Background for tanks

[Sb1415]

looking for recommendations for backgrounds for my tank. I like the white frosted looks, like the one on Mj aquascaping and Jeff Miotkes beginner tank that he posted recently. I am in the US and trying to see if I can order something off Amazon.

 

[Art]

I also like the white but also the gradient blue look. Here is a company in the US that sells vinyls for this: Aquarium Vinyl. Aqua Forest Aquarium sells the ADA Gradation Sheet which is nice. Of course, you can also buy the cheap ones from Amazon that work fine as well. I remember purchasing a white semi clear one from Amazon that was nice.

 

[Jeff Miotke]

looking for recommendations for backgrounds for my tank. I like the white frosted looks, like the one on Mj aquascaping and Jeff Miotkes beginner tank that he posted recently. I am in the US and trying to see if I can order something off Amazon.

I’ve been using white privacy film with backlighting for about 15 years now, and it’s one of my favorite techniques. It all started when I shot my aquascapes for contests with a strobe behind the tank—I loved the look so much that I wanted it all the time!

This is the film I use:

Home Depot Frosted Glass Privacy Window Film (No Glue)

Make sure to get the static cling type without adhesive—it’s easier to apply and remove, and won’t damage the glass.

You can see exactly how I mount the backlight in my Mountain Stream video—it’s the same setup on all my tanks. I usually just repurpose an older aquarium light for this.

I also have a lightscreen with a blue gradient, but I’ve stopped using it. While the effect is clean, it sits directly on the glass, which creates a hard edge that doesn’t have the same feel—especially next to my DIY setup. Plus, I couldn’t use a magnetic cleaner on the back panel, which made maintenance harder. Little inconveniences like that add up over time.

Hope that helps.

 

[Pepere]

Plus, I couldn’t use a magnetic cleaner on the back panel, which made maintenance harder. Little inconveniences like that add up over time.

Yeah, i just opt for the black Rustoleum paint on the back glass. Algae doesnt show…. One less maintenance item…..

But yes, I appreciate the frosted white with backlight look…

 

[Sb1415]

I’ve been using white privacy film with backlighting for about 15 years now, and it’s one of my favorite techniques. It all started when I shot my aquascapes for contests with a strobe behind the tank—I loved the look so much that I wanted it all the time!

This is the film I use:

Home Depot Frosted Glass Privacy Window Film (No Glue)

Make sure to get the static cling type without adhesive—it’s easier to apply and remove, and won’t damage the glass.

You can see exactly how I mount the backlight in my Mountain Stream video—it’s the same setup on all my tanks. I usually just repurpose an older aquarium light for this.

I also have a lightscreen with a blue gradient, but I’ve stopped using it. While the effect is clean, it sits directly on the glass, which creates a hard edge that doesn’t have the same feel—especially next to my DIY setup. Plus, I couldn’t use a magnetic cleaner on the back panel, which made maintenance harder. Little inconveniences like that add up over time.

Hope that helps.

Thank you! This is super helpful. The video was great and now you have to let me know which backlight and fixtures that you use! That's a cool idea and did not think about having a permanent fixation like that without having to shell out for an expensive LED screen.

 

[Sb1415]

I also like the white but also the gradient blue look. Here is a company in the US that sells vinyls for this: Aquarium Vinyl. Aqua Forest Aquarium sells the ADA Gradation Sheet which is nice. Of course, you can also buy the cheap ones from Amazon that work fine as well. I remember purchasing a white semi clear one from Amazon that was nice.

Thanks Art. The tutorial for the vinyl placement was very thorough on the acquarium vinyl website!

 

[Phish Tank]

I prefer black backgrounds, yesterday I carefully applied one i bought that is a static cling one (spoiler alert: don't buy the one I got).
It took quite a while to get all the bubbles worked out of it, but it looked great when I finished yesterday. All the bubbles were gone. The edges weren't perfect, it was hard to get a clean side cut, but the bubbles were all gone.

Now this morning a see a ton of tiny bubbles across the back. Cr*p!

So now I'm not sure what to do. Contemplating using acrylic paint (liquitex basics water based, which i already have), but need to leak test the new tanks before doing something so permanent. plus I'm time constrained, I have plant orders arriving in a few days, so need to get cracking on other setup tasks.

How many of you have done black painted backgrounds, and what did you use?

 

[Sb1415]

I prefer black backgrounds, yesterday I carefully applied one i bought that is a static cling one (spoiler alert: don't buy the one I got).
It took quite a while to get all the bubbles worked out of it, but it looked great when I finished yesterday. All the bubbles were gone. The edges weren't perfect, it was hard to get a clean side cut, but the bubbles were all gone.

Now this morning a see a ton of tiny bubbles across the back. Cr*p!

So now I'm not sure what to do. Contemplating using acrylic paint (liquitex basics water based, which i already have), but need to leak test the new tanks before doing something so permanent. plus I'm time constrained, I have plant orders arriving in a few days, so need to get cracking on other setup tasks.

How many of you have done black painted backgrounds, and what did you use?

Not a personal experience but I have heard people say that those tiny bubble will go away with time.

 

[Pepere]

I use Rustoleum gloss black paint. At least 2 coats, one in morning one in the evening, on occasion a 3rd coat the next morning.

If using glass lily pipes or other fittings that need to suction cup in place on the exterior, I cut a square of window glass big enough to work and stick it in place over the paint using silicone.

The paint stays in place well, but removal is easy with a razor blade in a scraping frame.

It works well enough I have never contemplated using anything else…

 

[Phish Tank]

Not a personal experience but I have heard people say that those tiny bubble will go away with time.

Yeah, I read that too, ....but.... none of these bubbles were there yesterday after I finished applying the background. And this morning there are hundreds of teenie tiny bubbles. So they showed up overnight. I'd love it if they somehow disappeared, but I wouldn't bet much $$ on it

 

[techman81]

I use Rustoleum gloss black paint. At least 2 coats, one in morning one in the evening, on occasion a 3rd coat the next morning.

If using glass lily pipes or other fittings that need to suction cup in place on the exterior, I cut a square of window glass big enough to work and stick it in place over the paint using silicone.

The paint stays in place well, but removal is easy with a razor blade in a scraping frame.

It works well enough I have never contemplated using anything else…

I had the same issues with the black vinyl I chose for my first tank. In my case, I don't think it was bubbles, but the vinyl itself just wasn't very smooth on the side contacting the glass, so it looked a bit like bubbles and not a smooth black finish. I then went with the paint and have used it on another tank now. On my third tank, I used frosted vinyl. With it, a less than smooth finish isn't an issue. Here is the black paint I use. I would go for at least 3 coats.

 

[techman81]

If using glass lily pipes or other fittings that need to suction cup in place on the exterior, I cut a square of window glass big enough to work and stick it in place over the paint using silicone.

Excellent idea!