Internal removable curved background?

[Island John]

Source: https://bjornandannette.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wp-waikiki-aquarium-09.jpg

Hey!

I found this photo as an example from the Waikiki Aquarium. Has anyone tried a removable, internal aquarium background? A thin, curved piece of tinted plastic, like that used to make outdoor signs, inserted between the back of the aquarium and the aquascape. Can also bend it to cover the sides of the aquarium if going for the public exhibit-style, which I like because it removes the back corners. I feel like I remember reading about this in Sprung & Delbeek's "Reef Aquarium Vol. 3", but I don't have the book available now.

Would it make cleaning easier? Just pull out the sheet and soak/scrub when coralline starts to build up. I'm one of those people who thinks a clean background helps keep the focus on the aquascape. And removing the back corners from view helps further the illusion of "open ocean" behind the aquascape.

Curious to hear your thoughts!

 

[revhtree]

Source: https://bjornandannette.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wp-waikiki-aquarium-09.jpg

Hey!

I found this photo as an example from the Waikiki Aquarium. Has anyone tried a removable, internal aquarium background? A thin, curved piece of tinted plastic, like that used to make outdoor signs, inserted between the back of the aquarium and the aquascape. Can also bend it to cover the sides of the aquarium if going for the public exhibit-style, which I like because it removes the back corners. I feel like I remember reading about this in Sprung & Delbeek's "Reef Aquarium Vol. 3", but I don't have the book available now.

Would it make cleaning easier? Just pull out the sheet and soak/scrub when coralline starts to build up. I'm one of those people who thinks a clean background helps keep the focus on the aquascape. And removing the back corners from view helps further the illusion of "open ocean" behind the aquascape.

Curious to hear your thoughts!

I am also one that loves the look of a clean background. That being said I'm not sure in the longevity of what you're proposing. Would is not be difficult to remove and re-insert? What would keep it from floating up even if it were just a little.

 

[Island John]

Great points, I realize in my mind this has a bit more specialized application, it won't work as easily with all tanks. The thin PVC sheets are slightly negatively buoyant, but still can get pushed around with flow so it is best to push the bottom edge into the sand and tuck the top edge underneath the tank eurobrace. It is also much easier to remove if the tank doesn't have a center brace.

Just visited the Steinhart Aquarium, thought I'd share a few examples from their exhibits: