Background color

[Rudi Giacomini]

Hi.
Just a small question.
Does anyone ever tried different background colors on one acquascape?

And what are the pros and cons of each color?

[Pat7676]

Depends on the scape. Lot of people use black and white backgrounds. Brings out the color of the plants and the scape better.

[Rudi Giacomini]

I made some experiments only with black and white. Black is better but seems to add too much reflection on back glass :-(

[trenac]

I usually go with either black or dark blue. I think dark colors make the plants & fish stand out more.

[John N.]

I've tried a few. Black always wins out because of the reasons stated before. These are my feelings with the different background colors.


Black Background
Plants colors showcased better, but can make an aquascape feel closed off. Viewer is guided to focus on the plants and overall scape within the glass box.


"Mother Microsorium" - George Farmer's 80cm


Blue Background
Generally not used as much due to odd contrasts to plants. I've seen flat scapes, like iwagumi layouts use this background color succesfully, but tall, lush planted aquariums look odd with a blue background (unless it has a gradient of blue/white/other).

"El Lazarinjo" - Octopus's 2L


White Background
Using a white background is very tough in my opinion. It adds an openness to the tank where a viewer will be allowed to see and imagine beyond the glass walls confines. A scape has to be thought out and stand on its own. Great scapes with white backgrounds often have a great selection of schooling fish to make it seem like they are floating through the air.


"Boraras Dream" - Bhushan 10 gallon


Shaded Gradient Background
Are ideal backgrounds acheived by either purchasing/making the color gradient yourself, or by photography filters, or lighting effects. Most often scapes like these give a sunrise effect which looks great and adds a new level of appeciation to the scape. Most people I believe use a background like this to capture their aquacsape in a photo for competition or showcase purposes.

"My Homeland" - May 2008 Aquascape of the Month

-John N.

[Norbert Sabat]

Same layout....different taste My old one from 2005

White background


White background with warm lamp


Orange background with cool light


White background with lot of cool light


Night impresion

[kakkoii]

It really depends on the layout. I like white because it gives the aquascape a more natural feeling, Imo, and it hides algae!

[Pat7676]

Norbert i love your scape. Do you have a thread on it?

[Rudi Giacomini]

Norbert please two more informations:
What did you use for backgrounds?? Is it acrilic or paper or what??
Why there is not a black sample? What has keep you apart froom black?

Thanks in advance for any answer :-)

[Norbert Sabat]

No, this is layout from my "aquascape kindergarden" - I started hobby in 2004

Some info about this 48l tank:
AquaDesign Galeria

I didn't use black in this layout because i don't like it....but of course i used black in others layouts. Personaly white is my favorite