Does anybody know where I can get a really nice Amazon background for my new tank? Tere are some available but I don't like them much. They call them Amazon backgrounds but some of the plants are just not from that area. In fact, a lot of the places in the Amazon are very sparse when it comes to plants. The reason being is it so dark, plants just don't grow. I have managed to find what looks like some really good fake Amazon swords. Hopefully when they arrive, they will look as good as they do in the picture. But I am after a nice Amazon background. I don't want plants, sunken boats or things that ancient Greece or the Arizona desert (you know I'm coming from, cacti). I want a background that has rocks on it and nothing else.

Okay, I value everybody's opinion. I found that a few backgrounds that might look okay. Check these three out, which one do you like best?







Only joking:lol:

Don't all rush now with your favourite background:side:

I have found the perfect background. Problem is, not sure where to get it from

Never really been big on backgrounds... Anyone have any insight on the use of one and an increase of overall fish happiness or is it just a decoration?

It is for decoration. When you have forked out over £2000 on the aquarium/filtration/pumps already, spending a little extra on the really nice backgrounds is worth it. Believe me, some of them are absolutely stunning. You can actually make your home aquarium look just as good as the ones you see in the commercial aquariums. Unfortunately, it's not cheap to do it this way.

Pangea has some wicked backrounds, but their really flippin' expensive. That background you posted with the neons is really cool too. If your going for a more 'rocky look' there's some really cool D-I-Y stryofoam backgrounds out there, were you carve rocks out of layers of styrofoam, and then paint it with a cement-aquarium paint mixture.

I think a background would benefit the fish, my fish used to constantly bump into my glass thinking it was water, then I painted myself some neat backgrounds.

If you want, I'll show you some of the backgrounds I painted, they go well with the plants in my tropical tanks. The backgrounds I painted weren't of objects, just contrast...

When I looked for backgrounds for my tanks the only ones the local shops had that were 2ft in height were the black/blue reversible ones so thats what I have. Except my discus tank which is a mirrored background. Looks ok but can be confusing sometimes

I have been looking around on the Internet and found various backgrounds. I have attached a picture of a really nice looking background. The only thing that lets it down the horrible plants attached. Apart from them, it would look fantastic. The only problem, I was quoted around six to £800 for my tank. The guy who runs a shop said he could probably do it cheaper, hasn't told me how much cheaper though. I do think it's quite expensive for what it is. However, my way of thinking is it's going to be a long-standing feature so it's probably worth spending the extra money on it. Haven't made my mind up yet. If I'm going to put the background inside the tank, I obviously have to do it now, there's no way I'm taking all the water and fish out to do it at a later date.

6 to £800 for a background , are you mad!!!!!


I would definatly look for something cheaper!!!

Don't lose any sleep, I have no intention of parting with £800 for a background, no Way Jose

You can make the background yourself if you have the time. It is not that hard. I am not a handyman by any stretch of the imagination but I managed to do it! Homemade backgrounds cost very little.

My background is made from high density Styrofoam and painted with a colored pond sealer. Styrofoam and pond sealer are both cheap, add insulation to the tank and the Oscars can't hurt themselves by bashing into it. You can make any look you want. I will finish my web page and show how I made mine...

OK - I have added details and pics of background construction.

Available at:
www.geocities.com/safishkeeper/amazon/amazon.html