Fish tank background

[Alien_spawn]

I've recently changed my back drop for my tank (found it was to busy) and I've replaced it with a plain blue backing, now the tank is suffering a bit from a mirroring effect

I have white rocks and mainly green plants which are around medium size (not as tall as the tank)

Any tips on how I could reduce the mirroring?

Cheers

 

[thecichlidaddict]

It's more the glass then anything that is mirroring. It was doing the same before but was harder to notice because of the busyness of the background. You can make an internal backdrip, that would eliminate the problem.

 

[Alien_spawn]

Sorry if this sounds stupid but what is a internal backdrip?

 

[thecichlidaddict]

A Backdrip is a typo. Backdrop is really what I meant to say (a background that goes inside the tank. You can make one yourself.

One way to do it is to silicone sand (black moonsand works nicely) to a piece of plexiglass cut to the size of the inside back wall of the tank.

 

[Alien_spawn]

Backdrip!!!--Backdrop? easy mistake to make.. anyways thanks for your advice

I'll look into finding some plexiglass ( i haven't a clue where to get some from?)

DIY shop like B&Q?

 

[kev]

Have you tried planting some tall plants along the back. This should make the take look natually busy and stop some reflections.

Also the position of your light is important as it can cast shadows on the front glass.

Best to have two bulbs (or more) or at least one as close to the front of the tank as possible. May not be something you can change now.

Don't know a lot about it perhaps someone else can advise - could the bulb to too bright?

 

[Alien_spawn]

Not sure I've a Fluval Light glo tank (which is quiet newish with original bulbs) I cannot change positioning of the bulbs which has one at front and one a back on the hood

Unfortunetly I have a big pleccy in the tank that likes to go on the back glass, I've tried to put tall plants there but he knocks them out the way!!!!

 

[Cory Keeper]

A couple of years ago I stuck some cork tiles to the inside of my tank. No more reflection plus it didn't look to 'busy'. It looked good with the driftwood and plants against it.

Just a suggestion, hope it helps!

 

[Alien_spawn]

Another really good idea, keep them coming i'd like to know what other ppl have done as well

Cheers

 

[bogusmove]

You can buy internal backdrops too, i've seen a tank with this stuff in it, and it was quite effective:

http/www.aquaristikshop.de/e_artikel/438302.htm

Looks a bit lame in the photo, but I suppose when it is a little less clean and tidy, with algae growing all over it it works a bit better!

Can you fit this sort of thing inside a water filled tank though?

 

[Alien_spawn]

I'd have to take all the fish and water out and start again, but its interesting that they do these things i didn't know!

 

[Cory Keeper]

I once saw a tank that had roofing slate stuck to the back, that worked quite well.

But whatever type of internal backdrop you use, make sure it's stuck down well with no gaps behind it so no small fish can trapped behind it and die (I learn't that from experience ).

 

[andyt_uk]

the main problem with reflection is that light travels through air, water, and glass all at different speeds, and each of these will bend light more, so if your background isnt perfectly flat or stuck to the back of y our tank you are introducing too much refraction of the light - pretty much like a fiber optic christmas tree, which is where your mirror effect comes from, the light will just bounce about between your backing and the rear surface of the glass.
if you can get the background perfectly stuck down it should be ok

 

[Alien_spawn]

This is what I thought, but unfortunely sercuring the backdrop as tightly as possible did'nt stop the reflections

 

[mjs1]

I dont know if this would work but maybe you could try a coat of matt artists varnish to take the sheen off the backdrip.