Backgrounds

[ladyoutlaw50]

I need backgrounds for a 20 gal and a 29 gal ---is there something around the house that would work well -- I really do not want to spend the money for what they ask at the LFS. All suggestions welcome!!

thank you

[PUNISHER VETTE]

I used construction paper for both my 30g and 110g.

[ladyoutlaw50]

never would have thought of that. I was thinking of taking a black trash bag, cutting it and putting that on the back --it won't matter if it gets wet when doing a water change -- what do you think?

[krisco]

should work fine. A lot of folks also use black fabric, and some like to spray paint the outside glass black

[ladyoutlaw50]

I don't want to paint -- plus they are too close to the wall --

[PUNISHER VETTE]

trash bag i think would work, just make sure you keep it tight or you might be able to see the wrinkles and such.

[Ellen4God]

I think I've read about somebody using Vaseline to put a trash bag on the back of their tank. They put the Vaseline on the tank, and then a cut open trash bag on it. They then took like a ruler or something to swipe over the trash bag to make sure all of the folds and bubbles were out. That may work for ya!

[NanoTankGuy]

I'm lucky that way - my room is painted beautiful dark cherry (almost mahogany colour), so my walls pretty much make up for abscence of background. I always hated most of these :spam: stupid backgrounds:spam: they offer in pet stores anyhow. Like, how does it make sense for you to have a background w/marine inverts in a FW tank? grrrr-rr-r-r. I'm just happy my gf decided on this colour and not on a light one :)

[Anomaly]

Trash bag would work fine. We went with a straight black background for our 36g, and we're glad we did. The black really make the fish and decorations stand out beautifully.

We've always attached backgrounds using vegetable oil. It works great and allows the background to really pop from behind the tank once the air bubbles are squeeged out.

[Tolley]

i use cardboard, cut to fit the tank, masking tape all round the edges to smooth them. Paint with blackboard paint.

[Lady Hobbs]

I tried the trash bag and couldn't get the wrinkles out. I've changed my backgrounds with some weird stuff. Used a towel, used some leopard print material, cut up a straw mat I purchased for that reason, used poster board, and used an old curtain. Liked all of it for about 10 minutes. LOL

Of course all of this went on one tank that is jammed between two walls so I had to be an acrobat to even get the background on it.

[ladyoutlaw50]

well, I guess we all know what I will be trying today -- will let you know how I make out!! LOL
I also hate the backgrounds that lfs sells -- 1. they are expensive and 2. just think they look cheesy. 3. could never understand having a sw background on a fw tank!! I personally think a solid color looks better.
Has anyone heard of putting tinfoil on the back -- I had that suggested by a neighbor -- I just can't picture it myself and what about the crinkles -- mmm don't think that is one I will try -- but who knows!!!:ezpi_wink1:

[Lady Hobbs]

00ps........tried that one too. And some gold foil wrapping paper. LOLOL

Didn't like any of it. LOLOL

[ladyoutlaw50]

well I think I am going to wander around the house and see what I can come up with -- if anything. One tank is against a white wall and that isn't that bad, but have a hob filter and when taking pictures -- tada there it is. The other tank is against a credenza and there is glass doors and you can see them when taking pics and it just doesn't look that good!! I have been complaining about it for about a year now -- so thought I would just do something!! LOL

[smcurry83]

I wanted an all black background so I bought a 49 cent piece of poster board at Target. Cheap, easy and effective.

[Lab_Rat]

I also went with the posterboard for the background on my 29g. It was quick, easy, and looks nice. My 55g has a black background painted on (was like that when I bought it).