's not too busy that would give the depth you're looking for. You have lots of real plants, so you don't need a background with added fake plants.

 

I don't have any pics to post, but just wanted to comment. First, lovely planted tanks!

The black background makes the plants stand out more, but the blue definitely makes it look more spacious, as it draws the eye to the back of the tank. My personal preference for the overall look is the black, but if you specifically want some more 'depth', then go with the blue!

I've seen some nice 'blue water' backgrounds that have rocks etc at the bottom, blue at the top. Maybe something along those lines would work for you!

 

If I may offer an alternative for you to try, I think my tank back looks nice. It's dirt cheap, was quick and easy to apply, and would be just as quick and easy to remove if you don't like it.

 

Personally I like the way the black looks of these options. The planted background looks chaotic and the blue looks unnatural in contrast to the natural plants. Maybe there's a different background with some natural rocks or something that's not too busy that would give the depth you're looking for. You have lots of real plants, so you don't need a background with added fake plants.

Thank you. I will keep the blue on the 5.5 for a while but like you I am leaning more toward the black for the small tank. Now that the plants are filling in the tank I agree, I don't need any on the BG.

I don't have any pics to post, but just wanted to comment. First, lovely planted tanks!

The black background makes the plants stand out more, but the blue definitely makes it look more spacious, as it draws the eye to the back of the tank. My personal preference for the overall look is the black, but if you specifically want some more 'depth', then go with the blue!

I've seen some nice 'blue water' backgrounds that have rocks etc at the bottom, blue at the top. Maybe something along those lines would work for you!

thank you. That would work better than the full blue BG. I am afraid if I put the solid blue it will overwhelm the tank. I will look and see if I can find one with some print on the bottom part of it. I do have one that has some blue but still a lot of plants rocks and such. Might still be better than what is on there now.

If I may offer an alternative for you to try, I think my tank back looks nice. It's dirt cheap, was quick and easy to apply, and would be just as quick and easy to remove if you don't like it.View attachment 638020

I agree. I do like the clean lines of this one. How did you do it?

 

Agree with black backgrounds. I tried blue before and I found it looked odd and ended up removing it very quickly for a black one.

 

I agree. I do like the clean lines of this one. How did you do it?

I taped craft paper to the back. It doesn't show up well in the picture, but looking through the water it has a sort of metallic look, and it seems to really make the fish colors show up well, and none of them blend in with it.

 

Agree with black backgrounds. I tried blue before and I found it looked odd and ended up removing it very quickly for a black one.

Thank you for the input. I think you are right. I think I could get tired of it pretty quick. The 5.5 gallon is right across the room from me while on the computer so I look at it often. Before I attempt to change the one on the big tank I want to be sure it is going to be something I will be happy with long term. A 4 foot long almost 2 foot high solid mass of blue could very well overwhelm the tank and my eyes.

I taped craft paper to the back.

Oh my, what a simple thing to do I do have some of that laying around here somewhere.

 

Oh my, what a simple thing to do I do have some of that laying around here somewhere.

Give it a try for a few days. If you don't like it it's easy enough to take it off.

 

Another option...

 

Another option...
View attachment 638053

I do like the darker blue and the way it is shaded from dark to lighter toward the top. Is that painted on or a sheet of vinyl? I feel sure I won't be able to paint it on but then I've been known to do things that I didn't think I could do until I actually did it I need to do a search to see what kind of vinyl Back grounds are available on-line.

 

I do like the darker blue and the way it is shaded from dark to lighter toward the top. Is that painted on or a sheet of vinyl? I feel sure I won't be able to paint it on but then I've been known to do things that I didn't think I could do until I actually did it I need to do a search to see what kind of vinyl Back grounds are available on-line.

I threw that together on my phone editor program lol itd probably be cheaper to paint it than to get something like it printed, but I put it out as an option to use since you were undecided on which to use.

 

If you were to paint it, id suggest getting a black poster board. Start with a thin layer of sky-blue paint. Watered down just to keep it thin.

Do 1 layer for the solid board. Itll give a tint of blue to the black. Let it dry

Do a second layer, but start a couple inches from the bottom. Let that dry.

Repeat the process a couple inches above where you last started the layering the last time. Itll paint on a faded blue brightening towards the top.

 

Another way to do a cheap colored background is if you can go to a store that has big enough cardboard boxes u could cut them to size and spray paint one side blue and one side black so you can mix it up every now n then ...

 

Another way to do a cheap colored background is if you can go to a store that has big enough cardboard boxes u could cut them to size and spray paint one side blue and one side black so you can mix it up every now n then ...

That is another option. I just know changing the back ground is going to be a big job for me so I want to be as selective as I can be so I only have to do it once. I am checking out some backgrounds offered on ebay. There are a couple of potentials there.

 

I used black poster board but in the 55 you have to use 2 and the seem right in the middle drove me insane. I went to petsmart and bought a 48" back vinyl background. It is still there. It took me a sec to get used to it after the blue, but now I really like it. My Cardinals look like small neon lights swimming around!

 

I used black poster board but in the 55 you have to use 2 and the seem right in the middle drove me insane. I went to petsmart and bought a 48" back vinyl background. It is still there. It took me a sec to get used to it after the blue, but now I really like it. My Cardinals look like small neon lights swimming around!

BLACK vinyl background

 

I used black poster board but in the 55 you have to use 2 and the seem right in the middle drove me insane. I went to petsmart and bought a 48" back vinyl background. It is still there. It took me a sec to get used to it after the blue, but now I really like it. My Cardinals look like small neon lights swimming around!

A seam would drive me crazy too. I have a feeling I will end up getting a solid black and call it good enough. I am looking at one right now that kinda looks like a light shining on the bottom of a pool painted blue with the rippling water above. It is a darker blue at the top and around the edges of it but even then it still might be too much blue. I'm afraid the blue will wash out my neons.

 

A seam would drive me crazy too. I have a feeling I will end up getting a solid black and call it good enough. I am looking at one right now that kinda looks like a light shining on the bottom of a pool painted blue with the rippling water above. It is a darker blue at the top and around the edges of it but even then it still might be too much blue. I'm afraid the blue will wash out my neons.

The one I got is black on one side blue on the other. I had one previous that was blue fade with sand ripples and it was still a lot of blue. Ill see id I can find a pic. I'm sure you've seen it though! lol

 

The one I got is black on one side blue on the other. I had one previous that was blue fade with sand ripples and it was still a lot of blue. Ill see id I can find a pic. I'm sure you've seen it though! lol

I was just looking at one like that. Considered and discarded it. There was another one I liked. It had blue on top and big white rocks on the bottom but the rocks went up too high to suit me.

 

The one I got is black on one side blue on the other. I had one previous that was blue fade with sand ripples and it was still a lot of blue. Ill see id I can find a pic. I'm sure you've seen it though! lol

 

View attachment 638084View attachment 638085

I like the darker one on your tank for sure and it looks like the plants grew in considerably more. Not that the background had anything to do with it I just happened to notice. I like no background and an extremely heavily planted tank... but it took me a while to get that with my tanks

 

I like the darker one on your tank for sure and it looks like the plants grew in considerably more. Not that the background had anything to do with it I just happened to notice. I like no background and an extremely heavily planted tank... but it took me a while to get that with my tanks

I actually have more plants than that pic. I just found a black one that was close to my current! Thanks! Hard to believe I put in my tiny Crypts on June 2nd! 5 months! I guess this is a commercial for Thrive!

 

I actually have more plants than that pic. I just found a black one that was close to my current! Thanks! Hard to believe I put in my tiny Crypts on June 2nd! 5 months! I guess this is a commercial for Thrive!

I absolutely agree! And I know you've seen me press the issue with using Thrive in a non co2 tank for amazing plant growth. Of course along with good lighting and WC's . or even co2 ( but haven't gone that route yet ) Keep doing what your doing and you will be trimming plants weekly in no time ... Trust me

 

I like the black on your tank. And gorgeous tank btw. Here’s my two 40 breeders; one with blue background (it’s actually wrapping paper taped on) and one with black (taped on poster board).

 

Well shoot, for some odd reason I didn't get alerts for this thread. Thanks for the photos StarGirl15 and Basil I definitely am leaning toward going with the black background. I am afraid I would quickly get tired of the blue I have in my pieces parts cabinet.

 

I'm on team black mostly because that appears more natural to me and less of that fish store vibe that comes with the blue, though @missnoodles take on the gradient looks pretty interesting. :- )

 

Well shoot, for some odd reason I didn't get alerts for this thread. Thanks for the photos StarGirl15 and Basil I definitely am leaning toward going with the black background. I am afraid I would quickly get tired of the blue I have in my pieces parts cabinet.

I'm going to have my little feelings hurt if you don't give the craft paper thing a try just to see what you think.

 

I'm going to have my little feelings hurt if you don't give the craft paper thing a try just to see what you think.

Changing it on this tank is going to be a big job so I want to be sure I am going to be happy with what I do before doing it. I can try it on my 5 gallon tank though. That one is easy It won't show me exactly what it will look like on the big one but will give me a sneak peek.

I actually still have the blue background on the little tank and surprisingly I've not gotten tired of it yet. Problem is, there will be a lot more blue on the big tank and I do think it would be overpowering to the eyes. I feel sure I will go with the black once I build up the energy to tackle the job.

 

I have dark blue fiber board on my 75. But I have so much stuff in this tank it’s not as visible as in the 40g. And I can’t even see the seam.
I just snapped this picture. Light is in sunset mode now.