No Background?

I started using back grounds since i was first introduced to fish keeping 1970 and never liked the unsightly wires that show through the outer back side of aquarium. I remember my first background was made with crumbled aluminum foil and restreched to cover back side tank area.
 
I never used to have backgrounds just because I'm lazy or didn't even recognize a need for them. They were something I'd see at the store and say "maybe when I have the money to blow." and then promptly forget about. Then last week I had some left over black fleece and I taped it to the back of my 20g. Looks much better than my wall and makes all of the colors (plants, fish, driftwood) really pop out. Kinda like how my eye color popped when I decided to dye my hair black xD

I might put backgrounds on my other tanks, but only if I happen to have something lying around that I can use.
 
The back and sides of my 20 gallon is completely 100% coated with green algae - I just scrape it off the front for fish viewing. Does that count as a background? I kind of like it - a natural soft green background. :)
 
I find the fish look too washed out and silhouetted without a background. Just a plain colour for me though, green or blue; none of these photos of plants or stuff.
 
I dont have any backgrounds on my tanks because I have yet to find one that isn't kinda tacky. I wouldnt mind a black background but I dont think I want to mess with paints and I'm not sure what I can use as a adhesive that is safe on a acrylic tank.
I am planning on looking into something though because I'm tired of seeing my cords!
 
I've got a black background on just about all my tanks. I think I have a mirrored background on one of them. I think they bring out the colors of the fish better than not having one. I did make the mistake once of putting the background inside the tank instead of outside. Fish kept getting stuck behind it. It was a mess.
 
Ok, this thread has inspired me to quit being so darn lazy. My 29 gal is no longer backgroundless. One mini foam roller brush and one bottle of Apple Barrel black glossy craft paint, and I now have a black background. No mess, no fuss, looks great! Plants and fish pop out, no more ugly cords to see.

Now, what would you all suggest as a background for a 5 gal mini acrylic bowfront? I wouldn't want to paint the acrylic, and I don't want to tape anything to it, since the sides are visible. Any ideas?
 
I tried it and didn't like it. It was blue. Maybe a different color would look better. The only reason that I can see to use one is to hide the cords. Other than that I think it adds too much of an artificial look. Besides I can use zip ties and other techniques to clean up/hide wires and cords.
 
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