Background Info

[Ahughes1805]

I’m looking to put up a black background on my tank and looking for opinions and links.

Thanks!

[Janoš Bećar Pecaroš]

https://www.amazon.com/Total-Blackout-Window-Film-Prevention/dp/B071HLNG14/ref=asc_df_B071HLNG14/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=220435445888&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15947803818584001446&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9022896&hvtargid=pla-389004196924&psc=1

You can also get some paint and paint it.

[Pepere]

Black Rustoleum enamel has worked well for me.  I put on 2 coats, lightly sanding between coats.

[AnimalNerd98]

I just cutout black Bristol board paper from Dollar Tree to size. I just secure it on the back with some pieces of tape. This way, if you ever need to take it down or sell it, it is super easy to remove or replace. I think I learned it from @Irene but I can’t remember the specific video. 

[Pepere]

I do find the rustoleum removes easily with a window scraping razorblade should one decide to.

personally I can not forsee a reason why I would want to remove it.

an advantage toRustoleum paint is that you wont have drips between a taped on item and the glass, nor does it get wet and wrinkled like a taped on item may.

[Cawafuoshi]

Once I painted with some acrylic, but I prefer the cardboard solution. This way, I can change backgrounds between black and blue. 

[PotatoFish]

You could try using tape and black foam board instead of paper. I think it holds up better, especially if you accidentally get some water back there and wet it.

[Cawafuoshi]

On 8/18/2022 at 8:14 AM, PotatoFish said:

You could try using tape and black foam board instead of paper. I think it holds up better, especially if you accidentally get some water back there and wet it.

Yes, that is the one. So many options.

[Flumpweesel]

I have just used this on my main tank, I can't move the tank so anything that goes behind has to be water proof and rigid enough to slot down without ceasing. As well as being bendy enough to manoeuvre

 

For clarity it is plain on the other side. 

And here in situ showing off my algae nicely (no wonder my Otto's are tubby)

Oh and that stuff is really cheap it was £3 a sheet 120cm x 60cm

[Ahughes1805]

Wanted to say thank you every for the ideas! Really helps out!

[gardenman]

I just use the cheap black craft paint (typically around $0.97 a bottle at Walmart.) I apply it with a cheap disposable foam brush and use my hair dryer to speed up the paint drying time so I can apply multiple coats. The total cost for the brush and paint is less than $2. and it looks and works great. I can do three or four coats in a half hour by using the hairdryer to accelerate the paint drying process. Should I ever need to remove it, it scrapes off very easily using a Scotchbrite pad or scraper.

[Pepere]

In terms of color I love black.

 

hob, sponge filters, heaters black airline tubing, they virtually disappear in the background, and algae is pretty much invisible as well.

[FLFishChik]

One of my tanks has black poster board taped to the back, the other I used cheap black acrylic craft paint ($0.97 at Walmart). From the front, there’s no difference in how they look. The acrylic paint scrapes off easily so I’m not worried if I ever need to remove it from the glass.

[SugarBassJoe]

I've been using black chalkboard paper, had water get in-between it once when installing a new filter, but it dried out quickly and had no effect on the paper, tank looks great.

[PotatoFish]

On 8/18/2022 at 10:59 PM, Pepere said:

In terms of color I love black.

 

hob, sponge filters, heaters black airline tubing, they virtually disappear in the background, and algae is pretty much invisible as well.

I concur. It helps to hide a lot of the "machinery" and allow the eyes to focus on the fishies, plants and hardscape.

[Biotope Biologist]

One I haven’t seen yet that I like is black silicone. I especially like it if you want to glue insulation to the back. I use a plastic paint spatula to smooth it out. The world’s your oyster with black. Black static cling is very easy to come by at craft stores if you ever want to change colors down the road.

Edited August 18, 2022 by Biotope Biologist
The color of the spatula doesn’t matter lol

[procyg]

I use rabbitgoo window privacy film.  easy and pretty inexpensive.  i would probably paint my next one as i doubt I will be able to repair or replace this without a lot of draining of the tank.