If you’re decorating your fish tank, you’ve probably come across fish tank backgrounds. But what are these posters and 3D backdrops? Why are they a good idea? And what do you need to know about them?
What are fish tank backgrounds?
There are two main types of fish tank backgrounds:
1. Posters that you can cut to size and insert into your aquarium. These fish tank posters usually come on a roll and may be double-sided.
2. 3D fish tank backgrounds that you can fit or glue inside your aquarium. These textured backdrops are usually modular, which means you can expand them.
Designs usually feature ocean water, cliff drops, and rockeries. We’ve written another blog post on our top four fish tank backgrounds, where you can find inspo for your aquarium.
Bonus Tip
It’s best to insert your fish tank background before you add fish to your tank. Your aquarium needs to be empty when you install your background, so, if you already have fish, they’ll need somewhere to stay while you install your background.
Why should you buy a fish tank background?
Here are our top six reasons to buy a fish tank background for your aquarium.
1. Create a theme for your fish tank
Your fish tank background can play a huge part in your aquarium theme. For example, our trimmable poster seascape background can help you create an under-the-sea theme. (You’ll need an adhesive like Juwel Decoration Poster Fix to attach a background like this.) Meanwhile, our expandable Juwel Cliff Dark, Cliff Light, and Stone Clay backgrounds can help you create an authentic rock-themed design. (You’ll need an adhesive like Juwel Decoration Conexo to fit these backgrounds.
2. Enhance the appearance of your fish tank
Teamed with rocks, stones, pebbles, shells, plants, coral, and/or ornaments, a fish tank background can help you add depth and a touch of nature to your aquarium.
3. Stop fish from feeling agitated
Some fish feel distressed when they see their reflections in aquarium glass. A fish tank background can prevent this. Put your background on two or three sides of your fish tank to minimise the chances of your fish seeing their reflections.
4. Hide wires and equipment
While fish tanks can be tranquil to look at, they do need equipment like tubes and a filter and pump to keep fish healthy. These aren’t always the prettiest to look at, but an aquarium background can help you hide them. (Alternatively, if you have a Juwel internal filter, you could cover this with a two-piece Juwel filter cover, which is available in cliff- and stone-clay designs.
5. Recreate your fishes’ natural habitat
In the ocean, fish spend a lot of time in a dark blue-black environment. You can recreate this habitat with an authentic fish tank background. (However, this isn’t ideal in a small tank…but more on that later.)
6. Make a small fish tank look bigger
A white fish tank background can make your aquarium appear bigger than it really is. These backgrounds can also accentuate and showcase your fish, helping them stand out.
Is a fish tank background right for your aquarium?
Before you buy a fish tank background, consider these three points to check whether a background is right for your aquarium.
1. Fish tank size
If you have a small aquarium that is already full of plants and ornaments, adding a dark background could limit the amount of light that your fish get. If you have a medium or large fish tank, aquarium backgrounds shouldn’t be a problem, though.
2. Fish tank placement
If the back of your fish tank faces a wall, an aquarium background is probably a good idea. But if your fish tank is in the middle of a room, the reverse side of a fish tank poster won’t give you a great view. In this case, stick to the plants and pretty substrate.
3. Fish health
Make sure you buy a fish tank background that is safe for aquarium life. If you don’t buy a proper background from a reputable shop, you could disrupt the chemical balance in your aquarium. (All of our fish tank backgrounds are safe for fish.)
Ready to choose your fish tank background?
About Warehouse Aquatics
The Warehouse Aquatics mission is to offer the most choice at the best prices when it comes to your fishes’ wellbeing. We use the products on our website ourselves and are well-versed in all things fish, so we can give you all the advice you need. We’re not just here to sell aquatic supplies. We’re also here to guide you through your journey as a fish owner and enthusiast.
As a small team, we love to hear from our customers, so please do join the Warehouse Aquatics social media community. We’re always up for a chat, and we’d love to share your aquarium photos with our followers.