While setting up your tank you might want to think about what kind of aquarium background you would like to have. If you doubt the dramatic effect an aquarium background can lend to your tank, just go to a well-maintained pet shop and examine their tanks. You’ll find that many of the tanks have a variety of backgrounds affixed to the outside rear of the aquariums. Take note of the difference it makes compared to those tanks that you can see all the way through!

Buy Aquarium Backgrounds

An aquarium background can complete your tank’s décor in a way that nothing else can. You can usually buy an aquarium background from a roll of pre-printed graphics, usually laminated to protect it from spills. These graphics can be simple or elaborate and make your tank look like a coral reef, a small and calm niche at the bottom of a rock ledge or even something fun such as a scene from the cartoon, Spongebob Squarepants!

The type of background you choose is up to your own individual preference, of course. Some people don’t want a background, preferring to see a particularly nice looking wall behind their aquarium. They may have paneling on the wall or it is painted their favorite color. This is perfectly fine because your aquarium background and the tank itself are there for your enjoyment and nothing else! Most people, however, use the background to enhance the theme of their tank. As well as creating a sense of more space in the tank, backgrounds can hide unsightly pumps and filtering equipment and allow you to view your fish without those distractions.

For instance, if you have a natural theme in your aquarium with neutral gravel and decorations that project a natural habitat, you might want to get a background that resembles the bottom of the Amazon River, a creek bed with boulders or even a beautiful coral reef complete with colorful anemones and an eel peeking out from its lair.

There are some backgrounds that provide startling contrast to your aquarium, like the desert background complete with cacti and scorpions! There are walls of shale, scenes from the Rainforest, seascapes that include exotic saltwater fish that you’d like to have but you’re not ready for the challenge and maintenance of a saltwater tank. You may want to have a solid color such as blue or green or even a textured, three-dimensional background of white. You can choose a matte finish or foil with solid colors.

Whatever aquarium background you choose, you’ll find that they are inexpensive enough that you can have three or four on hand for variety if you like.