Background for the 46g

[iamcowboy]

I'm taking suggestions for the background on the 46g that I will be setting up soon. Keep in mind that it will be planted. Options I have considered so far are:

1)The old standard paint the back glass black

2)Cut to size a thin piece of mohagany plywood and stain it dark attempting to acheive some variation in color across the width. (this of course would be attached outside of the tank)

 

[Cichlid-Man]

Why not go low budget and use just a normal aquarium background thats black?

 

[iamcowboy]

I see CM thinks like me low cost, low hassels. One definate advantage also would be if I get tired of the look just remove and replace with a new one.

What else guys?

 

[MrBungle]

probably not the most cost effective but it looks sooooo good.
AquaTerra
theres a bunch of companies that make stuff like this.

 

[iamcowboy]

Yeah I've looked at that website befor and a few others like them. Looks really cool but as you said not very cost effective.

Keep em coming

 

[TLH]

Floor tiles come in a range of sizes and colours or you could use natural stone ones like slate.Depends what you want really.Next tank I get will be plain black instead of the wallpaper I can see at the minute.

 

[Big Vine]

Floor tiles come in a range of sizes and colours

That's a cool idea too...never thought of that before.

BV

 

[TLH]

There's loads of stuff you could use.Carpet,rafia mats,those bamboo rolling mats for sushi,wallpaper samples,lino,those hazel twig fence covering panels,I'm not sure what it's called but the green covered bitumen roofing material for sheds,the list goes on and on just depends what you want or like the look of.

 

[cinlnk]

Here is an idea ya might like....

Pictures....Photos... of your Family,friends,special occasions.... whatever you like!!!! The options are endless.

 

[seastaar88]

i guess i'm pretty boring. i prefer spraypainting the back black...! it's easy. once you have decor in there, ya dont even notice the background so why bother making it more complicated?! hehehe just MHO!

 

[iamcowboy]

Floor tiles come in a range of sizes and colours or you could use natural stone ones like slate.Depends what you want really.Next tank I get will be plain black instead of the wallpaper I can see at the minute.

Wouldn't they weight of the tiles (by the time you cover width and height) be a concern on the bottom glass? I have looked at tiles as an option but when I held one in my hands I immediately dismissed the idea.

 

[TLH]

I thought we were talking outside of the tank!

 

[iamcowboy]

I thought we were talking outside of the tank!

LOL! Well I was assuming that this would need to be done inside the tank to acheive the natural slate look (if slate was the tile of choice). But I guess it could be done outside and avoid the weight problem.

 

[TLH]

Backgrounds are usually taped to the rear of the tank.It makes it easier to clean the inside glass if there is no obstruction and cleaning some of the things suggested would be a bit difficult if they were in the tank.Besides that,not having them in the water would mean they can't mess with your water parameters.

 

[iamcowboy]

Yeah, I knew most backgrounds were external. For some reason I assumed that I tile background would be internal.