What is the Best color for a background

[Diana]

Test as many colors as you have access to.
Hang paper, garbage bags, towels.... anything...
Just to test what colors you like.

One of my favorites was a fabric with a print on it. Actually, 2 patterns. Both were black, one has deep green and medium green fern fronds. The other is deep green and medium green marbled pattern.
Just looking at these patterns, they are not very garish, and by the time they are seen through the water with plants etc in front they are really nice.
Just enough color so it looks like a lake or river that keeps on going, but a dark enough background that the fish color up really well.

So, to paint something like that you might have to go to a faux finish sort of concept where you use 3 colors. In my case, 2 shades of green and black.

I have seen some really nice effects with blue backgrounds, too.

Plain black works fine, but can give it that 'cave' effect if the light is not good and bright.

[Grizzarian]

Below is no background just the creamy coloured walls which I find to be more soft and chill

This is it with a black background, I find it's more dramatic and eye catching


Personally I love having no background but info had to choose it would be black all the way

[Yankee]

I'm a big fan of glossy black backgrounds. It gives a nice reflection and helps colorful fish stand out.

[dprais1]

I use posterboard and change the bockgrounds pretty often. My fav so far is a dark blue.

painting the back of your tank w latex paint is fast, cheap easy and a snap to take off. no PITA involved. Well a PITA if you have a big tank and can't move it to access the back.

--personally if the tank is scaped well and planted well I really don't notice the background very much. I always notice equip that is visible