PlanetCatfish.com

When setting tanks side by side should you paint 3 sides,2 or does it matter?

I normally just tape a sheet or paper between the two tanks to remove visability between them.... A lot quicker and cheaper than painting

The up side of taping paper to the side is it's removable! If you separate the tanks, just peel the sheet off!

So then you are saying cover 3 sides then correct?

If you prefer a background, yes. You can also paint the paper for the background.

I am indifferent about using a background for my benefit, I am asking on the behave of my fish.

Truly, beyond the paper between the two tanks, it is truly up to you. I have a 10 gallon tnak with a crumpled tin foil background and it looks nice, the fish don't seem to mind. But in my 20 gallon, I don't have a background, I don't see this change fish behavior at all.

I've heard that backgrounds make the fish feel more secure. They will come out of hiding more often if they can't see things moving all around them.

I personally have never used a background until I sent up my new 75G tank this weekend.

I think it makes the tank look more presentable, if you have company over. I'm not sure on how the fish feel but I have also heard that it makes them feel more at ease. The fish can definetly see whats going on outside of their tank.

bettinacharlotta wrote:I've heard that backgrounds make the fish feel more secure. They will come out of hiding more often if they can't see things moving all around them.

I also heard of this that is why I asked.

It will depend on the fish. i have a 6x2x2 tank with large fish next to a 2x2x2 with small fish that i am growing. The sides are clear but i have had to put something there as the larger fish keep on raming the glass to get the small fish.

The catfish appear to be ok but the large cichla and arowana
are always attacking the glass and stressing. After a few attacks you can see the differance in the cichla's markings where he is stressed.