What Kind of Background for my Tank?

[bcfishtanks]

Hi, everyone. I've been considering getting a background for my 29g, but I can't decide what I want. I had a built-in black background on my 10g that I really liked, because it made it look swampier and really highlights the green of the plants. Since I like the jungle-y look, that's a top contender. However, I've also seen rock backgrounds, and I like the look of them, too. I don't want it to look obviously fake, though, which is my big reservation there. Any suggestions? Also, what brands are best for backgrounds but are also not too pricey? My aquarium dreams are perpetually bigger than my wallet. Thanks!

P.S. if you look closely, you can see my ridiculous glowlights in a spawning frenzy post-bloodworm treat.

 

[JLAquatics]

Hi, everyone. I've been considering getting a background for my 29g, but I can't decide what I want. I had a built-in black background on my 10g that I really liked, because it made it look swampier and really highlights the green of the plants. Since I like the jungle-y look, that's a top contender. However, I've also seen rock backgrounds, and I like the look of them, too. I don't want it to look obviously fake, though, which is my big reservation there. Any suggestions? Also, what brands are best for backgrounds but are also not too pricey? My aquarium dreams are perpetually bigger than my wallet. Thanks!

P.S. if you look closely, you can see my ridiculous glowlights in a spawning frenzy post-bloodworm treat.

I will just say that solid black backgrounds are singlehandedly the best if you want to bring out the colors in your fish and plant life IMO. I think simplicity is key with a aquarium background, you don't want it to distract from your actual tank, which using colorful or highly varied backgrounds makes it look more artificial. However, I have seen 3D backgrounds work great though and are pretty neat which looks like rock formations and such. If you want to do something a little more sophisticated, you can use a frosted background with a light behind it to mimic a natural sunrise and sunset as well, I have seen those setups work and look nice as well.
The background on my aquarium you have seen before is black construction paper I paid 2 bucks for. It is very effective and budget friendly.

 

[JayAlva]

I moved away from 3D backgrounds as well and have been going with window vinyl. Love that I can have it different colors if i want to change it.

 

[bcfishtanks]

I will just say that solid black backgrounds are singlehandedly the best if you want to bring out the colors in your fish and plant life IMO. I think simplicity is key with a aquarium background, you don't want it to distract from your actual tank, which using colorful or highly varied backgrounds makes it look more artificial. However, I have seen 3D backgrounds work great though and are pretty neat which looks like rock formations and such. If you want to do something a little more sophisticated, you can use a frosted background with a light behind it to mimic a natural sunrise and sunset as well, I have seen those setups work and look nice as well.

I always wondered how they did those. They look great when they mimic the sky or when used in blackwater set-ups. Simple may be best, since I don't want the hassle of adding a 3D background now (though I am likely purchasing a house before the year is out, so moving would give me an opportunity to update the tank a bit. However, my biggest goal move-in day would be just getting the fish back into the tanks as fast as possible.

I moved away from 3D backgrounds as well and have been going with window vinyl. Love that I can have it different colors if i want to change it.

Wow window vinyl so is much cheaper than "aquarium backgrounds." Definitely sticking with that search. Thank you.

I will just say that solid black backgrounds are singlehandedly the best if you want to bring out the colors in your fish and plant life IMO. I think simplicity is key with a aquarium background, you don't want it to distract from your actual tank, which using colorful or highly varied backgrounds makes it look more artificial. However, I have seen 3D backgrounds work great though and are pretty neat which looks like rock formations and such. If you want to do something a little more sophisticated, you can use a frosted background with a light behind it to mimic a natural sunrise and sunset as well, I have seen those setups work and look nice as well.
The background on my aquarium you have seen before is black construction paper I paid 2 bucks for. It is very effective and budget friendly.

I also really like the black because the filter blends in better, too. If I wanted to go the construction paper route, I'm a teacher, so maybe some construction paper happens to just wander home in my bag one day...

 

[JLAquatics]

I always wondered how they did those. They look great when they mimic the sky or when used in blackwater set-ups. Simple may be best, since I don't want the hassle of adding a 3D background now (though I am likely purchasing a house before the year is out, so moving would give me an opportunity to update the tank a bit. However, my biggest goal move-in day would be just getting the fish back into the tanks as fast as possible.


Wow window vinyl so is much cheaper than "aquarium backgrounds." Definitely sticking with that search. Thank you.


I also really like the black because the filter blends in better, too. If I wanted to go the construction paper route, I'm a teacher, so maybe some construction paper happens to just wander home in my bag one day...

You can't get cheaper than that and you would have a simple and effective background that way. If you have to move the tank too, it would be nothing to remove and reapply the construction paper as well once the tank was moved. That's three wins in one!

 

[FreshwaterCole]

Got bored with Black background (although it is the best way to bring everything out in an aquarium) and various aquarium backgrounds ourselves...

So we are using a terrarium style background that has these massive lighter color tree roots that go into a dull/Mossy color to black bottom..lol... For a fry tank.

Those 3d rock backgrounds look awesome, depending on size of tank you may even be able to hide filter behind one of those?

Got bored with Black background (although it is the best way to bring everything out in an aquarium) and various aquarium backgrounds ourselves...

So we are using a terrarium style background that has these massive lighter color tree roots that go into a dull/Mossy color to black bottom..lol... For a fry tank.

Those 3d rock backgrounds look awesome, depending on size of tank you may even be able to hide filter behind one of those?

Also, poster board works well and is cheap, we have never got any wet or had to replace, looks good especially black.

 

[NotSoAggressiveAquatics]

I always like a navy blue background. It’s what I have for my tanks.

 

[bcfishtanks]

Did the construction paper. Getting used to it. Not sure how I feel about it yet.

 

[Nopsu]

Was about to ask the same question, I have had one back wall of some kind of light colored tiles (piece of vinyl wall paper) and other wall bare which I am thinking of either doing both walls something new or just the one that is bare now.

I used to have black construction paper at some point but it got ripped apart in the move 2 years ago.

Any ideas? Can be something abnormal too like wooden wall look