The background not only makes an aquarium look complete but
provides the natural security that aquarium fish require. Aquarium fish are
usually low in the food chain and in the wild their home is generally near the
river bank close to the sanctuary of plants or rocky banks. Your choice of
background should mimic the natural environment of the fish yet at the same
time produce an aesthetically pleasing result.
Keeping this in mind, the only real bounds to the choice of
background are those of your imagination. Personally I like to use natural
materials for backgrounds. Some of the most impressive I've seen were created
from slate or rocks, cork tiles and flourishing live plants. The use of dark
colours brings out the natural hues of the fish and helps to make them feel
secure. Dark colours also make the back of the aquarium recede giving the
impression of a larger tank. Light colours tend to dominate and don't show the
fish at their best. You may also want to add a background to the sides of the
tank. Although these won't be seen by you, they will be seen by the fish and
provide some added security.
Unless you are creating a home for your fish within the
background i.e. using rocks to imitate lake walls, I recommend attaching the
backdrop to the outside of the tank. If the backdrop is on the outside of the
tank it is easier to change, easier to secure in place and you are not limited
by materials which are potentially toxic to the fish. On the other hand
attaching the backdrop inside the tank will prevent reflection from the glass,
worth considering if you are a budding photographer.
