To background or to not background

[Angelfish1]

Anyone have any thoughts? I’ve had a blue background for a long time but I removed it and idk in low key attracted to the look, is it just me?? Should I stick with the blue, with no background, or try black?

 

[StarGirl]

Big fan of black backgrounds myself. With the black stand and sand.....All of my tanks are black on black...My hubs calls them "Goth" lol I like it because everything stands out.

 

[Lily1]

I have the same or a similar shade on some of my tanks. It’s also commonly seen at the LFS. I like it, but no harm in trying something new.

Big fan of black backgrounds myself. With the black stand and sand.....All of my tanks are black on black...My hubs calls them "Goth" lol I like it because everything stands out.

I know people who use black plastic garbage bags

 

[WRWAquarium]

Have black on my tanks, for me it's the best. At work the tanks are blue and the fish look good though.

 

[StarGirl]

I have the same or a similar shade on some of my tanks. It’s also commonly seen at the LFS. I like it, but no harm in trying something new.

I know people who use black plastic garbage bags

I have black acrylic paint on 2 sides of the 5 and a regular black/blue plastic background on the 55. The 9 is just no changing....lol

 

[BigManAquatics]

Not sure exactly what bugs me when i have a tank without a background, whether it is the wiring and stuff behind the tank or just the white wall(really don't like white). So i always rock a background, almost always black, at that.

 

[kansas]

I have a black background and don't clean algae off the back glass, it gives the illusion of depth.

 

[JLAquatics]

If your main focal point in this aquarium is the fish, I personally recommend using a black background like many others suggested. All my lower tech designs generally have a black background made of black poster paper. As many others pointed out, it gives the illusion of depth and allows fish with brighter colors to stand out quite nicely. It can be as cheap as a few dollars too depending on what you use for the background, whether it be spray paint or simply taping some construction paper behind the tank. Here is an example shot of my column tank utilizing black paper.

The black here prevents the viewer from viewing the unnecessary obstructions behind the tank like cords and filters from behind the tank and guides the viewer to what really should be visible in the tank... The fish and plants! A simple yet effective approach, just the way I like it!




Bonus! However, with the way your scape is designed I bet a frosted film background would look really nice with an LED behind it as well. This would be a much better option to consider if you plan on having more focus on the aquascape itself rather than the fish that reside within. Here is an example shot of what I am talking about right here;

The pros here is that you can customize the color output as well as cast an illusion of the sky when creating nature style aquascapes, essentially "completing" the composition. Of course, it is a bit more costly than simply using a black background but the aesthetics the LED's provide can be unique and beautiful in a fully grown aquascape. This is also just another option for you to consider in the future even if you do not wish to use this on your tank right now.

 

[Lily1]

Not sure exactly what bugs me when i have a tank without a background, whether it is the wiring and stuff behind the tank or just the white wall(really don't like white). So i always rock a background, almost always black, at that.

What do you mean by rock a background?

 

[User1]

Anyone have any thoughts? I’ve had a blue background for a long time but I removed it and idk in low key attracted to the look, is it just me?? Should I stick with the blue, with no background, or try black?
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Black looks great with plants, I used cardstock from Michaels. Super cheap that way

 

[BigManAquatics]

What do you mean by rock a background?

Rock=use, in this case

 

[justinwhitening]

Anyone have any thoughts? I’ve had a blue background for a long time but I removed it and idk in low key attracted to the look, is it just me?? Should I stick with the blue, with no background, or try black?

I like the blue background, but I think a black one would look pretty good as well. All of the backgrounds on my tanks are a relatively darker color, so I've become pretty used to those.

 

[Lucy]

Please don't forget the is Anglefish1's thread.

Let's not derail it by asking our own questions and taking this thread in a different direction.

 

[FishDin]

I go with no background only when the tank will be viewed form both sides. Otherwise, black works for me for the previously mentioned reasons.

Sorry, still not understanding. Are you saying you place real rocks next to the interior glass panel?

"So i always rock a background" = "So i always use a background"

 

[Jonahtheplecolvr]

A black background would look cool with those glofish

 

[Jollyhollysfish]

Anyone have any thoughts? I’ve had a blue background for a long time but I removed it and idk in low key attracted to the look, is it just me?? Should I stick with the blue, with no background, or try black?
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Remember it’s all personal preference, but I think black would look best. Black goes with everything! The background will help hide wires and make things it bit more calm in the tank