[k3xx]

I just aquired a new 10 gallon that I can't wait to start putting together! It's going to be a heavily planted betta tank! Before I begin, I really want to paint a delicate, intricate, amazing background in acrylic on the outside of the back of the tank. Has anyone done this before? Does anyone have any awesome ideas? I dont know if I want my wall to show through at all, but it wouldn't really matter because my walls are a dark, foresty green...
Thanks, all!

 

[Leichty]

I have been checking youtube out for backgrounds I'm in the same vote, don't want the wall to show behind the tank, youtube has all kinds of videos for diy aquarium backgrounds, just type what kind of background your looking for.. I haven't decided yet mine, painted black or 3d..Good Luck..

 

[bushynoseburton]

I just put slate on the inside of my tank wall.... Looks great!! I'll post pics later when I download them on the pc....

 

[xbox360]

What I did with my 20 gal is I took a piece of cardboard (a flat one) and I cut it to the dimensions of the back of the tank. Then I spray painted it black and stuck it back there against the glass. Cost me nothing. (i had spray paint and cardboard).

 

[k3xx]

That sounds cool! cichlid-forum.com has the most amazing DIY in-aquarium background! Though I think it may cost a bit to buy everything it just has the most amazing effect ever! heres the link:
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_aquarium_background.php

 

[lochaber]

a 10 gallon doesn't give you a lot of depth to use with putting in a background.

I'd strongly recommend just up and spraypainting the back of the tank black. - it's relatively easy, pretty cheap, and it will look pretty nice without detracting from your plants/fish (and possibly accentuating them)

I've used this method on several tanks, and never regretted it

 

[k3xx]

What I was thinking of doing was painting the pretty background and then painting over that black, so all the empty spaces would be filled with black.. But seeing as I am horrendously out of cash, I may just have to do that.

 

[moonshinetheslacker]

If you check out my UGLY TANK in my signature, I built a slate wall for the background out of two pieces of busted up slate tile, and some silicone. I think I bought two or three tiles at 2 bucks a piece, and used one tube of standard, clear, GE silicone caulk. (hindsight I would have used black caulk)

 

[Malawi man]

I've been trying to find a 3d background for my 90g bowfront. I can't find the right size ANYWHERE and anything close is hundreds $. I'll eventually get around to making my own, as for now, just black. Like previous posters said, 10g really isn't that much room to work with. With that being said though, I don't think you would have to pay as much attention to detail. Compared to a blown up 4' by 3' tank background.

 

[Psionic]

You could always paint a piece of cardboard black like someone suggested. Attach it to the back for the time being. Later on when you have an idea and cash, it'll be easy to change. You can always keep changing it if you want to also.


-Val

 

[k3xx]

I just found out that Fimo and Sculpey are aquarium safe and I am so happy!!

 

[mellowvision]

Eh, sorta. I'd say they're only safe if perfectly cured and used sparingly. I made a bowl garden with Sculpey planters, and they turned the water brown for months and months, even with daily waterchanges. I'd skip it for a background.

 

[blacksheep998]

I tape black felt on the back of my tanks. I work at a garden center and many of the trees we get come with their trunks wrapped in the stuff, so I have access to as much as I could possibly need and don't have to pay for it.

 

[k3xx]

Huh.. I really wanted to make floating water lilies for decoration..

 

[moonshinetheslacker]

You can still make the floating water lillies. Just put them in your shower for a good 6-12 months. After being saturated and rinsed daily (I hope) you will probably rinse all the nastiness right off!