Dork Fish Posted June 23 Share Posted June 23 What is your preferred method for setting up a background in your tank? Are there any benefits to this method? I.E. vinyl background, black paint, in-tank rock/foam wall, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xXInkedPhoenixX Posted June 23 Share Posted June 23 I like window film. It's easy to apply and easy to remove if you change your mind. Most people just choose black, which I've done but I also like the clear patterns for more light and/or patterns for fun! It's not expensive and usually a roll will do at least 2 tanks (at least when you have nanos or 20 gallons) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dork Fish Posted June 23 Author Share Posted June 23 @xXInkedPhoenixX That is the same direction that I was leaning, and for the same reasons. I have a 75 gallon tank, but I am still in the process of setting it up lol Curious what other methods people have used for backgrounds as well. 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huckleberry Posted June 23 Share Posted June 23 I brush on black paint. Gives a little texture to it instead of solid black look. Next favorite is my kids black construction paper just tape it on. Window film works also but I like it the least. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dork Fish Posted June 23 Author Share Posted June 23 @Huckleberry Yeah I was looking into black window film, do you have any experience with that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JettsPapa Posted June 23 Share Posted June 23 I've used black poster board, attached with black electrical tape, on the last half dozen or so tanks I've set up. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dork Fish Posted June 23 Author Share Posted June 23 Sounds like a black external background is the most popular 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasper5150 Posted June 23 Share Posted June 23 So far, I have done the poster board taped to the back and painted the back with black paint. Both look ok. Paint definitely looks better. Wanted to do window film but the expense was off putting for a roll Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galabar Posted June 23 Share Posted June 23 I use black spray paint (make sure you seal off the top of the tank and sides to avoid overspray). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepere Posted June 23 Share Posted June 23 (edited) I like rustoleum black paint. It removes easily with a razor blade if you want later. It holds up well to water dripping down on itunlike some other options. 2 coats brushed on. a black background allows black filters, sponges, heaters etc to visually fade away. Algae growing on glass with a black background is invisible. Edited June 23 by Pepere 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Burke Posted June 24 Share Posted June 24 5 hours ago, Pepere said: I like rustoleum black paint. It removes easily with a razor blade if you want later. It holds up well to water dripping down on itunlike some other options. 2 coats brushed on. a black background allows black filters, sponges, heaters etc to visually fade away. Algae growing on glass with a black background is invisible. I like spray paint as well. But I use this: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Oleum-American-Accents-12-oz-Stone-Creations-Pebble-Textured-Finish-Spray-Paint-6-Pack-7995830/202057116 I've used it on a few tanks, but here is my latest build: 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galabar Posted June 24 Share Posted June 24 (edited) I also used Rustoleum (spray paint, black), but probably only because is at eye level at Lowe's and Home Depot? 🙂 Edited June 24 by Galabar 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepere Posted June 24 Share Posted June 24 Background, sometimes I forget…. It gets hard to see with all the plants in the way…. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dork Fish Posted June 24 Author Share Posted June 24 @Ken Burke Wow I have not seen anyone spray the back like that before, very cool looking.@Pepere When my tank grows up, it wants to be like your tank LOL @Pepere In fact, I don't even know what most of the plants are yet but they look cool LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepere Posted June 24 Share Posted June 24 (edited) I dont even know what some of them are. When I started I bought a Plant package at a competitor to the forums host and many of them were listed as “assorted stem plants”… I was overwhelmed by the choices and descriptions on the co op website initially. (They had a lot more choices back then.). I had no idea how many I needed for a 29 gallon tank and reaching out to Customer service for suggested options yielded a “read the website descriptions” reply… @Candi @Corymaybe the Co op could create a blog article for cookie cutter planting choices for various sized tanks featuring plants the co op has in stock . The cookie cutter stocking ideas for fish was certainly helpful… Something that can at least give a beginner an idea of how many plants to get for various tank sizes… A competitor offered a package suitable for a 29 gallon tank with foreground, midground, and background plants… Edited June 24 by Pepere 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dork Fish Posted June 24 Author Share Posted June 24 @Pepere That is great, I will have to look around and see what I can find 🙂 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dork Fish Posted June 25 Author Share Posted June 25 Found this static cling blackout glass film, will see if it works and let y'all know 🙂 Static Cling Glass Film 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anewbie Posted June 25 Share Posted June 25 (edited) Like @PepereI prefer having plants so dense you can't see the back; otherwise i just leave it clear: Edited June 25 by anewbie 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmark285 Posted June 25 Share Posted June 25 For my planned 75 gallon Mbuna tank, what I may try... Take a 1/4" thick sheet of PVC (yes, I have a PVC fetish) and cover it with Gorilla glue (polyurethane glue). Pack moist sand (same sand for substrate) on the top of it and let the glue cure. The polyurethane glue will foam up creating an uneven texture depending on how much glue you put on. This will go on the inside of the tank. I will stack large rocks in front of the background. My goal is to create a face face for the Mbunas. This idea needs some more prototyping 🙂 Gorilla glue is inert once it fully cured (a few weeks). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dork Fish Posted June 25 Author Share Posted June 25 So I got the Static Cling Glass Film applied and it went on great, now to see if it stays that way for the next couple weeks. Looks like it was painted on too, very happy with it so far. As a bonus it was only 10 USD, so easy and cheap. LOL @anewbie Wow those tanks look great! I am definitely going to be heavily planting my tank as well, love the way that looks. 🙂 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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