Do you really need a background on a tank?

Hawkian

Purely cosmetic!

I actually believe that backgrounds, while being neat, are just another gimmick for the fish supply vendors to make more $$, and I should talk because I only have one tank and I have 3 different backgrounds for it that I change periodically. If they make it, we'll buy it right?

McNertney

A good idea for background that doesn't look takey. I sprayed "great Stuff" on the back of my tank. before i put water in of course. then you can put whatever fake plants or wood or whatever in the wet foam and let it dry. Great stuff is an expanding foam crack and gap filler. you can get black or yellow. black is for ponds so its safe but i use yellow also. then cover it in silicone and mash coco coir into the wet silicone wherever you want to fill gaps. wait for it to dry a few days and fill it with a hose outside to get the loose stuff out. the coir will tint the water a little brown for about a week but its all safe for most fish. algae will grow on the back and fill in the unnatural looking parts. mine came out pretty good. less than 10 bucks in materials.

WisFish

My only "pet peeve" is seeing a salt water background on a freshwaer tank. I've seen that combo more than once.

PaperclipGirl

McNertney - what is "great stuff" ?? I LOVE that idea of spraying the back of the tank and adding stuff!

I'm already planning a 90g tank so this would be a great idea!!!

McNertney

Great Stuff is what its labeled... Great stuff. Its an expanding foam used to fill cracks and weatherproof windows. they have a mix thats just for ponds and rocks. Its black instead of yellow. I got the idea when i was into vivariums a while ago. I started using it in my aquariums cause i had a vivarium that failed so i just filled the tank with water and it looked cool. Here is a pictorial on how to do it. You can spray the stuff directly on the glass you dont need the crate part. and when the foam is wet you can just stick stuff in you dont need to screw anything in.
Anson's Vivarium
let me know if you have any questions