What's the consensus on those printed backgrounds?

[Aquavaj]

Thinking of trying the blue ones with the light rays. Do they look tacky and fake? Never tried them before and wanted something different from black.

 

[Waters]

I personally don't like them for the reason you stated. I much prefer just a painted blue or black background.

 

[Aquavaj]

I personally don't like them for the reason you stated. I much prefer just a painted blue or black background.

Will the common latex wall paint work? Never painted before either since all my previous tanks came pre-painted.

 

[shred5]

Just get some vinyl.
It goes on easy and can be removed if you change your mind.
There are places that sell it for a hobby but expensive. You can get it at local sign shops or Vinyl wrap for cars.

 

[KWT]

If you find something you like the looks of, then use that. You are the one that looks at it every day. Good luck

 

[burningmime]

There's 3D backgrounds like this that go inside the tank: https://www.universalrocks.com/fish/backgrounds/custom-backgrounds/cavern-wall-background If you're into that "wall of rock" look, but don't want to actually stack a ton of rock on the back, this can be an option.

 

[afboundguy]

I've wanted to do something like in this video and curious if anyone has done something like that with their reef tank? You could easily DIY by purchasing one of the kits on amazon that are for background lighting on a flatscreen TV and some white thick poster board... I saw it on a FW youtube video when I was researching for a friend to help him set up a FW tank for his kid... Only drawback would be you'd have to keep the rear of your tank clean...

 

[Waters]

Will the common latex wall paint work? Never painted before either since all my previous tanks came pre-painted.

Yes, regular latex paint works fine.