My Diy Background-- Having Second Thoughts....

[Chad]

If you cut the backdrop so that it doesn't go all the way down it will leave room for the substrate to be against the glass and not against the backdrop. That way removing it would be simple and not require breaking anything down or really disturbing much at all. 

 

[Aquarian58]

The other thing to consider is that algae, if it's controlled, can add a certain realism to an aquarium.
 
We would all agree that algae on glass is as unsightly as it is undesirable
 
But I have some artificial plants and a few river pebbles in my 20 litre tank which have grown a thin layer of green algae over the last six months or so and I quite like the look of it.
 
The fish (predominantly month old guppies and platties born in the tank) constantly pick at it, as does my Peppered Corie, my Mystery snail (which also has grown a coat of algae on its shell

) and a couple of Malaysian Trumpet snails.
 
As you point out though, julielynn, it comes down to ease of management and I wish you luck if you decide to give it a go

 

[julielynn47]

Yeah, green algae does not bother so much.  It is that black stuff that kills your plants and gets on EVERYTHING....  that is what worries me.  If it were just green algae, I would not think a thing about it. If I had never had black algae, that background would be in that tank now. But just thought of the black...no....I just don't want to risk that.  And even if I did not take it all the way to the bottom, it would still be siliconed in place and still be a very big mess to remove I think.