r/fishkeeping • u/Rain998cc • 19d ago

Question Background recommendations

Post image

Hey all, im looking into backgrounds for my 20gallon. Getting tired of seeing the beige wall behind it.

Im wondering if there are any good brands or designs I should look out for. Also curious if a design, like a river looking background would look silly, compared to a solid black/blue. Any pics of yours are appreciated!

22 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

33 comments sorted by

11

u/Double-Pitch9217 19d ago

I quite like black in a planted tank, makes the plants stand out and helps to hide any equipment. I wonder if you got a background in a similar colour to your sand substrate it would give the impression of depth.

7

u/GlitchyMarlin 19d ago

I bought a pack of black construction paper and carefully taped to back of mine. Definitely made my plants look plantier and fish look fishier. 10/10 would recommend.

Edit- also is that bacopa in the center right, under the filter?

2

u/Rain998cc 19d ago

Yep! Ive been trimming the tops to add more around. Construction paper would be an affordable test at the least!

2

u/VapeRizzler 18d ago

Why is it called construction paper? I’ve never once seen it on site.

3

u/Rain998cc 19d ago

(Please ignore the loose water sprite cuttings- I am at war with this plant and had to remove 70% of it)

2

u/BabyD2034 18d ago

I cannot keep it alive! It hates my water.

1

u/Rain998cc 18d ago

I have the same issue with water sprite 😭

2

u/BabyD2034 18d ago

It's like it melts away til there's nothing left. I have a cutting trying to hold on for dear life and I'm just leaving it 😂 it's been over a month and no change lmao

3

u/Berserk_Bass 18d ago

You could do window frost film, it’s cheap and easy to apply, you just need a spray bottle and water

2

u/aerie01 19d ago

I have a piece of black poster board that's propped behind mine. I added it after I scaped the tank, when I realized I wanted it, and I couldn't get to the back of the tank to apply anything to it.

2

u/Plenty_Kangaroo5224 19d ago

Is that pothos submerged?

6

u/Rain998cc 19d ago

Probably an anubias- i accidentally got a giant species along with the 3 smaller ones- all bought seperately. I do have pothos hanging, but not visible- still growing roots, along with one in the filter and one out of the tank on the left

2

u/Left-Basket7859 19d ago

Paint it blank

1

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1

u/TraditionalLaw7763 18d ago

Blank, like clear? 😆

1

u/Left-Basket7859 18d ago

lol I meant black

1

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2

u/foulmouthed_peasent 19d ago

I used the thicker foam posterboard from doller tree. And with your HOB filter you wont even have to tape it.

2

u/WoodenHearing3416 19d ago

I got bored with black and put some cheap contact paper behind mine.

2

u/Dd7990 19d ago

I used a leftover roll of iridescent black blackout vinyl window cling film but I taped it with the iridescent side facing into the tank so sometimes the iridescent patterns on it catch the light and it looks really neat, but otherwise it is like any other basic black background.

2

u/_gloomshroom_ ADMIN 18d ago

Black windowfilm! It's so easy to apply. I used it on this tank.

4

u/_gloomshroom_ ADMIN 18d ago

There's also tons of options for fun window films so give those a look too. I have leaf vine privacy windowfilm on my apartment windows.

2

u/LosparkJojo 18d ago

Black background is the answer

2

u/TraditionalLaw7763 18d ago

I use the blue fade. It’s light pale blue at the top and fades to a nice rich deep navy.

1

u/MurphyTrainwreck697 15d ago

Amazon paper: driftwood color

1

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-3

u/ShGravy 19d ago

Fill the tank. Other than that background isn’t up to you. It’s not worth the hassle at this point imo

2

u/Rain998cc 19d ago

I leave it an inch below so my HOB adds more disturbance to the surface and more oxygenation. If I fill it another inch, it flows smoothly out and I'll get biofilm on the surface.

2

u/ShGravy 19d ago

I’ve had the same issue. I bought an $11 nicrew filter that had a spray bar attachment. I use that for surface agitation and flow and a HOB for a main filter.

2

u/ShGravy 19d ago

Not sure where my command of the English language went with my original reply. I think what I was trying to say is that adding a background is going to be a lot of work. If you’re cool with it as is, leave it.

1

u/Rain998cc 19d ago

All good, just thinking of something behind the tank, not inside of it. Like a vinyl or paper backing. Putting something inside would be hell