Various Techniques Employed in Creating a Realistic Backdrop to Your Aquarium

In the first part of my article regarding backdrops and backgrounds, I discussed how realistic and beautiful the simple and inexpensive addition of a background could create a nice representation of a natural reef biotope as well as conceal less than desirable wires, extension cords, equipment and plumbing behind your tank. I also provided a couple ways of creating a nice sense of depth and realism by either employing the 3-D translucent approach or the standard background that can compliment the aquascaping scheme of any aquarium to make it really stand out. I will now discuss more thoroughly some of the key components with creating the most bang for your buck as well as most realistic approach when employing a background that fits inside your tank and one that adheres to the back of the glass on the outside.

Backgrounds can either be situated in or out of the tank. If you purchase one that adheres to the back of your tank glass, you are going to want to be aware and take certain precautions to make this work realistically. First, maintaining a clean back glass is going to be essential. Removal and minimizing of salt creep and water from dripping down between the glass and the paper is crucial. The rear glass is going to have to be algae free to keep with the realism and natural beauty that you are trying to replicate. In order to do this, the normal rock wall held up against the back glass is not going to work. Having space between the rock and coral and the back glass will allow you to scrape and maintain a clean glass for the beauty and benefit of the background to hold true. The use of a sponge, credit card, dedicated scrapper, or magnetic device will help to maintain a clean glass throughout the aquarium.

Their is a second problem that can carry out if some creativity isn't involved. When the background is in place their is a break line between the blue background and the sand line of the benthic area of your tank. This immediately takes away from the sense of depth and realism that is trying to be employed here. This will stick out like a sore thumb, however their are ways to minimize or negate this problem all together. First of all, by creating a dune away from the back glass or trench close to the glass will act as a barrier and separate the sand/glass line. Placing live rock or corals, strategically, to hide as much of the sand line as possible will also help. Hiding power heads in the live rock will also provide a more realistic approach. Combining this with enabling certain corals to grow on overflows and pipes will also conceal and reduce the eye sores while once again establishing a closer representation of that found in the wild.

If your desire is to provide your tank with a background that can be set up inside the tank, it does have its merit over the background attached to the outside of your tank in that you don't have to worry about salt creep or water dripping between the glass and background since the background will be on the inside to cover that end of it from happening. The thing that you will have to do periodically is remove the background to rid the background of algae, cyanobacteria, vermatid snails and other small micro crustaceans from growing and taking over the background once again depreciating the realistic approach you are trying to depict. Again, having easy access to the removal and periodic spot cleaning, not only makes this process easier but will help to ensure that you will perform this cleaning ritual religiously.

OK, so there you have it, ways of increasing the beauty and enjoyment provided by your tank. Anyone in the aquarium hobby, does not want to be inundated and have the focal point of their tank be on the wires, equipment, wall and plumbing often associated with the back of their tank. The translucent 3-D panels and the interior or exterior background provides ways of hiding these gaudy eye sores and allow your tank to have a sense of depth which is evident in nature. Having a diverse amount of corals and fish with some rock work to provide caves and crevices and a realistic representation will really make your tank stand out. The creation of an endless blue bliss frequently encountered in the natural reef biotope is something that you can create by incorporating a background into your aquarium set up.

To add to this, by providing corals to grow along portions of the back glass either as outcrops from the live rock or attached by adhesive or magnet concealed fragmets, you can create a neat cave or natural groove type scenario to offer a unique separation from the norm.

With your valuable time, money and dedication to creating an aquarium that is as close as that found in nature, why would you want to see overflows, pipes, wires, plumbing, equipment or the back wall of your house to take away from the glory that is yours and the enjoyment you deserve.

Time to fine tune your tank while increasing the beauty and enjoyment as easily as adding an inexpensive background that requires very little time, besides I think your tank is worth more than a few dollars and an hour or so of your time...right?

Enjoy-