[Stemwinder]

I'm giong to be doing some re-scaping before I plant my tank this weekend. I've been thinking about how I want to stack my rocks and where I want to put certain kinds of plants.

Which got me to thinking about backgrounds. I'm curious what everyone here likes. No background? Black? Blue? Has anyone painted their own?

Just trying to brainstorm here. I would love to see some pics of great backdrops.

 

[talontsiawd]

I like black and all my tanks are black. I really like window tint if there is no light source behind it (5% or less). It looks much better than even a black film, best IMO.

 

[newday3000]

I've used black felt on the back of the tank, so light doesn't reflect. cheap and easy.

 

[F22]

black krylon has always been my "go to" move...

 

[James4226c]

Painted the back of my latest tank black and I have to say that I wouldn't do it any other way in the future

 

[Saintly]

+1 for Black

I had picture background before and a blue one, but nothing shows the colours of your plants or fish, as a black background will.

 

[Nate McFin]

I am using Blue right now and I like it alot. It especially enhances moonlight if you have them. Black seems to absorb moonlight while the blue reflects it and makes it brighter. (unless I am nuts)
My favorite background ,however, is foamcore with backlighting. I was going to use it on my new set up but I just didnt have the room.
Check it out!
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/equipment/46504-foamcore-backlighting-system.html

 

[q8vw]

+1 Black, easy cheap,
+1 Dark Blue

 

[Kathyy]

I was happy with black but my tank is a five footer and with lights off that is a large blank spot in the room even though the tank is open top so some light gets in. I took off my background and have been very happy with no background so far. The fish and plants can look like they are in the room with you.

I tried a rock/wood background but it diminished the apparent depth of the tank.

 

[Lycosa]

I always paint the back of my tanks black. I don't think I could have it any other way.

 

[Centromochlus]

Painting the back is definitely the way to go. Plastic paper backgrounds are nice, but water easily gets behind them and it's a PAIN when that happens, since it doesn't look very good.

I painted the back of my 150 with an all-surface flat black spray paint that I found at the home depot. Most people recommend latex paint, but I thought the spray paint worked quite well (although i don't think it can be removed now; that's one benefit of using latex). I had to tape plastic sheets everywhere though, since we sprayed it inside my room. The fumes were pretty bad, and I did get some paint on the walls- it's almost impossible not to if your doing it inside the house.

Good luck.

 

[nokturnalkid]

My vote is for black with white being a close second.

 

[Lance Uppercut]

I am using Blue right now and I like it alot. It especially enhances moonlight if you have them. Black seems to absorb moonlight while the blue reflects it and makes it brighter. (unless I am nuts)
My favorite background ,however, is foamcore with backlighting. I was going to use it on my new set up but I just didnt have the room.
Check it out!
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/equipment/46504-foamcore-backlighting-system.html

That's cool I hadn't seen that on here before. I had a similar idea but was going to use multiple lights or a light with adjustable intensities to create different effects.

 

[Minsc]

I really like having no background, the shadows behind the tank really give it a sense of depth. Having either a black or white background is really essential for good photos though.

 

[theblondskeleton]

I recently installed something like the white foam core background. I installed an acrylic fluorescent lighting diffusing sheet in a cracked pattern that blurs everything behind the tank. Then, I picked up some moonlights and aimed them at the foam core. I keep them on 24 hrs a day. This gives the background a nice backlit blue tone during the day, and a cool silhouette effect at night.

I had my tank painted black for a long time, but it killed any depth I got out of the tank. this method is nicer than having the open back, as you can't see what's behind the tank (hoses, equipment, etc), but the light effect makes all of the plants and fish pop, giving it great depth.

I work in the theatre, and this is a lighting effect we use all the time to create a feeling of depth onstage. It translates nicely to the tank

 

[tsweers89]

black all the way

 

[Dara]

I've never tried this, but I wonder what a frosted background might look. And I don't mean that cheesy snow in a can stuff.

 

[Oreo]

Or, for a much more elaborate idea... (Please don't mind the horrid state of my plants in these pics. I had exactly 2 weeks of experience with plants when these pics were taken and the tank of misfit fish really took their toll.)

I ain't gonna lie, this was a whole lot of friggin work:

On the other hand, if you know what you're after you can influence how the water circulates in the tank, and provide elevated nooks for plants to grow. If you should decide to try something like this let me know and I can share some of the things I've learned along the way that will help you make a successful design for a planted aquarium.

 

[Nate McFin]

I would love to see some pics of the backgound blondskeleton! Sounds like a cool set up.

 

[talontsiawd]

I really like having no background, the shadows behind the tank really give it a sense of depth. Having either a black or white background is really essential for good photos though.

I feel the same. My 10 gallon had no background and every time I post up pictures, everyone says that what is behind the tank is distracting. In the pictures, this is true, in real life, it looks great and you would never be bothered about it. I did put a background on though I haven't posted pics, but I am not sure if it will stay.